Boxing champion and Philippine Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao didn’t disappoint when he recently visited his birth hometown Kibawe, Bukidnon.

A total of 1,600 Kibawe residents received cash and aid from Pacman himself during an event held at the new Kibawe Municipal Dome located beside the town’s gymnasium.

Pacquiao personally handed Php 1,000 cash to previously identified recipients. The cash, according to his staff, was the senator’s own money. Pacquiao’s relatives, meanwhile, were given a higher amount.

The recipients in Kibawe comprise the largest group the senator has ever extended assistance to.

Aside from the cash, each beneficiary also received 8-kg. rice pack, sardines, and noodles. One thousand of them also received marinated Chooks to Go chicken.

“The food packs have been given. The cash can be used for medicine maintenance, milk, and vitamins. This is not stolen. This is from my boxing career,” Pacquaio told the crowd.

He also said that he began helping people in his personal capacity since 2004. This was even before he came a politician. Pacquiao’s first foray in politics was in 2010.

Pacquiao also narrated the hardships his family experienced while living in Kibawe.

“We were very poor. Our house was made of coconut leaves and if blown by a giant, it will turn upside down. Sometimes our family had nothing to eat. Root crops helped us a lot. But when we moved to General Santos, we had more trouble because there were no more root crops. It was then that I had just joined boxing for the Php 50 prize,” he said.

The boxing legend also explained that he visited Kibawe because it is his “birth hometown” and “is so special” to him. He said he will come back soon.

Pacquiao was born on Dec. 17, 1978, in Sitio Pagan, Brgy. Magsaysay, Kibawe, Bukidnon. His Certificate of Live Birth was handed to him in a simple ceremony by the incumbent Brgy. Chairman of Magsaysay after the distribution of the aid.

Bukidnon 3rd District Rep. Manuel “Manoy” F. Zubiri also acknowledged Pacquiao for his great contribution not only in Kibawe and the entire country as a boxer but also as a Senator.

Zubiri’s fellow Bukidnon Paglaum Party stalwarts Kibawe Mayor Reynaldo Ang Rabanes, Bukidnon Vice Gov. Rogelio N. Quiño and Manolo Fortich Mayor Clive Quiño also attended the Kibawe event. (with a report from Bukidnon Online special correspondent Mel Madera)

• First Photo courtesy of Chris Curt Quilab
• Second Photo courtesy of Manny Pacquiao team

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