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Manny Pacquiao leads Team Philippines in Netflix's 'Physical: Asia', rival teams get starstruck

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E. Kristhoff Cagape

<p>Filipino world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao is leading Team Philippines in the Netflix reality competition <em>Physical: Asia.</em></p><p>In a clip released by Netflix on social media, Manny can beseen entering the studio alongside the rest of the Philippine team: mixed martial arts champion Mark &quot;Mugen&quot; Striegl, rugby player Justin Coveney, strongman Ray Jefferson Querubin, Olympic athlete Robyn Lauren Brown, and CrossFit champion Lara Liwanag.</p><p>Participants from other countries including Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Türkiye, Indonesia, and Australia were visibly surprised and starstruck upon learning that Manny would be joining the show.</p><p>In the video, Mannyrecalled his historic accomplishments in boxing. &quot;I became a champion first at 112 pounds in flyweight. After flyweight, super bantamweight, featherweight, junior lightweight, and then lightweight, super lightweight, welterweight, and then at 154 pounds junior middleweight. I became a champion eight different divisions,&quot; he shared.</p><p>On what encouraged him to join<em> Physical: Asia</em>, Manny remarked: &quot;I&#x27;m still passionate about boxing that&#x27;s why I&#x27;m still accepting fights. Timing naman na nagsabi sila na may<em> Physical: Asia</em>, sabi ko, &#x27;Sige, why not?&#x27; My body is still strong so I can still fight.&quot;</p><p>The boxer also highlighted what he and his team aims to showcase in the show, saying: &quot;Ipakita sa buong mundo na ang Pilipino ay laging palaban and talented.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQWXWyriUxr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA=="></a></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQWXWyriUxr/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A1959112.900000006%2C%22ls%22%3A203977%2C%22le%22%3A204799.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1023" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" 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><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Fans online were quick to react to the video.</p><p>&quot;I liked how all the participants from the other countries showed respect and excitement to meet Manny during the intro. They couldn&#x27;t contain their happiness when they met him,&quot; one fan commented.</p><p>According to a press release by Netflix, the new season marks the franchise&#x27;s first-ever international tournament, where elite athletes from eight countries will compete in physically and mentally demanding quests. </p><p>Inspired by Korean royal architecture and mythology, the set incorporates elements such as a judge modeled after a Jeoseungsaja (Korean grim reaper) standing under a giant moon, guardians based on Korean folklore, and monumental strength challenges.</p><p>Producer Jang Hogi explained the inspiration: &quot;Our goal was to harmonize the diverse histories and cultures of Korea and Asia. We chose Geunjeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace (the main hall) as the main motif, a place where foreign envoys were once welcomed, making it the perfect stage to host athletes from across the region.&quot;</p><p>He went on: &quot;Behind the throne at Geunjeongjeon sits the Ilwolobongdo, a painting of the sun and moon symbolizing royal authority. We placed those celestial motifs within key quests to represent the search for a new sovereign of the Physical series. By weaving in traditional music and instruments, we also wanted to share Korean artistry with the world.&quot;</p>

<p>Manny Pacquiao shares what encouraged him to join Netflix's 'Physical: Asia.'</p>

Manny Pacquiao leads Team Philippines in Netflix's 'Physical: Asia', rival teams get starstruck

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Manny Pacquiao leads Team Philippines in Netflix's 'Physical: Asia', rival teams get starstruck

Toff C.

Published Oct 30, 2025 09:21 AM PHT

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