MANILA — Former senator and eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao was conferred the degree of Doctor in Physical Education and Sports, Honoris Causa by the Philippine Normal University (PNU) on Wednesday.
The conferment ceremony coincided with PNU's 125th founding anniversary celebrations
Speaking before university officials, educators, and student-teachers, Pacquiao said receiving the honor during the university's milestone year made it especially meaningful to him.
Students and faculty cheered as Manny received the honor with his wife Jinkee in attendance.
"For me, education has never been limited to what we learn inside a classroom. Education develops the mind, but it must also develop the heart, character, body, creativity, leadership, and spirit of every person," he said.
Looking back on his rise from deep poverty to international fame, Pacquiao described sports as the teacher that shaped him most.
"Sports taught me discipline when nobody was watching. It taught me perseverance when I wanted to give up. It taught me courage when I was afraid. It taught me humility when I won... and it taught me resilience when I lost," he said.
"In boxing, you can be knocked down, but the important thing is that you learn how to stand up again and elevate your vision."
Turning to the future educators in the audience, Pacquiao spoke about how teachers can shape a student's path by recognizing abilities others might overlook.
"Teachers are not simply educators. They are discoverers of potential," he said. "Sometimes, a teacher is the first person who sees something special in a child... Talent should not be limited by poverty. Dreams should not be limited by one's circumstances."
"Believe in yourself. Do not allow your present situation to define your future. Dream big, work hard, remain humble, and never be afraid to start from the bottom... Success becomes meaningful when it is used to help others," he told the youth, citing a Bible verse.
Marcos meets Pacquiao for handover of memorabilia to National Sports Museum
As part of the program, the PNU Choral performed a rendition of Pacquiao's anthem "Para Sa 'Yo Ang Laban Na 'To" and gave him an original sheet music arrangement of the piece.
Pacquiao closed his remarks by dedicating the honor to his wife, family and to the Filipino people, before formally taking his oath as an honorary alumnus of PNU.
Pacquiao was recently appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) lead convener.
Manny Pacquiao is new anti-poverty chief
"I'm excited to do my duty as a lead convener of the Anti-Poverty Commission to help the less fortunate people," he said.
"Nagkita ko sa ating mga kababayan na ang priority ko talaga yung sustainable livelihood. Kailangan nabigyan ng hanapbuhay, na may income ang mga bawat pamilya," he added.
He also addressed Filipinos still struggling with poverty, assuring them the commission is ready to assist.
"Huwag silang sumuko. Nandito lang ang commission. Ito kami para tumulong sa inyo," he said. "Sa abot ang makakaya na maabot kayo at matulungan."
Pacquiao linked the appointment to the reason he entered public service in the first place, saying his own experience with poverty informs how he approaches the role.
"Yan yung pinaglalaban ko mula noon. The reason na dyan ako sa pagsiservicio sa politics is because of the reason I want to help them, yung mga kung saan ako nang galing, yung mga buhay na pinagdaanan ko. Ako mismo naka-relate kahit hindi nila sabihin sa akin yung naramdaman na alam ko yan because I've been there," he said.
Manny Pacquiao eyes expansion of boxing gym after opening flagship in LA