1Pacman energized by Filipinos’ inspiration from boxing champs, heroes

Senatorial candidate Manny Pacquiao and 1Pacman Party-list Rep. Mikee Romero exchange notes on sports excellence for the Philippines.

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino sports heroes share their stories of overcoming poverty and family challenges, highlighting their relentless pursuit of excellence to inspire and motivate the country’s youth.

This is particularly true in boxing, according to sportswoman and entrepreneur Milka Romero, the first nominee of the 1Pacman Partylist. The group seeks to continue advocating for sports development and poverty alleviation in the May elections.

“Our boxing greats have inspired generations of talented individuals, and the narratives of their journeys from poverty to greatness have motivated many to embrace and excel in boxing,” Romero said.

The 1Pacman Partylist—whose prolific record over the past nine years includes a total of 144 bills passed under Romero’s father, Rep. Mikee Romero—affirmed its commitment to continue seeking more action on sports and youth development in the provinces, particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao.

“Not only do the champions inspire the youth, but they also serve as mentors, guiding the next generation of fighters and instilling values of discipline, respect, and perseverance,” the young Romero stated. “Their unity exemplifies the spirit of bayanihan—the Filipino tradition of communal assistance—demonstrating that their success is not just personal but a collective triumph for the nation.”

She referenced the case of Manny Pacquiao, the world’s only eight-division boxing champion who will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June. Known as Pacman by the boxing media and his millions of fans worldwide, he has inspired the current generation of talented Filipino boxers with his legendary rags-to-riches story.

Pacquiao, who is campaigning alongside the 1Pacman Partylist as he seeks to reclaim his old seat in the Senate, has motivated a long list of Filipino international ring campaigners, including Mark Magsayo, Jerwin Ancajas, John Riel Casimero, and even Nonito Donaire Jr.

Donaire, the peripatetic Filipino champion, was born in Bohol and educated in California. He credits his boxing beginnings to General Santos City, the hometown of Pacquiao and another champion from a different generation, Rolando Navarrete, the reputed “bad boy of Dadiangas” (the former name of GenSan).

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The rise of boxing stars from the South has become a phenomenon in Philippine sports. Over the decades, most of the country’s boxing champions and world title contenders have emerged from the Visayas and Mindanao.

“Past and present world champions from the Visayas and Mindanao have created a rich narrative that transcends the sport of boxing,” Milka Romero said. “They provide great inspiration for the advocacy of sports and youth development that 1Pacman pursues. Our aim is certainly to cover the greatest number of sports that Filipinos can claim, and we have proven time and again that there are many sporting fields where Filipinos can truly excel. But it is certainly worth taking a good look at our boxing glory,” she added.

The Visayan dominance in boxing began in the early 20th century with the legendary Pancho Villa, born in Ilog, Negros Occidental. Villa became the first Asian to win a world boxing title, claiming the flyweight championship in 1923. His tenacity and skill in the ring inspired countless Filipinos, igniting a passion for boxing across the Visayas and Mindanao.

Following him was Ceferino Garcia, who introduced the “bolo punch” to the sport. Born in Biliran, Leyte, he moved to Cebu City and worked as a bakery worker, like Pacquiao, before taking up boxing. In 1939, he won the world middleweight title, becoming the only Filipino to win the title in that weight class.

Then came the legend Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, one of the greatest boxers in Philippine history. Hailing from Bogo, Cebu, Elorde had a career spanning two decades. In 1960, he became a world champion in the junior lightweight division. Elorde’s charisma and sportsmanship also endeared him to fans. He is remembered for his humility and dedication to nurturing young talent in the sport.

Elorde, Villa, and Garcia will be joined by Pacquiao in the illustrious roster of champions in boxing’s Hall of Fame. However, between Villa and Pacquiao lies a long list of Filipino world champions and title contenders who have contributed to the country’s rich legacy of boxing glory.

The list also includes Little Dado (Eleuterio Zapanta), Erbito Salavarria, Pedro Adique, Roberto Cruz, Luisito Espinosa, Dodie Boy, Gerry Penalosa, Donnie Nietes, and, of course, Bobby Pacquiao.

With the exception of Salavarria and Espinosa, these boxing greats were born, raised, and developed in the South.

Bobby Pacquiao, brother of the Hall of Fame champion, is aiming to return to the House of Representatives as the second nominee of 1Pacman. He fought as a prizefighter from 1997 to 2008. Bobby recalled that it was his growing family, along with the inspiration and motivation from his more illustrious brother, that propelled him to do his best in the ring.

The impact of these champions and title contenders extends far beyond the ring. In their hometowns, they are revered as heroes, symbols of hope and resilience. With every punch thrown and every title won, the champion fighters remind Filipinos that in the arena of life, it is their journeys that lead them to victory.