Manny Pacquiao pays it forward

PACQUIAO. New sideline as game-show host.

“Organized chaos.” That was our first reaction to the fan hysteria that characterized Manny Pacquiao’s recent visit to Davao City, where he taped for the sixth telecast of GMA 7’s variety cum game show, “Manny Many Prizes.”

Knowing that we were going to chat with a global boxing superstar, who also happened to be a congressman, it didn’t come as a surprise for us to see uniformed men surrounding the Davao City Recreation Center.

Warm reception

Acknowledging the warm reception he got from the crowd, and speaking alternately in Tagalog, Cebuano and English, Manny later told us that, after receiving so many blessings in life, it was time to pay it forward: “Gusto ko talagang makatulong. ’Yan ang goal ng aking bagong show—to make people happy! (I really would like to help. This is the goal of my new show, to make people happy!)”

Well, help he did—and how! Just before the show’s finale, the 32-year-old pugilist told his star-struck audience that they were all going to get a special treat from him—if the contestant failed to win the P1-million jackpot! So, when the participant drew “only” a P40,000 bounty, Manny gave him P100,000 as “consolation” prize (!), then sent the audience into a tizzy, by giving them 500 bucks each for “pamasahe”—all 600-plus of them!

Pacquiao says his foray into politics allows him to reach out to the poorest of poor. Is the representative of Sarangani aiming for a higher position in government? He disclosed that he and Gov. Miguel Domiguez have agreed to “switch” places in the next election.

With his popularity soaring, you can’t begrudge the celebrated boxer for trying to explore other endeavors. Recently, we were surprised when it was announced that his recording of Dan Hill and Barry Mann’s 1977 ballad, “Sometimes When We Touch,” has cracked the Top 20 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart!

Pacquiao owes his good fortune to boxing—and he intends to keep it that way. The eight-division, WBO welterweight champion is Ring Magazine’s Pound-for-Pound King.

Manny says his anticipated match against WBC welterweight champ, Floyd Mayweather Jr., is no longer an impossibility. But, the Pacman doesn’t take things for granted, and foremost on his mind right now is his Nov. 5 rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez.