Pacquiao recalls being a construction worker in early days of boxing career

Manny Pacquiao has come a long way in his career.

He is not just a Philippine sports icon and a legend in boxing. The eight-division champ also tried his hand in politics and served as a congressman and senator.

But at one point in his life, Pacquiao was a construction worker early in his boxing career.

In an episode of Surprise Guest with Pia Arcangel, the former senator recalled that he entered a construction company to complement his earnings from boxing.

"Yes, nagtatrabaho ako sa construction habang nagba-boxing ako dahil para may makain. Wala akong makakain, kasi ang fight naman once a month or once in two months, tapos ang premyo ko ano lang P1,000.00 so kailangan ko magtrabaho sa construction para may makain ako," Pacquiao shared.

"Ako kasi ang bumubuhay sa pamilya ko, so para may maipadala ako dito sa Gen San, sa mama ko, para may pangkain sila tsaka pag-aaral ng mga kapatid ko, so ako nagpapaaral din sa kapatid ko."

Eventually, Pacquiao learned that he could be a professional boxing champion and he dreamt of being one since his amateur days.

"Ano na yun, latter part na ng buhay, ng career ko sa amateur na na-realize ko na ay pwede pala akong maging champion. Na-realize ko na nung time na 'yun... Medyo may kaalaman na ako about boxing na there is a champion, mayroon palang champion diyan, may professional, may amateur, and then kumbaga nag-widen 'yung knowldege ko about boxing," Pacquiao shared.

"Kaya since then, nangarap ako na 'Uy gusto ko mag-champion' at matulungan ang magulang ko lalo at makabili kami ng sarili naming tahanan, at matulungan ko ang magulang ko at mapagtapos ko sa pag aaral ang kapatid ko," said the boxing icon.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News