Talking about multiple talents packed into a single person? Manny Pacquiao is a name that comes up in the first few of the list. Born on December 17, 1978 in Kibawe, Bukidnou, Phillipines is not just known for his boxing skills, being a professional boxer, but is also famous for being a part in Basketball, Acting, TV hosting, Singing and now even in the world of Politics.
Born to a family of 8, Pacquiao’s parents separated when he was in sixth grade, encircling his father’s infidelity. Even though he completed his elementary education at the Saavendra Saway Elementary School in General Santos, he had to drop out due to extreme prevailing poverty in the family and left home at the age of 14.
He was raised with and around with the Roman Catholic faith and is a very active Evangelical Protestant practiser and as per news reports and articles, it was evident that his belief in God was strengthened due to a dream he once encountered. Pacquiao is married since May 10, 2000 to Jinkee Jamora and is a proud father to five beautiful children, Emmanuel Jr. , Michael Stephen, Mary Divine Grace, Queen Elizabeth and Israel. At present, he lives in Kiamba, Sarangani, his wife’s hometown, as because he is a congressman of the lone district in the same place.
In recent Years, he appeared in a high school equivalency exam and successfully passed the same and later enrolled himself in the Notre Dame Of Dadiangas University to study Business Management. And the journey didn’t stop there, he later enrollee himself in the Certificate Course in Development, Legislation, and Governance at the Development Academy of the Philippines for the strengthening his career as a lawmaker in the House of Representatives.
Living off on the streets made Pacquiao choose boxing where he made the Philippine National Boxing team and his accomodation expenses were paid for by the government. Losing a close friend was yet another kick to the set off of the Professional career at the mere age of 16. And that’s when it all started and there was no looking back from there.
He has fought from Light flyweight to fly weight to super bantam weight to feather weight to super featherweight, light weight, welter weight anf the list is never ending and not only that , he has shone through each one of the categories and won against most of his opponents, Marquez IV, Bradley II, Mosley et. cetera to name a few.
Not only boxing, he has outshone in the field of basketball where his professional career kicked off in the year 2014 and its still going strong and uninterrupted and he plays under the Boston Celtics. Even with criticism and back lash, when he put forth the interest in becoming a playing coach for an incoming team, namely Kia Motors basketball team under the Philippines Basketball Association for the 2014-15 season.
He started his acting and media career as an extra in some local films and cameo appearances on ABS-CBN shows. He has starred in several movies, his first lead role in the movie, Lisensyadong Kennao (licensed fist) in the year 2005 and since then he has starred in several movies and appeared as host on several shows too.
He has done various and a numerous number of documentary films and lend his voice to several records and songs too.
Pacquiao’s political career ensued when he announced that he was standing in the election for a seat in the Philippine House of Representatives, with the wish to represent 1st district of South Cotabata province. He ran for the congressional seat in the Saranagni province in the year 2009 and then officially proclaimed in the year 2010. Pacquiao formally declared running for the Senator in the 2016 elections and eventually won it.
With all the fame and recognition, comes a price to pay. Pacquiao was not someone devoid of controversies, but a quite a lot of shenanigans, the tax evasion controversy being one of them. On November 26, 2013, Pacquiao’s bank accounts were blocked due to probable failure in paying of taxes amounting to 2.2 billion against all his earnings from his fights in his boxing career, the raid ensued by Philippines Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Later where even his properties were issued to freeze by the BIR but later with evident paperworks, the issue was resolved. But the controversy just doesn’t end there. From holding an upfront image of a womaniser to his demoralising and negative controversial comments on Same Sex Marriage and LGBTQ+ rights, he has faced a lot of criticism for his choice of words, when comparing two homosexual people marrying each other to nothing less than animals.
From fighting several lawsuits to keeping up with yet so many steroid allegations, Pacquiao’s media image is not at all like that of a transparent sheet but very opaque and controversial.
Manny Pacquiao has achieved an estimated net worth of $250 Million according to Forbes.
Quick Summary:
Full name: Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao.
Date of Birth: December 17, 1978
Birth Place: Kibawe, Bukidnou, Philippines.
Age: 37
Profession: Professional Boxer, Professional basketball player, Actor, Singer, TV host, Political figure.
Height: 5 ft. 6 in (1.68m)
Weight: 70kg (155lbs)
Net Worth: $250 million
