Flonique Guimary

Michael Pacquiao’s girlfriend Joyce Tan Custodio speaks up on age gap

Article (news)

Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<p>Celebrity stylist Joyce Tan Custodio has broken her silence to respond to the rumors and criticisms surrounding her relationship with Michael Pacquiao, the second son of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and Jinkee Pacquiao. Her statement came after online discussions about their age gap resurfaced and drew mixed reactions from netizens. </p><p>Joyce’s name recently circulated on social media after a photo of her with Michael went viral on the social media platform Reddit. The post, which first appeared nine months ago, questioned the significant age difference between the couple.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/12/17/look-manny-pacquiao-celebrates-47th-birthday-in-gensan-with-family-and-friends-1604" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: LOOK: Manny Pacquiao celebrates 47th birthday in GenSan with family and friends</strong></a></div><p>One Reddit user wrote: “His girlfriend is an old family friend, and nagulat ako upon seeing this on my news feed a few weeks ago. For context, Joyce (Michael&#x27;s GF) is in her late 30s, while Michael is 23 (now 24). She used to be Jinkee&#x27;s stylist. Buti okay lang kay Jinkee despite the 15-year age gap.” </p><p>As the discussion became viral again early this year, Joyce became the subject of harsh online comments, with some netizens using hurtful labels against her. </p><p>On January 8, Joyce addressed the issue through a Facebook post. She began by acknowledging the overwhelming number of messages she had been receiving, explaining that she could no longer reply to everyone individually. </p><p>“Sasabog ata MESSENGER ko sa dami nagmemessage but sorry I can&#x27;t answer to everyone 🤭” </p><p>Joyce pointed out that many people seemed more affected by what they were reading or watching online than she was, noting that some of the information being shared was already inaccurate. </p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2Fjoyce.custodio%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0U7ZMoAdwFm8WKZBTDapBa21eEyQPv2B2NPqWtimUxbSsXofherSt34XPNr9PkQyCl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="250" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>“Fyi this is for everyone: My followers &amp; Non Followers- Guys sa mga nakaka panuod ng reels/chicka videos ang cute niyo mas affected pa kayo sa&#x27;kin sa nababasa/napapanuod niyo na minsan halos maling information na nalabas sa news.” </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/11/3/manny-pacquiao-s-son-eman-bacosa-wins-hearts-of-netizens-dubbed-as-piolo-pascual-lookalike-1854" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Manny Pacquiao’s Son Eman Bacosa wins hearts of netizens, dubbed as Piolo Pascual lookalike</strong></a></div><p>Joyce went on to urge people to stay calm and avoid arguing in comment sections. She reminded readers not to carry hate in their hearts over things they read or hear about her, especially since most of the people criticizing her do not personally know her. </p><p>“Relax lang wag po makipag away sa mga ka-comment niyo, don&#x27;t put any hate in your heart whatever you read or hear bcoz&#x27; of me🙏🏽 Life goes on and Deadmah na hindi naman nila ako kilala personally.” </p><p>“Happy New year again✨🙏🏽,” she added.  </p><p>Joyce reassured her supporters that she and Michael are already used to the situation. She added a light remark, encouraging people to focus on improving their own lives instead of engaging in online arguments. </p><p>“P.s. Don&#x27;t worry sanay na kame, magpayaman nalang kayo kesa mag-away-away kayo sa comment section🤭🙏🏽” </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-20" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFZuD2Rvf6o/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A20%2C%22os%22%3A18569714.200000003%2C%22ls%22%3A571934.7999999999%2C%22le%22%3A572400.6%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1059" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-20" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>“And remember God can hear everything he will judge each &amp; everyone of us at the end of our lives so just be kind even if the world is not🫰🏽,” Joyce concluded. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/11/28/manny-pacquiao-meets-his-first-grandchild-clara-god-is-so-good-0944" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Manny Pacquiao meets his first grandchild Clara: &#x27;God is so good&#x27;</strong></a></div><p>While the exact timeline of Joyce and Michael’s relationship remains private, she has long been seen supporting Michael as well as maintaining a close relationship with his family. </p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2Fjoyce.custodio%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0uQMnoxqrM1bhAJhsNR5uHZef5kRJV8HeJ66eucnB45oWDfRa8e1BwXTY5BDQqfcyl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="250" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2Fjoyce.custodio%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02Eg1ssJSV7vKHaY7wzoA1iXwV7ts1Lasmy8mW6Q37eaPfBaXeBgrfnt1NDLojtTYTl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="250" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2Fjoyce.custodio%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02aDwjXbrSP39GdkQ9KtUC2MinLEcw8GUTDALXR6mS916Fy5GCopQUKaQm1g3C23Wql&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="250" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>The couple has traveled together to different countries, including Japan, France, and the United States.  </p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2Fjoyce.custodio%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0HFCSFNJnhwkYHL6sPtNWgn3jjnYz8uB7HdP9NChg8ob9RGzxDU61h8UzDuAnS6JFl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="250" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><p>Joyce has also consistently celebrated Michael’s birthdays on social media, greeting him annually since 2020. Just last December, Joyce marked Michael’s 24th birthday in an Instagram post, where she referred to him as her “2025 plot twist.” </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-21" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DSL9sbqE2_L/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A21%2C%22os%22%3A18573826.1%2C%22ls%22%3A571934.7999999999%2C%22le%22%3A572400.6%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="996" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-21" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>“Happy Birthday🎂to my favorite 2025 plot twist—ups, downs, and everything in between 🤍. Today I’m counting my blessings 🙏🏽, and you’re definitely one of them. Some people have a way of lighting up the world just by being in it ✨—and you’re truly one of those people,” Joyce expressed.  </p>

<p>Joyce Tan Custodio has spoken out to address the criticism and online discussions surrounding her relationship with Michael Pacquiao, following renewed attention on their age gap and connections with the Pacquiao family. </p>

Joyce Tan Custodio has spoken out to address the criticism and online discussions surrounding her relationship with Michael Pacquiao, following renewed attention on their age gap and connections with the Pacquiao family.