Pacquiao likens self to Jeremy Lin, Tim Tebow during Bible study

Sarangani congressman and world-renowned boxer Manny Pacquiao compared himself to New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin and New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow, saying that God sent the three of them to help people believe in the Word.  

In a Bible study conducted Tuesday at GMA Studio 7, Pacquiao said before a crowd, “Why Jeremy Lin? Why Tim Tebow? Why Manny Pacquiao? Gusto kasi ng Panginoon, gusto Niya na maniwala tayo sa Kanyang salita. Ginagamit Niya ang mga sikat na tao para madami pang madala sa Kingdom of Heaven.”   Prior to that, Pacquiao made references to the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 13, Verse 8, which reads, “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines and troubles,” and connected that to current events, before saying that he, Lin and Tebow were sent to help people on Earth become closer to God.   It was the latest manifestation of a so-called ‘new Pacquiao,’ a persona that he himself referenced in his talk. He said that he was no longer the ‘old Manny Pacquiao,’ who prayed on Sundays and before meals, but went about his business from Monday to Saturday. “Ayoko [nang] bumalik dun, gusto kong sumunod sa tamang daan,” he said.   The one-hour talk by Pacquiao centered on reasons to read the Bible. Before and after the talk, Pacquiao joined a choir of GMA staffers in singing praise songs.   After the talk, Pacquiao also put to rest rumors of him retiring from boxing, saying, “Hindi pa ako magreretiro. Tuloy pa rin ang boxing ko.” Last week, Pacquiao revealed in a radio interview that he would not stay long in boxing, because of a dream in which God told him to retire. — RSJ, GMA News