Copyright ibtimes
The name Pacquiao is synonymous with greatness, grit, and the unparalleled thrill of the boxing ring. But what happens when that name—and the extraordinary legacy it carries—belongs to a young man growing up outside the spotlight's glare, grappling with his own identity and a complicated family history?Enter Eman Bacosa Pacquiao, the son of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, who recently pulled back the curtain on his life in an exclusive interview with Jessica Soho.His story is one of astonishing maturity, profound forgiveness, and a fierce determination to forge his own path in the sport his father defined. It is a narrative that proves even for the children of global legends, the truest battles are often fought within the heart, and the biggest victories are those of acceptance and love.Growing Up with a Global Icon as a Father: Eman Bacosa Pacquiao's Early LifeEman is Manny's son with Joanna Bacosa, whom the boxing champion met when she was working as a waitress. While the two eventually developed feelings and had Eman, the circumstances of his birth meant that Eman and his mother lived apart from the legendary athlete.In the interview, Eman opened up about the hardship they faced, stating, 'It really wasn't easy. I endured hunger, difficulty, financial problems,' a stark contrast to his father's immense wealth. He and his mother currently reside in a modest provincial home, a fact that has recently drawn significant attention and criticism from netizens.The home Eman currently lives in is reportedly located in the General Santos City area, a city where Manny Pacquiao owns multiple properties. Local real estate estimates suggest the current market value of Eman's modest home is roughly PHP 3,000,000 to PHP 4,000,000, or approximately £42,000 to £56,000 (based on November 2025 exchange rates).Yet, for Eman, the situation was never a source of confusion or bitterness. He credits an early maturity for his understanding of the family dynamic.'The situation was clear to me even when I was little. I matured early because of what happened in my life. I understood that [Dad] already had his own family, which is why I didn't ask too many questions,' he shared in the interview.Despite the distance, Eman's pride in his father never wavered. Being the son of a global sensation was an undeniable source of joy, a fact he readily shared with those around him.'I was extremely happy, my heart was filled. I said, 'Thank you, Lord, for of all the people who could be my father, it had to be him.' I always boasted to my classmates, 'Hey, look, that's my daddy Manny Pacquiao,' he highlighted, underscoring the deep-seated pride he felt even in his formative years.The Path to the Ring: Eman Bacosa Pacquiao's Passion for BoxingEman's interest in boxing began when he was just nine years old, sparked by a local match during a fiesta in the Philippines. Although his mother initially asked him to stop pursuing the combat sport, the passion was clearly inherited and inescapable.The turning point came at age 12, when Eman spent five years living in Japan with his mother and his stepfather, Sultan Dino. It was here that he began to train seriously. Sultan fully supported his stepson's boxing dreams, providing him with the necessary backing to pursue his formidable interest. This period was crucial in shaping Eman into the dedicated young boxer he is today.Upon his return to the Philippines, a momentous event occurred in 2022: Eman finally reunited with his father after a decade apart. It was a deeply emotional encounter that had been years in the making.'We visited Dad, and he let us in, then he hugged me tightly. [He said], 'Son, I missed you. I haven't seen you for such a long time.' Then I hugged him back. I was holding back my tears because I was so happy to see him then... It had been ten years since we saw each other,' Eman recalled.Forgiveness and the Power of a Name: Eman Bacosa Pacquiao's LegacyIt was during this long-awaited reunion that Eman made his intentions clear to the 'People's Champion': he wanted to pursue boxing professionally. Manny's initial reaction, however, was cautious, rooted in his knowledge of the brutal demands of the sport.'I told him, 'Dad, I plan on boxing.' He said, 'Boxing is hard. Just focus on your studies instead. I'll just send you to America,' something like that... I said, 'But Dad, boxing is my passion,' Eman recounted.Moved by his son's steadfast dedication, Manny made an incredibly significant gesture—an offering of his name to accelerate his son's career.'Then he signed my [papers] and said, 'Son, I'll make you a Pacquiao so it'll be easier for you to rise in boxing.' It felt like he was making it up to me. I said, 'Oh my, thank you, Lord.' I went into my room and cried there. I said, 'Thank you, Lord,' he shared.More importantly than the name, Eman and his father had a long-overdue heart-to-heart discussion, leading to a profound moment of reconciliation. 'He also asked for my forgiveness. I forgave him as well. I said, 'Dad, I understand your situation. What's important to me is that I get to be with you and that you support my boxing career,'' Eman relayed, signifying a beautiful coming to terms with his past.This reconciliation has been overshadowed in some corners by the online debate comparing his modest upbringing to the extravagant lifestyle of Manny's wife, Jinkee Pacquiao.Netizens have pointed out that Jinkee's infamous collection of high-value designer bags, such as her $300,000+ Hermès Himalayan Birkin, is likely worth significantly more than the home where Eman currently lives.The estimated total value of Jinkee Pacquiao's luxury bag collection, which includes numerous limited-edition Hermès, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton pieces frequently showcased on social media, has been conservatively estimated by Philippine luxury retailers to exceed £5 million. This would mean the value of her bags is more than 89 times the value of Eman's current provincial home.This stark financial disparity between the two families has fuelled public criticism regarding Manny's prioritisation of his finances.One widely shared comment on X stated:' It's a shame that his wife's vanity is funded 100x better than the roof over his son's head. Pacquiao needs to fix his priorities.' Neither Manny nor Jinkee Pacquiao has officially responded to the criticism or the specific comparison of the bag collection's value to Eman's home.Today, his father is not just an iconic name but an active mentor who fully supports his dreams. Eman recently participated in Thrilla in Manila 2, a commemorative event organised by Manny to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the legendary 1975 bout between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.Eman's victory was a unanimous decision over his opponent, Jr. Pineda, in the super featherweight division.The young boxer emerged victorious in his match, proving that he is determined to carve out his own triumphant space in the sport.The saga of Eman Bacosa Pacquiao is a profound journey from hardship to reconciliation, proving that even the most complex family legacies can be defined by forgiveness and hope. As Eman now carves out his own place in boxing, bearing the iconic Pacquiao name, we are watching the next chapter of an extraordinary dynasty unfold.
