Eman Bacosa Pacquiao recently opened up about his relationship with his father, boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.
In an exclusive interview with Jessica Soho, Eman shared that he has long understood the circumstances surrounding his parents.
Eman is Manny’s son with Joanna Bacosa, whom the boxer met at her workplace where she was working as a waitress. The two developed feelings for each other and later had Eman.
"'Yung maliit pa po ako naintindihan ko na kaagad 'yung sitwasyon. Maaga po akong nag-mature sa mga nangyari sa buhay ko. Naitindihan ko po na meron na rin po siyang sariling pamilya, [si dad], kaya di na po ako masyadong nagtatanong bakit," he said.
Despite growing up apart from his father, Eman expressed that he has always been proud of Manny. "Sobrang saya ko po, nabubusog po 'yung puso ko. Sabi ko thank you Lord sa lahat ng pwede kong maging ama, siya pa talaga. Lagi ko po pinagyayabang sa classmate ko na uy tingnan niyo si daddy Manny Pacquiao," he highlighted.
Starting at 12 years old, Eman spent five years living in Japan with his mother and stepfather, Sultan Dino, where he began training in boxing. He first became interested in the sport at the age of nine after joining a boxing match during a fiesta in the Philippines, though his mother asked him to stop at the time. In Japan, Sultan supported his passion and helped him train seriously.
When Eman returned to the Philippines, he finally reunited with Manny in 2022 after a decade apart.
"Bumisita kami kay daddy, pinapasok po kami tapos niyakap po ako ni daddy ng mahigpit. [Sabi niya], 'Anak na-miss kita. Ang tagal kitang hindi nakita.' Tapos niyakap ko rin siya. Ako, pinipigilan ko lang luha ko sa sobrang saya ko po talaga na nakita ko po siya nun... Ten years po kasi kaming hindi nagkita," he recalled.
It was during this reunion when he told Manny that he wanted to pursue boxing.
"Sinabihan ko po siya na, 'Dad plano ko po sanang mag-boxing. Sabi niya, 'Mahirap mag-boxing. Mag-aral ka na lang. Papuntahin na lang kita sa America,' ganun... Sabi ko, 'Pero dad, passion ko po 'yung boxing eh,'" he recalled.
Eman shared that Manny then offered him to carry the Pacquiao name in his boxing journey. "Tapos pinirmahan niya 'yung [papeles] ko, 'Nak gawin kitang Pacquiao para mabilis pag-angat mo sa boxing.' Parang bumawi po siya sa akin. Sabi ko hala, thank you Lord. Pumasok po ako ng kwarto. Dun po ako umiyak. Sabi ko, thank you Lord," he shared.
Eman relayed that he and Manny have already had a heart-to-hear talk. "Humingi na rin po siya ng tawad sa akin. Pinatawad ko na rin naman po siya. Sabi ko, 'Dad naintindihan ko naman sitwasyon niyo. Ang importante po sa akin makasama kayo,'" he relayed.
Eman shared that his father has been supportive of his boxing dreams and has served as his mentor as he continues to pursue a career in the sport.
Eman recently participated in Thrilla in Manila 2, which was organized by Manny to celebrate the 50th anniversary the boxing bout of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in the Philippines back in 1975. The young boxer won his boxing match.