'Pambansang Kamao' Manny Pacquiao responds to Drake’s parody video

"Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho" is a weekly news magazine show hosted by Jessica Soho, one of the most awarded broadcast journalists in the Philippines. For more information, follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Many of you might have wondered how Manny Pacquiao feels about Canadian rapper Drake’s impersonation of the eight-division world boxing champion turned politician and soon-to-be basketball player.

Wearing a wig and a goatee similar to Pacquiao’s, Drake sang “Let It Go” from Disney’s animated movie “Frozen” in a skit entitled “Manny Pacquiao Sings.” The video went viral shortly after it premiered at the ESPY Awards on July 17 (Manila time).

The rapper also mimicked the boxing champion’s Filipino accent, which gained mixed reactions on social media.



Exactly one week later, a cheerful Manny Pacquiao faced veteran journalist Jessica Soho for an interview at his house in North Forbes Park, Makati.

It’s the first time he has responded to the brouhaha involving Drake. Pacquiao said he has seen the video several times already and — guess what? — the boxing champion just laughed the thing off. “Tumawa na lang ako (I just laughed),” he said.

“Raket lang niya 'yun (That's just one of the things he does to earn money),” Pacquiao added, seeming cool and unaffected about the viral video.

And to finally end all the fuss, Pacquiao gave “Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho” a sample of “Let It Go” original Pacman style.

“Drake, this is how you sing it,” the Filipino boxing hero said in jest.
 

What’s next for Pacquiao?

Before his boxing match against Chris Algieri on November 22 at the Cotai Arena in Macau, Pacquiao is set to be the playing coach of one of the newest Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) teams, Kia Motors.

When asked why he still wants to venture onto the hardcourt despite his already jampacked schedule, Pacquiao’s answer was very simple: “Gusto ko ma-exercise ako (I just want to exercise).”

Pacquiao, who is an honorary member of the NBA’s Boston Celtics, has been playing basketball as cross-training to keep his body in condition. He is also involved in other sports like badminton, table tennis and volleyball.

Regarding his political plans for the 2016 Philippine national elections, the Sarangani representative said it is too early for him to decide.

“Hinihintay ko pa ‘yung wisdom, knowledge na ibibigay sa akin ng Panginoon (I am still waiting for wisdom and knowledge from God),” he said.

Stronger relationship with God

When he rose to popularity in the early 2000s, Pacquiao was admired for being a devout Catholic — wearing a rosary, praying and making the sign of the cross before his matches.

His mother, Dionesia Pacquiao, shared the same faith. Instead of watching her son on the boxing ring, she chooses to lock herself in a prayer room with religious images.

Evidently, the public got surprised when Pacquiao became a born-again Christian in 2012. He ditched his Catholic faith and became an evangelist, a move that initially angered Mommy Dionesia and caused quite a commotion in their family.

Pacquiao, in the interview with “Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho (One at Heart, Jessica Soho),” said he and his mom are currently on good terms although he still continues to make her understand why he chose to leave the Catholic faith.

“Ang importante, nasa Panginoon ang relasyon mo, hindi sa relihiyon (What’s important is your relationship with God, not your religion),” he said

Isn’t it ironic that he hurts people in the ring then preaches the Word of God to other people after?

“Diyan ako dinala para makilala sa buong mundo. Alam kong may purpose ang Panginoon sa akin (That [boxing] is where fate took me so that I can be known worldwide. I know that God has his purpose for me),” the boxing champion explained.

Pacman also proudly shared what he learned now that he claims to have a stronger relationship with God: “[Ang Panginoon] ang tunay na kaligayahan. Kapag wala ang Panginoon sa iyo, lagi kang nag-iisip ng material things (God is the real source of our happiness. If you do not have God in your life, you will always think about material things.).”



Family matters

Among his many responsibilities, being a father to his five children remains one of Pacquiao’s greatest roles. His youngest child Israel, who was born two weeks after his second fight with Timothy Bradley Jr., is now three months old.

He might be busy juggling different ventures at once but Pacquiao still finds time to be with his kids. “Kapag nandoon ako [sa bahay], hinahatid ko sila sa school. Palagi ko silang nakakasama (Whenever I’m home, I bring them to school. We’re always together),” he said.

Pacman even gets to share babysitting duties with his wife Jinkee and Israel’s yayas. “Kinakantahan ko siya [Baby Israel] ng lullaby (I sing him a lullaby),” he happily said.

The 35-year-old boxing champion looks like he has a lot on his plate, but he considers everything as a gift from above: “‘Yun ang blessing ng Panginoon (That is God’s blessing).” — JDS, GMA News