Manny Pacquiao free essay sample

With a better understanding of Pacquiao, many would be able to grasp and acknowledge how a boxer/fighter can be an idolizing leader as well. Pacquiao’s Personal Background Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao, also known as Manny Pacquiao, was born on December 17, 1978 in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines to Rosalio and Dionesia Pacquiao. He is the fourth among six siblings in which his mother had to raise by herself starting from the time Pacquiao was in sixth grade due to marriage separation (Chua-Eoan par. 4). This affected Pacquiao in a way that forced him to leave home at the age of 14 and drop out of high school due to poverty and his mother not making enough money to support the family (Chua-Eoan par. 8). He moved to Manila and lived, at a time, on the streets (Chua-Eoan par. 8). He started boxing and soon enough made the Philippine national amateur boxing team. He was just sixteen years of age when he began his professional boxing career (Chua-Eoan par. We will write a custom essay sample on Manny Pacquiao or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 11). From then on out, Pacquiao would rank up in different weight divisions and soon enough became legendary known. Even though he’s still continuing to make his mark in his boxing profession, he’s playing an active role in politics as well. He is the only active boxer to become a congressman in the Philippines (Chua-Eoan par. 3). He is currently married to Maria Jamora with whom he has four children and is residing in Kiamba, Sarangani, the hometown of his wife (Chua-Eoan par. 5). Pacquiao is among those individuals whose childhood/family life affected their education when growing up. Pacquiao seemed almost obligated to drop out of high school due to the impact of poverty and living within a household that contained many children with only one parent supporting. Times were rough, however in February of 2007, Pacquiao passed a high school equivalency exam making him eligible for college education and was rewarded with a high school diploma by the Department of Education (Chua-Eoan par. 9). He continued on to get a college degree in business management at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU) in his hometown in General Santos City (Esplanada par. ). In preparation for his career as a lawmaker in the House of Representatives, Pacquiao enrolled in the Development Academy of the Philippines Graduate School of Public and Development Management (Chua-Eoan par. 10). Despite his age, Pacquiao was determined to go back and complete his high school education setting up to be an excellent role model for children, youth and adults that feel like it is too late to finish s chool. As the saying goes, it’s always better late than never at all. Political Influences and Development With no doubt in mind, one can assume that Manny Pacquiao has a list of names of those who have inspired him in his profession in boxing, but however it is quite intriguing to know who has influenced him politically. An important figure who played an influential role on Pacquiao was former Filipino Senator and Governor of Tarlac, Philippines, Benigno â€Å"Ninoy† Aquino (James 180). Aquino himself was an active politician and left a lasting impression on the Philippines during the time of former President Marcos’ regime. Although Aquino had different political goals in mind compared to those of Pacquiao’s, what Pacquiao found admiring of him was his candidness and sincerity (James 182). Aquino was a strong, determined individual who was willing to jepordize his seat in office and even his own life to stand up for his country. However, the one major influence and reason that led Pacquiao to get involve with the government and politics, would have to be the people of his country, specifically those living in poverty in his hometowns (Collins par. ). If it weren’t for his own childhood experience, Pacquiao wouldn’t have the urge to give back to the community. Since that is not the case, Pacquiao continues to help those in desire need without having to think twice. Within the same time after obtaining his high school diploma and college degree, Pacquiao announced that he would be running for a seat in the House of Representatives in the May 2007 legislative election as a candidate of the Liberal Party, aiming to represent the 1st District of South Cotabato (James 174). Sadly, he was defeated in this election by Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio. In the following year in September 2008, Pacquiao became a member of Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (KAMPI), a pro-administration political party (James 174). The next year on November 21, 2009, Pacquiao confirmed that he would run again for the congressional seat, but this time for Sarangani province, the hometown of his wife (Balana par. 1). Within a year, on May 13, 2010, he was officially proclaimed congressman of the lone district of Sarangani trouncing his rival by nearly 60,000 votes (James 178).