Eman Bacosa Pacquiao opened up about growing up knowing about his famous father and shared how he felt about reconnecting and being acknowledged by boxing legend Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao.
The 21-year-old deadringer to his famous father spoke about his growing up years in Tagum, his early knowledge about his parents’ complicated situation, and determination in following his father’s footsteps in the world of boxing.
Eman grew up with his mother, Joanna Bacosa. He was told that Joanna met Pacquiao while working in Manila.
‘Nagka-developan, ako na po ‘yung bunga. Simula bata pa ako, kilala ko na po na daddy ko si Manny Pacquiao,’ Eman told Jessica Soho in an interview that aired Sunday, November 9, on the broadcast journalist’s lifestyle show, “Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho.”
He was so proud of his father that he would boast about him. He acknowledged the benefits of his famous last name, but also its disadvantages.
Bullied
Eman opened up about being bullied while growing up. In fact, he faced one of his bullies in his early fights, but he lost. He was nine when he started boxing in a fiesta in Tagum, Davao.
Soho asked why he was bullied, and Eman was told because he was the son of Pacquiao. It was hard for the little boy, who would be ganged up on. He would even plan an escape route just to flee his bullies.
‘Kasi daw anak ako ni Manny Pacquiao. Tapos minsan sasabihin nila, ‘Tara, suntukan tayo.’ Pero paglabas ko ng gate, wala na – bubugbugin na nila ako. Araw-araw po ‘yun. Minsan tatakas po ako sa likod ng paaralan para maiwasan ko sila,’ Eman said.
Eman said he understood his parents’ situation. Manny was already married to Jinkee Pacquiao.
‘Nung maliit pa po ako, naintindihan ko na ang sitwasyon. Maaga po akong na-mature sa mga nangyari sa buhay. Naintindihan ko po na meron siyang sariling pamilya, kaya hindi na ako nagta-tanong,’ Eman said.
Longing for his father
Growing up with his mother away from his father, Eman shared his hardships early in life.
‘Hindi po naging madali talaga. Tiniis ko ang gutom, hirap, financial problems,’ he revealed.
He acknowledged Manny’s help from time to time, whom he said provided for him.
Joanna and Manny’s relationship, however, ended. Eman did not give details on how and when, but he shared how he felt about their separation.
‘Nung una nasaktan ako. Kaya nung bata ako lagi akong galitin. Naiinggit ako sa ibang bata, lalo na tuwing Father’s Day. Nakikita ko na kasama nila ang mga papa nila.
‘I’ve always longed for my father’s love ever since I was a child. I barely know him. Sabi ko, ‘Lord, sana makasama ko man lang siya ng buong araw – o kahit saglit lang – nung bata pa ako,’ Eman said.
New life in Japan
Joanna married another man, but it, too, ended. The turning point came when Joanna married Sultan Ramir Dino, whom Eman said was like a father-figure to him.
Dino, who admitted that he initially did not know about Eman’s paternity, said he treats Joanna’s children like his own. It was Dino who supported Eman’s dream to become a boxer.
The stepdad and the young boxer would sneak boxing practices at night, while Eman studied during the day in Japan. Joanna was against Eman pursuing the sport that made his father famous because she found it dangerous. But Eman had been dreaming of doing boxing since he was a little boy.
Joanna eventually agreed.
Joanna and Eman lived with Dino in North Cotabato, where the 21-year-old boxer would diligently wake up to run 10 to 15 kilometers per day to build his stamina and do shadow-boxing and sit ups, routines that are quite familiar to many of Pacman’s fans and followers.
Acknowledged
Eman first used his mother’s maiden name in his initial matches because he was not yet acknowledged by Pacquiao.
The turning point came in 2022 when he visited Pacquiao after 10 years of not seeing each other.
It was at this moment that he opened up to his father that he wanted to be a boxer. Pacquiao initially discouraged him because he knew the difficult life of a boxer. The boxing icon even offered to let him go to the United States instead of pursuing boxing, but Eman knew he wanted to do it.
‘Nak, gawin kitang Pacquiao para mabilis pag-angat mo sa boksing,’ Eman shared, recalling a conversation with Pacman.
‘Parang bumawi siya sa akin. Sabi ko, ‘Hala, thank you, Lord,” Eman said.
The show flashed a copy of a birth certificate, which shows an annotation that revealed that Manny has acknowledged Eman as his son. It read that Eman is to be known as Emmanuel Bacosa Pacquiao, named after Manny’s real name, Emmanuel.
‘Pasok po ako ng kwarto. Doon po ako umiyak. Sabi ko, ‘Lord, Thank you, Lord.’ Nag-usap ng heart to heart. Humingi na rin po siya ng tawad sa akin at pinatawad ko na rin po siya. At saka sabi ko rin naman po sa kanya na naintindihan ko ang sitwasyon ninyo. Ang importante lang sa akin ay makasama kayo,’ Eman said.
His relationship with Pacman’s wife, Jinkee, is good. Eman said they talk from time to time. His paternal grandmother, Mommy Dionesia, even thinks him to be his dad’s lookalike.
‘Gusto ko rin maging world champion gaya ng daddy ko. Kung hindi man eight-division, maging undisputed champion,’ he said.
He maintained his clean record: 7 wins, 0 loss, 1 draw, 4 knockouts after fighting in one of the matches in ‘Thrilla in Manila 2.’ The event is organized by his father in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first Thrilla in Manila fight featuring Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
Eman said he is also pursuing boxing for his mother, to prove to people that she is a good person who raised him well. His mother is a pastor at their church. He himself reads the Bible every day and night, and even is a musician in their church.
Joanna, in turn, has put the past behind and hopes the interview with her son will be received well.
‘I am still hoping for the best na para ito sa kabutihan ng anak ko itong interview, lalo na po kina Sir Manny, Ma’am Jinkee. Ayoko na pong magka-issue. Kasi minsan mga tao dapat walang issue, pinag-aaway-away na nila. At saka tungkol sa past, naka move-on na po ako,’ Joanna said.
For her son Eman, who is rising in his chosen field of boxing, he wants to be more than his famous last name.
Soho pointed out the pressure of bearing a legend’s name, but Eman is focused on his goal.
Despite his other newfound fame, where online users have noticed his good looks and called him ‘Piolo Pacquiao,” a reference heartthrob actor Piolo Pascual, Eman is laser-focused on boxing and proving his own worth on the ring.
‘Focus po ako fight. Hindi po ako nagpapadala sa pangalan kasi at the end of the day, hindi naman po ako si Manny Pacquiao. Ako naman po si Eman Bacosa Pacquiao,’ Eman said.