MANILA, Philippnes - At the recently concluded bout with Shane Mosley, eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao had not only shown his fighter dexterity by successfully defending the WBO welterweight title in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday (Manila time), he once again revealed the different facets of his personality.
Outside the ring and without the boxing gloves, these other sides to Pacquiao have indeed won over the hearts of not only the boxing supporters around the globe but non-sports fans as well.
The fighter as singer
Hours after fighting Mosley, the boxing superstar hurried to Mandalay Bay for his post-fight concert where he performed with his very own MP band; he likewise dished out a few songs alongside renowned singer/songwriter Dan Hill. While his punishing punches in the ring were met with much fervor from his followers, his performance received the same warmth from his audience as he sang his favorites "Sometimes When We Touch" and "Somewhere Down the Road."
The victory party was joined by Pacman’s family, as well as local and international friends. Among his guests were the '80s balladeer David Foster and reality show-star and hotel heiress Paris Hilton.
“I thought it was an incredible fight, I was a huge fan of Manny Pacquiao so it’s an honor to be up here with a beautiful couple and he did amazing,” the socialite told the crowd, as reported by “TV Patrol” on May 9.
Pacman the philanthropist
It wasn’t just about Pacquiao setting a fashion trend on the ring, but rather, his yellow gloves symbolized his solidarity in battling the country’s long-standing problem against poverty. Beyond his lavish lifestyle, fame and success, he keeps his feet firmly rooted to the ground by humbly offering to donate a good amount of his winnings to a non-profit organization responsible for creating new homes to displaced Filipinos.
“Nakikipagugnayan na tayo dun sa Gawad Kalinga, 'yung nagbibigay ng pabahay sa mga mahihirap; at syempre makikipag-ugnayan rin tayo sa ating bise presidente na makatulong tayo sa mga kababayan natin,” Pacman shared his plans in another interview with "TV Patrol" on the same day.
Manny, the son and provider
Manny’s feat against "Sugar" Shane Mosley did not in any way deter his mother, Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao, in making public her appeal for her son’s retirement despite the unstoppable surge of his career.
To this Manny simply responded, through another "TV" Patrol interview hours after the fight, “Yung mama ko naman syempre nagaalala 'yun kasi magulang, pero para sa kin kaya ko pa naman. Lalong lalo na itong laban na ito, hindi naman tayo masyadong nasaktan, hindi tayo nabugbog. Ok pa naman, so pwede pang ano, kasi sayang din naman kasi income pa rin para sa pamilya.”
The serious lawmaker
While detractors continue to question his capabilities in fulfilling his congressional duties, the Pambansang Kamao’s recent victory does not, in any way, mean he has given priority to his boxing career over his job as Sarangani representative.
In a May 9 interview with "24 Oras," Pacquiao again underscores the importance of his elected post. “Trabaho ko 'yun kaya kailangan kong gampanan, tamang-tama, start na ng session namin paguwi ko.”
The excitement and influence that Manny Pacquiao brings to his followers, no matter what age, race and social status, is truly a testament to how much he has achieved in his life and why he is a source of inspiration to Filipinos and people around the world.
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