Manny Pacquiao

Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao Sr., born on December 17, 1978, is a multifaceted Filipino icon known for his remarkable achievements in boxing, politics, and entertainment. Widely recognized as one of the greatest professional boxers of all time, Pacquiao, affectionately nicknamed 'PacMan', made history by becoming the only eight-division world champion in the sport. His illustrious boxing career includes twelve major world titles and the distinction of being the first boxer to win championships in four of the eight 'glamour divisions'.

In addition to his boxing prowess, Pacquiao ventured into politics, serving as the representative of Sarangani from 2010 to 2016 before being elected as a senator of the Philippines, a position he held until 2022. His political journey saw him lead the PDP–Laban party and declare his candidacy for the presidency in the 2022 elections, although he ultimately lost to Bongbong Marcos. Following a brief return to boxing after an unsuccessful Senate campaign in 2025, Pacquiao announced his retirement from politics.

Beyond the ring and political arena, Pacquiao has made significant contributions to sports as a player-coach in the Philippine Basketball Association and as the founder of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. His talents extend to the entertainment industry, where he has starred in films and released multiple music albums, achieving platinum status. Notably, his rendition of 'Sometimes When We Touch' reached the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

Pacquiao's influence transcends sports and politics; he is also a dedicated Evangelical Christian preacher, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. His legacy continues to inspire many, as he was recently recognized as the greatest Asian athlete of the 21st century by ESPN and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2025.