Ang mapapait na karanasan ni Eman Pacquiao bago pasukin ang boxing | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho Podcast

When I was young, I already knew my father. When I was young, my mother told me, that he was my father. Tell us about how you met your grandmother. She said, Ma, your grandson, why do you look different?

That was the time when we talked. Hello, Mommy, I'm Manuel, your grandson.

What did Mommy say to you?

Daddy looks exactly like me when it comes to my personality.

People call you Piolo Pacquiao.

Yes.

Because you also look like Piolo. Whatiao. Yes. Because you look like Piolo. What can you say about that?

I was happy when I heard that because I didn't think about it. I was just focused on the fight. Your mom is usually bashful. Yes. Why? What does she say? That's why you made Pacquiao look like that because he's a bad guy. Yes, things like that. I said, that's not true. I was so confused because they said I was a thief.

I said, that's not true. Why are you saying that? You don't know my mom.

You're going to get beaten up, but you're going to beat your opponent. How can that be fun?

When you win, you'll feel like you have a story. Because people and my mom used to think that I was a pig. So I told my mom, look at what boxing has given us. Let's live a good life. People used to respect you for being a pimp. Is Jinky okay? I was respected by people back then who just treated me like a kid.

Is Jinky okay with you?

Eman, how are you? I'm fine.

You won, right?

Yes.

How does it feel? You're on stage, and your dad, what do you call him? Daddy. Your dad is next to the President.

My dad introduced me to the President. He said that I'm undefeated and that I'm his boxer. Wow, how does it feel? Your father raised you well. Of course, I was happy. And I'm thankful to God that I was given that opportunity. Okay. Is Jinky okay?

We're fine. We sometimes talk. Because some people are intrigued because he's there. No one is intrigued? No one. You're okay? Okay. there. No intrigue? No.

You're okay? Okay. That's good and clear. Eman, tell us how your life changed. When you were young.

When I was young, I started boxing when I was 9 years old.

9 years old?

Yes. When I saw my dad's Daddy and Shane Mosley, that's when I got inspired, I got interested in boxing. Then I joined a fiesta in our place, in Tagum, so I could have the experience of trying boxing. Then I fought one of my school bullies.

Oh, the one who bullied you?

Yes.

You fought him? But I didn't know that he would be my opponent. All I knew was that there was a fight. Then? Then we fought for three rounds. He beat me because I ran out of air.

I was still of air. I was still young then. I won 200 pesos and I gave it to my mom.

What did your dad tell you?

Did he ask you why you weren't together? What happened? When I was still young, I understood the situation. I matured early in my life. I understood that he also has his own family. I didn't ask him why he has this and that.

Did you talk to him about this?

Yes, heart to heart. What did he say? Can you share? She also asked for forgiveness. I forgave her. I told her, Dad, I understand your situation. It's important to me that you are together, that you are together. I am also thankful for your support in boxing. But I understand that your life wasn't easy,

your mom's life, since you were a kid. What do you remember? I remember my mom, after I finished boxing when I was 9 years old. We visited my dad. We went to his birthday, to her mansion.

In Jensan?

Yes. We went to Jensan. We went there. I waited at the gate with my mom for a few hours. Why? What's the story? Maybe my dad didn't know that I was there.

Or maybe when I talked to the guard, I couldn't reach Eman.

Okay.

You were named Eman, right? Yes. Emanuel. Yes. That's his name.

And Eman was your nickname? Yes. You look alike.

Thank you. People call you Piolo Pacqu singer. Yes. You look alike. Thank you.

People call you Piyolo Pakyao.

Yes.

Because you look like Piyolo. What can you say about that?

I was happy when I heard that because I didn't think of it. I was just focused on the fight. Then, people told me that I look like a Piola Pacquiao. How is that? If you can become an artist,

because you look like an artist.

I'll just endorse it and model it.

Why? Why do you want to box?

That's my passion. That's what makes my heart happy. When I box, I can give meaning to my life and my mother's. I can show the world that they are wrong to think that my mother is not a bad person. My mother is a God-fearing person. She raised me with a good heart. She never showed me any arrogance.

What is your mother's story to you? My mom told me that she met my dad in his workplace in Manila. He was a waitress there. And my dad happened to go there. He had some games there. I met them and we developed.

They raised me. I can be a father to anyone. I'm an 8th division world champion. Wow. So even though their situation wasn't good, you were still happy that your father is Manny Pacquiao.

Of course. I'm proud. Did you tell him? Yes, I love him so much. I'm proud to be his father.

Do you think you can handle his strength? Yes.

Because that's what they say, right? That his strength is strong. My strength is God-given. It's also from the discipline. How about you? Is your strength hand? Are you strong in boxing? Glory to God, I'm strong. That's what my uncle always says. Your dad and auntie Jinky's eldest son, Jimuel, is also a boxer.

Yes. How did that happen? I heard that Jimuel was already boxing in 2023 or 2022. I read that he's already boxing. What can you say about that? I'm supportive. I'm happy that he also saw his passion in life.

Did you see Jimuel in the boxing ring? I only saw him when I was young, when my dad had his birthday.

But now that you're older, you haven't seen each other yet.

We only saw Michael. How was he? He was fine.

Was Michael also going to box?

No.

No? Just Jimuel?

Yes. So, there are two boxes in boxing now. Yes. Is it possible to do boxing down there? No. No? Just in Sujimuel?

So, there are two boxes of boxing now. Yes.

Following your father's footsteps. Yes. Is that okay for you?

It's okay. I'm not supportive of those things. I'm not jealous because my mom taught me to always be content with what you have. Made in Japan? Yes.

Correct? Yes.

So your grandfather is Japanese.

Full Japanese. Yes.

And your mom went to Japan because she's a Japanese descendant.

Correct?

Yes.

And you went to Japan too? Yes. I went to Japan when I was 12 years old. I studied Japanese there for 5 years. I learned how to speak and write. That's where I started and continued my boxing career.

Ah, so in Japan. Because when I was 9 years old, like what I told you, I joined a party. My mom stopped me because she didn't like boxing. Here? When you were still here?

Yes. But in Japan, you studied boxing, right?

Yes.

My mom allowed me to support her in boxing.

But at first, you were just a kid, right?

Yes. My dad and I were just kids. After school, we were watching TV at night. When my mom found out, she was so angry.

What are you doing to my son?

Because from the start, your mom didn't want you to box.

Because it's dangerous. But when you were booked and you were studying to box in Japan? My mom just supported me.

She had no choice.

I also admitted that I have a passion for boxing. She supported me in boxing. I think that's my passion. Do you think that your passion for boxing came from yourself or from your father, Manny Pacquiao? It really came from me. We have Japan, I can study there and work. Boxing is my passion. I'm happy when I'm in the ring. Really? Yes.

So maybe you inherited your father's genes.

Yes.

Is that so?

Maybe.

Maybe that's why you inherited your love for boxing.

Yes.

Because in Japan, they're also good at training boxers, right? Yes. I know there are strong boxers who were fighting against the Filipino boxers that day. So what's the difference between boxing in Japan and here? The difference in Japan is that they're very disciplined when it comes to training. They're not restricted in time, it's not allowed. They're strict on the time and training. Here, when there's training,

sometimes, if it's late, the start is at 1AM, it's usually at 12AM.

Filipino time, really.

But there, it's 1AM.

Yes, 1AM.

So, you know how to speak Japanese, right, Eman? Yes, I do. Okay, sample us. Okay, so please give us a sample. I just know how to say, Thank you very much.

Okay.

We'll start with, Konnichiwa, my name is Bakoza Emanuele. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.

Thank you very much.

The correct way to say it is, Yoroshiku. Yoroshiku, wow.

You can even write? Yes, I can. Wow.

So, how are you studying? Are you boxing now? I'm currently doing ALS. Oh, you're doing ALS.

What level are you at?

Eleven. Grade eleven.

Grade eleven. What courses are you in? Grade 11.

What courses are you taking? Engineering in vehicles.

Mechanical Engineering.

So, your dream is not only boxing, you also want to be an engineer. Yes, I like cars.

You like cars. What did you win last time? Lightweight. 135 pounds. 61 kilograms. Who did you beat? Nico Salado.

Was he strong?

He was strong compared to others. I can feel his punches. That's why I don't really answer. But where did you get it? On my face, on my body, on the counter.

Does Manny teach you?

Yes, he teaches me. He teaches me to learn my mistakes, my footwork, more on training, speed, footwork.

He didn't tell you where his strength came from?

His strength came from his family because they didn't have food. From the hardships he went through?

How did that happen? Did you go through that?

I went through it. That's why I understood it. I also appreciated life because my parents supported me in my boxing. So your dad said that's why he has strong hands because he carried all the hardships and hardships that he went through. So you, in your opinion, you also went through that,

because you also went through hardship, right?

Yes.

Your life wasn't easy?

It wasn't easy, really. I was like ordinary boxers, I experienced hunger, poverty, financial problems. How hard was it for your mom? To be honest, it was very hard. When I was 5 or 6 years old, my mom was in Japan.

We were only allowed to eat after school. We finished school, and my first stepfather was the father of my three siblings. He was the one who took care of us. But when my mom called from Japan, she asked if we were doing okay, if we could eat here. My stepfather told my mom's ex, that there's Wi-Fi here, we can eat. He didn't know, we almost ran out of food.

We would go home in the morning, we had no food. Sometimes, he would go home drunk in the morning without food. Sometimes, he would go home drunk and beat us up. So your stepfather abused you? Yes, he was my first stepfather. Yes, he didn't feed you properly and he would even hurt you. He would beat me up more. He would drink and swear. and you're still getting hurt? He was more into drinking and gambling.

Your mom was sending money?

She didn't know that all the money would be spent on drinks. She didn't know that I would come home without food. I would go home and beat up my bullies at school. They would beat me up. I would home with a scar on my face. I went home without food. My stepfather beat me up again.

I appreciated the life that we were saved by our parents. I was 12 years old. My mom took us there. So you grew up under the beating. Yes, that like that.

Is that why you want to be a boxer? To be able to fight, to be able to fight, no matter what?

No, it's just to give my family a better life. They won't experience that again. And I will be able to achieve my life's goal. You didn't get hurt? You want to fight with the bullies? I achieved my life's goal. You didn't get hurt. You didn't get bullied. You didn't have that kind of motivation.

That's why you joined boxing.

Yes.

Boxing is just my passion. I also want to help my family. Just like Manny, right? He also struggled with poverty and his family. So, your life story is the same.

Yes.

Yes.

It's not as if we're really the same, but I also experienced what my dad went through. So, when I see him, I understand what he went through. All of what I went through is necessary for me to become a good boxer. I'm sorry, but didn't your father support you? Didn't your father support you when you were a child?

He supported me from time to time. But not as in everyday.

Not regular? Yes. Sometimes, when you're earning?

Yes. But now, she's supporting me in my dream of boxing, so I appreciate her.

As in she's giving you money for your training?

Yes. She's giving me back so I can reach my dream. She's giving you back for for the things I didn't do for him.

He's trying to make up for the things he didn't do for you.

Like I said, I forgave him and he's supporting me.

Okay. Why do people who bullied you, call you a bully?

Because I'm the son of a thug. Sometimes they say, let's fight. When I go out of the gate, they beat me up.

Wow, because you're the son of a thug, they bully you. They challenge you to fight.

Yes. That's how it is. Every day, I run to the back of the school so I could avoid them. It's good that you're still smiling while you're telling me that. It hurts, but the past is the past.

What's important is that my Lord is in my heart. He gives me the assurance that I don't have to worry. I can see your suffering.

I saw a video of you and your dad introducing you to Mommy D. Tell us about it. What happened?

That was the time that my mom and I decided to visit my dad again since we were already back in the Philippines from Japan. Oh, you were already back from Japan. Yes. I said, I want to do boxing. I know my dad would help me. So, my brother and I, my stepfather, we were allowed to enter the house. My dad hugged me tightly. He said, son, I missed you. I haven't seen you for a long time.

I hugged him. I was holding back my tears. I was so happy to see him. I will never forget that moment. He said he missed you because you were in Japan for a long time. Yes.

And then?

We didn't see each other for 10 years. Yes. And then? I told him, Dad, I plan to do boxing. Can you support me?

He said, son, boxing is hard. You need discipline, dedication, hard work, and perseverance. It's hard, son. Just study. Go to America, and do this and that. I said, But dad, boxing is my passion.

Because I feel like if I don't do this, dad, I'll regret it. So, when I got into boxing, my heart was so happy.

You're kidding. In exchange for boxing, he'll send you to America. You chose boxing?

Yes.

But now, I'm studying for ALS.

Oh, wow.

Tell us about how you met Mommy D, your grandmother. That was when we visited. I met Mommy D there. She said, Ma, Ma, your grandchild,

Huh?

Why is your face different? Mommy D said. Why is your face different? Oh my, you really have a different face. Your face, your face different? Oh my, you really have a different face. Come here, you're a little bit old.

Yes, and then? Then, she introduced me to Mommy D. Mommy D was happy. You really have a different face. That was the time we talked about it. Hello, Mommy, I'm Manuel, I'm your grandson.

What did Mommy D say to you?

She said, Daddy looks like me when he comes to the funeral.

So, Mommy D is okay with you?

Yes, she's okay.

What do you want to achieve in boxing, Eman?

Of course, first of all, I want to be a world champion like my dad. Or if not to be an 8th division champion, I want to be an undisputed champion. Undisputed champion.

Undisputed. Because your father was an 8th the 8th division, right?

You, you only want to be in that division? Not only one, God willing, three to five divisions, and undisputed. It's hard to pass the 8th division, right? Yes, it's not a joke. How do you feel when you box? I'm happy, I'm thankful that God gave me this opportunity.

And whenever I box, I remember my past so that my fight will be solid. I can't relate. It feels good. You're going to bounce back. No, the opportunity.

You're going to bounce back, but you but you'll be overwhelmed by your opponent. How can you be happy?

When you win, you'll feel like you have a story. Because what people and my mom thought of me back then, you know, the thought that they don't speak ill of you, but they think that they're being treated like a pig. So I told my mom, look at what God has given us,

give us a good life, respect the people who used to treat you badly.

For your dreams.

Yes. Wow.

When we saw you at the gym, Manny was doing an exercise on one side, and you were on the other side.

You were also boxing. Yes, that was the time I was teaching my dad if my movements were right. I asked him if I could join the training. I joined the training and I was like, I felt like I was going to die.

It was so hard to do the training.

It was so hard to do. And he would play basketball after, right? You can do that too.

I can do that. You can do it. You managed to get here You've already reached your weight category, right? Yes.

What's your category now?

Lightweight. I've also fought a few boxers. In my fifth fight, I think, I've already adjusted to my weight. Because I'm too big when I'm lifting. What do'm... You're gaining weight? Yes. It's hard to manage my weight.

Oh, I see. My normal weight is 145. And I'm going down to 135. Okay. So, what's the ideal weight for you?

135. 135. 135.

But you're getting taller.

Yes.

You're taller than Manny, right?

Yes. Your mommy is probably taller.

There's no fracture there. No.

Where is your strongest part of your body? Here in... In your stomach. Yes. In your stomach. It's like your father, right? Yes. Where is your strongest part of your body? Here in my chest. In your chest, just like your father, right?

Yes.

Where is your weakness?

I'm trying to strengthen my weakness, so when it comes to fighting, I'm not that...

He doesn't want to say. It's a secret.

It's a secret.

He's weak. Your father is known for his strong punches and speed. Can you do that?

I can, but I'm still learning. My last fight, I showed my true style. In my past fights, I would do doing my best, I got tired easily. I was getting carried away, and I was doing it at the wrong timing. My punches were not hitting the target.

But how was that, Eman? Of course, your father has his own style. He was your inspiration. But you should have your own style, right?

Yes, I have my own style. You can't just copy what he does, right? I just use my style sometimes when I think that my opponent didn't realize that this is his dad's style.

What's that style?

The job street job, the side step, and then that. That's what Pacquiao did, right? Manny's it was called a sidestep. So, Eman, you had three father figures in your life, right?

Manny, your first stepfather who was a boxer, and now, your uncle, what do you call him? Papa Sultan. Papa Sultan, who also supported you to become a boxer, right? Yes. How was it that you had three father figures in your life? Daddy Manipakyoko.

I was happy because of course, out of all the fathers I could be, I'm a division world champion. The second one is traumatizing. I won't mention it, but the time we were beaten up. We couldn't eat properly. The time we almost died when we were kids. I didn't think we would live to see that. Our stepfather taught us how to be a true person, how to have respect.

He was the one who made up for your loss.

Because there were ups and downs, but there were also those who were very supportive. He was our father figure. We felt that this is how it feels to have a true father. We felt the true love of a father. When you look at your life, that you have had such experiences, What can you tell us, Eman?

I used to question God about why this was happening to us. Sometimes, I would get angry, Why is this happening? We are good people, we are not bad. But when I grew up, I understood when I understood that the Lord had a plan for my life. Until I started boxing.

That was my strength to get up and go boxing. All the pain you went through, you went through boxing, right? Yes. How are you now? Do you feel light that you went through this?

That you overcame it?

I feel light because I realized that I'm not this strong now, personally, if I didn't experience it, maybe I didn't appreciate the things in life that I didn't go through. And since I was young, I already knew my father. My mother didn't hide the fact that he's not my father. When I was young, my mother told me that he's my dad.

So you watch all of your dad's games?

Yes, I watch all of them. How does it feel when you watch him and you know that he's your dad? Of course, I'm so happy that my heart is filled with joy. I said, thank you Lord, I can be a shepherd for all of you. When I was young, I always brag to my classmates,

Hey, look, Daddy is the one who manufactured this.

That's my daddy. That's my daddy. But you were bullied because of that.

Because of that, I was bullied too. Because you were challenged to a fight. Yes, a fight.

It's really hard, right?

It's hard. There are benefits to being a Pakyo, but there are also disadvantages. But your first nickname you used was Bakosa, right? Why? Because that was the time when I wasn't acknowledged by my dad. And then, what happened after? And then, like what I told you, in 2022,

When you came back from Japan?

We visited my dad, and he missed me. That's. She acknowledged me there. Then? Then she signed my name, I'll make you a boxer so you can improve your boxing skills faster.

Oh really? So she allocated it herself? Yes. You used her name?

Yes. She came back to me and I said, Thank you Lord. Really? She made me do everything, lawyers, etc. He signed that I am Manuel Pacquiao.

I am accepting.

Wow!

He knew you after a long time. Yes. And when you were already in boxing. Yes. when you were already in boxing. So it's like, what do you call it? So it's like he read what he had. Not just his name, but also the name he made in boxing, right?

So how did you feel that day? Do you remember?

I was very happy. I can't explain it. But I was very happy. I was thankful to the Lord. I went into the room and I cried. I said, Lord, thank you, Lord. Thank you so much, Lord God. I don't know what I would do if You are not there. Thank you, Lord. Thank you.

But there was pressure, Eman, that you were the son of Pacquiao. Yes, because the expectations of people are really high.

Yes. How did you manage?

I was just focused on the fight. I didn't care about the name because at the end of the day, I'm not Manny Pacquiao, I'm Eman Bacosa Pacquiao.

How is that? You look like Piolo Pascual. If you get punched in the face, if you get your nose back, how is that? This is your face card. Do you call it a GEN-C? Face card, right? How is your face card? It's boxing. You'll get punched in the face.

Ma, it's okay. I'm used to it. When I was young, I was bullied.

You practiced a lot.

I got a lot of punches in my face. But here in Trila in Manila, in Araneta, Eman, it's still written Bacosa. Yes.

Why?

Like I said, I want to fight for my mother. I don't want to bring a gun because that's what I want to show people that whoever you are, as long as you have a dream in life and you have God, you can achieve everything. Because when I train, I have specialties. Whatever other poor boxers experience, I really train. Because during sparring, I'm really bloodthirsty.

Sometimes, my teeth get cut, it's really deep. Your mother is usually bashful? Yes.

Why? What did she say?

She said, you pushed Pacquiao because he's a bad guy. Stuff like that. So I was hurt. I was angry. I was young. I said, that's not true.

Why are you saying that? She doesn't know my mom. Especially now, you're getting famous. Is there still someone bashing your mom? There is still someone. But I will continue boxing

because I want to prove to them that they are wrong. Like my last fight, I'm not like other boxers who are arrogant. I just want to raise my family and glorify the name of the Lord. My mother is not a bad person.

So to those who are out there, I'm talking to you. Stop that. Focus on your own life. To your mother, Eman, do you introduced me to God first in my life when I was young. To your dad? To my dad, yes. I'm so thankful that he's the one who brought me up.

I'm so thankful that I have a father who's a pastor. I'm so thankful that I have a mother who's a nurse. I'm so thankful that I have me to God first and foremost in my life when I was young.

To your dad?

Dad, thank you so much for your support in boxing, for giving me the feeling that you love me so much, even though you don't show it. I know, I feel it. To your father, the Sultan, what is your message? Father, thank you so much for being our father, father figure.

For letting us feel how it is to have a true father, for loving us and for considering us as your children.

Just one question, do you have a girlfriend?

No, I don't. Currently, I don't. What is your prospect of wanting to be a girlfriend? Secret.

Secret?

You're the only one who knows. Thank you, Eman. Thank you, Eman.

Thank you.