Pacquiao Watch: Manny’s higher calling

Rep. Manny Pacquiao’s reported renunciation of his vice-ridden past revealed a largely unreported and uncharted private persona of one of the most celebrated iconic figures in the Philippines – one that is far from the God-fearing humble young man who rose from abject poverty to become a billionaire and a popular icon for the Filipino people that he is still today.

It took an own admission and public repudiation of his ‘sinful past’ for the press to take full notice of what they largely ignored from the world boxing champion in their efforts to protect his public image.  Some even glossed them over if not deliberately turned their attention the other way to be up close with one of the best copies and story sources in the country and the sports world during the last five years or so.

Over the last four months, Pacquiao is showing signs of personal transformation, even publicly announcing it.   First, he publicly admitted before wife Jinkee that he had been ‘bad’ in the past which perhaps included infidelity. Then he turned himself into the bible.  Last week, he was reported to have finally given up his fighting cocks numbering over 1,000, renounced gambling and sold shares he owned in one of the casinos in Manila.  He also vowed to stop womanizing.

To cap these all, Pacquiao said he will retire from boxing, a sport he said is an anathema to his newfound calling in the bible, next year.

At 33, Pacquiao is entering into the realm of what many consider the crossroad of one’s mid-life.

His kids are growing up and need him to be at their side as they trod the path of childhood to adolescence.  He needs to become their father.

READ MORE: http://asiancorrespondent.com/75937/pacquiao-watch-mannys-higher-calling/