Emmanuel "Manny" Dapidran Pacquiao, PLH (/ˈpæki.aʊ/ PAK-ee-ow; Tagalog: [pɐkˈjaʊ]; born December 17, 1978) is a Filipino professional boxer and politician, currently serving as a Senator of the Philippines.
I've always fought for my country, in my own way, showing that Filipinos are a strong people and can do anything that they put their minds to.
I always ask myself, what do I need to prove? I won the fight.
I want to prove that he's wrong - he's wearing a t-shirt that says he won the last two fights.
I could see he was having problems taking my punches. I had no problem taking his.
We pray everyday. We read the bible everyday, so everybody's happy.
My family moved to the Philippines when I was 14. While living there, I learned that my mom grew up very poor. Seeing that kind of abject poverty firsthand during my travels deeply shaped my life. Seeing those living conditions motivated me to want to tell inspiring stories of struggle and triumph.
Theres 3 things you need to remember in boxing, work hard, work harder, and work hardest
I wanted to be a world champion.
I’ve worked in construction, in a factory sewing clothes. I also sold flowers and doughnuts - just odd jobs to try to make 10 pesos, which is equivalent to 20 cents.
I know everyone in the Philippines is happy.
Nothing personal - I am just doing my job.
I can't walk down the streets. It's very difficult. I can't go to the mall. I have to go to hotels just to have a meal. Everybody wants to say hi and say thank you and congratulate me, so it's very difficult.
I'm just appreciative of everything that has happened in my life. I'm overwhelmed, sometimes, by this. When I see where I grew up and the places I've been, it puts a smile on my face because of all the people there I can help. I give them food; I give them money; I try to provide them with a good lifestyle, and do the best I can because that's where I came from. Those are my people.
I'm just a regular person who believes life is simple, and I like a simple life.
Right now I’m inspired to fight for the honour of my country.
Imagine what I would have done with my fire-breathing fists.
A fighter's dream is to win a world title and gain financial stability. But what is happening to me now is the most humbling experience of my life. It is a great honor for me to be the face of my people and to let everyone know we are a small but mighty country. I have great pride for all of the Filipinos living throughout the world and it is these people that I fight for each and every time I step into the ring.
It's very relaxing for me to sing. It's a good break from the hard training and the fighting.
You train hard and I'll train hard, and may the best man win, and good luck to both of us.
I grew up in the Philippines, and I don’t think there is a problem with the typhoon. It’s normal for us.