Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao, known to all as Manny Pacquiao, has achieved so much when it comes to his boxing career.

Pacquiao started his professional boxing career in 1995 at the age of 16. His early fights usually took place in small venues and it was not always a good one. He has to go thru a lot of challenges, gain weight, winnings, defeats, trainings to achieve where he is right now.

Pacquiao's big break came on June 23, 2001, against IBF Super Bantamweight champion Lehlohonolo Ledwaba. Pacquiao stepped into the fight as a late replacement and won the fight by technical knockout to become the IBF Super Bantamweight champion on a bout held at MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada. He defended this title four times and fought to a sixth-round draw against Agapito Sanchez in a bout that was stopped early after Pacquiao received a headbutt.

To date, Manny Pacquiao is the Reigning WBC Lightweight Champion, Reigning WBC Super Featherweight Champion, Reigning RING Super Featherweight Champion, People's Featherweight Champion, 2003 – 2005, IBF Super Bantamweight Champion, 2001 – 2004, WBC Flyweight Champion, 1998 – 1999, with 52 Fights, 47 Wins (35 by way of Knockout), 3 Loses, 2 Draws

From then on, life has changed greatly for Manny. In 2006, a movie based on his life has been produced. Not only that, he was able to come up with a record album with the song “Para Sa’yo ang laban na to” (“this fight is for you) that became a big hit in the Philippines. He was also seen in various commercials and product endorsements.

Able to meet him personally for a short time in General Santos City during the tuna festival was a great honor and privilege.

Daigdig Pinoy (DP): What preparations do you make before a fight?

Manny Pacquiao (MP): Intense training, focus on my work and my determination to win during the fight.

DP: What is your inspiration when you fight?

MP: My inspiration is my family, and the Filipinos that are supporting and praying for me.

DP: Message to the Generals and to our readers?

MP: Thank you to all your support and especially to all the Generals. I would also like to thank and congratulate the organizer of the Tuna festival for its success. Tuna Festival is celebrated every year, so I would like to invite the tourists to visit GenSan, it is truly a beautiful place.

The proud Generals leave their work, chores, and other activities every time Manny Pacquiao has a fight just to watch him on TV. Jing Velos of the tourism office said, “You will see nobody in the streets of GenSan during his fight. It is declared a holiday and we are all gathered together to watch his fight.”