Jaehwa Bernardo

Manny Pacquiao (right) hands over some of his memorabilia from previous matches to the National Sports Museum. He is joined by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left). Screenshot from RTVM

Article (news)

Marcos meets Pacquiao for handover of memorabilia to National Sports Museum

Jervis Manahan

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771931423978Marcos Pacq.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Manny Pacquiao (right) hands over some of his memorabilia from previous matches to the National Sports Museum. He is joined by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left). Screenshot from RTVM"/>Manny Pacquiao (right) hands over some of his memorabilia from previous matches to the National Sports Museum. He is joined by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left). Screenshot from RTVM</div>MANILA (UPDATED) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has met with boxing legend Manny Pacquiao for the handover of his memorabilia to the National Sports Museum. Pacquiao turned over some of his treasured memorabilia for the museum inside the PhilSports Arena.First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and officials of the Philippine Sports Commission were among those who attended the event.&quot;What can I say about Manny Pacquiao and his boxing career that hasn’t been said before? Because lahat – all the superlatives that can possibly be used, all the praise that can possibly be had by an athlete have already been heaped upon him and well deserved,&quot; Marcos said in a speech.&quot;And today, we are given the opportunity to be in his reflected glory. Dahil alam naman natin that – there is no other boxer – nalampasan mo pa pati si Muhammad Ali eh – there is no other boxer, there is no other athlete, for that matter, who gained the plaudits all around the world and of course in the Philippines,&quot; he added.While Pacquiao and Marcos Jr. were opponents in the 2022 presidential elections, the Chief Executive still praised the boxer, considered as a legend in Philippine sports.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/7/pacquiao-says-he-supports-programs-of-marcos-jr-administration-2302" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">READ: Pacquiao says he supports programs of Marcos Jr. administration </a></div>Marcos spoke about how he admired Pacquiao.&quot;Gaya ng sabi niyang salita, these are the souvenirs or the memorabilia from my journey. But more importantly this is the Filipino people and he has never forgotten that. And that was always a source of admiration dahil maraming Pilipinong sumikat sa iba’t ibang – hindi lang sa boksing, pero sa iba’t ibang… Kung minsan parang hindi na nila – parang hindi na Pinoy ‘yung kausap mo eh. Parang nakalimutan nila ang pagka-Pinoy nila, nakalimutan nila doon sila lumaki, nakalimutan nila doon sila sumikat,&quot; Marcos said.&quot;Ngunit si Manny never, never mo mararamdaman ‘yan. And you cannot find a more humble, a more devoted, and God-fearing person than Manny Pacquiao. Kaya no matter how many – gaano kasikat siya, gaano kakilala,&quot; he said.He called the &quot;Pacman&quot; a &quot;champion of humanity&quot; and &quot;a champion as a Filipino.&quot; &quot;He is a champion in all our hearts and he will always be our champion. He will always be our Filipino champion,&quot; Marcos Jr. added.Pacquiao turned over key pieces of his gear to the museum&#x27;s permanent collection, including the fight trunks that he wore during two of defining bouts of his career: his 2009 victory against Miguel Cotto, and his 2010 triumph against Antonio Margarito.Pacquiao&#x27;s win over Cotto gave him a seventh world title in a seventh weight division, while his triumph against Margarito made him the first -- and still the only -- boxer in history to capture world titles in eight different weight classes. Also included in the turnover was a World Boxing Council belt.&quot;These memorabilia represent more than milestones,&quot; PSC Chairman Pato Gregorio said during the ceremony. &quot;They embody Filipino determination.&quot;Pacquiao, for his part, used the program to share his vision for Philippine sports.&quot;I have a proposal for a program for young athletes,&quot; he said. &quot;It’s good for the grassroots levels na ma-develop sila at matulungan sila.&quot;&quot;Sa mga bata pa, malaking bagay ito. Diyan kailangan matuto na sila para iba experience nila sa boxing. Pagdating nila sa 16, 17, 18, hinog na sila sa boxing,&quot; he added.Asked how young fighters can develop the toughness he became known for, Pacquiao said: &quot;Kailangan lang nila isipin nila ay determination, focus lang sila at kumuha sila ng isang bagay na makakapagbigay ng inspirasyon tulad ng family.&quot;Meanwhile, the PSC revealed plans to establish regional training centers as part of a strengthened grassroots boxing program.&quot;We will have one in GenSan, Bukidnon,&quot; said Gregorio. &quot;At least twice a month, may mga competition talaga &#x27;yung mga bata. And the person who will develop that program is Sen. Manny — pinangako niya sa atin ‘yan.&quot;Pacquiao also committed to personally mentoring young athletes whenever possible.&quot;I suggest na I can go kapag may time ako sa iba&#x27;t ibang region, province, city to supervise and give advice sa mga boxers at makapagbigay ng inspiration sa kanila,&quot; he said. Pacquiao is set to have a rematch with another boxing legend, Floyd Mayweather Jr., in September.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/2026/2/24/mayweather-to-fight-pacquiao-in-las-vegas-in-september-0607">READ: Mayweather to fight Pacquiao in Las Vegas in September</a></div>

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has met with boxing legend Manny Pacquiao for the handover of his memorabilia to the National Sports Museum.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has met with boxing legend Manny Pacquiao for the handover of his memorabilia to the National Sports Museum.