MUST-READ: Manny Pacquiao looks back at his humble beginnings
Legendary Filipino boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is the world’s newest WBA Welterweight Champion. In a welcome dinner hosted by GMA for the Pambansang Kamao, he shared an inspirational speech about his life.
The People’s Champ said that it is God’s plan for him to become a boxer to inspire people, and to be a public servant to help others as a steward of the Lord.
“I always recognize God for working in my life as a fighter and as a role model to everyone.
"Alam niyo, hindi ito aksidente kundi ginusto ng Panginoon na maging Manny Pacquiao ako [na] galing sa hirap, bata na nagtitinda ng donut [at] newspaper [at walang] sariling bahay.
"Beyond my imagination na maa-accomplish ko lahat ng ito,” Pacman said before a group of GMA executives and Team Pacquiao members.
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His calling led him to change peoples’ lives and to spread the good news of God, “By being a boxer, iyan siguro ang paraan ng Panginoon to be a role model [with] a purpose to everyone, na may Panginoon na kayang iangat ang isang tao na nanggaling sa baba, kaya niyang iangat sa taas.
"That’s what I learned in life, being [a] successful person. All I have accomplished in life, I always consider God who gives me strength and ability to accomplish all these.”
Senator Manny also chose to be a public servant to help those in need, especially the poor whom he shows compassion for.
“Ito siguro ang task sa akin, beside boxing, to help and serve the people honestly because I feel what they feel.
"Kung ano ang nararamdaman ng mga mahihirap, damang-dama ko sa puso ko because I’ve been there. Naranasan naming wala kaming pagkain, naranasan ng pamilya namin na tubig lang iniinom namin para maka-survive. Can you imagine?” he said in an audience who turned silent.
Amid the hardships that he went through in life, he never forgot to turn to Him, “God is good. Look at my life now with my family. He blessed us so much beyond our expectations.
"I really believe that God has a purpose, and that purpose is for the glory of His name. “