Eman Bacosa Pacquiao on the Day He Made Peace With His Dad

Eman Bacosa Pacquiao has been in the public eye since 2023, when he made his professional boxing debut, and as Manny Pacquiao’s son, but he has just publicly opened up about their relationship.

The 21-year-old was raised in Tagum, Davao, by his mother and grew up knowing that the People’s Champ was his father, even if they were not together. From a young age, he understood the distance between them.

“Nagka-developan, ako na po ‘yung bunga. Simula bata pa ako, kilala ko na po na daddy ko si Manny Pacquiao,” he shared in an interview on Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.

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”At school, other boys often picked fights with him because of his last name. “Kasi daw anak ako ni Manny Pacquiao. Tapos minsan sasabihin nila, ‘Tara, suntukan tayo.’ Pero paglabas ko ng gate, wala na, bubugbugin na nila ako. Araw-araw po ‘yun. Minsan tatakas po ako sa likod ng paaralan para maiwasan ko sila,” he recalled.

He began boxing at nine, entering a local fiesta fight in Tagum. One of his earliest matches was against a school bully. He lost, but continued training, determined to pursue the sport.

At home, money was tight. His mother, Joanna, raised him on her own, doing what she could to provide for him. Manny supported them when he could, but daily life was largely a mother-and-son effort. “Hindi po naging madali talaga. Tiniis ko ang gutom, hirap, financial problems,” Eman said.

Even ordinary moments could be painful because of his father’s absence, such as Father’s Day at school. “‘Nung una nasaktan ako. Naiinggit ako sa ibang bata, lalo na tuwing Father’s Day. Nakikita ko na kasama nila ang mga papa nila.”

“I’ve always longed for my father’s love ever since I was a child. I barely know him. Sabi ko, ‘Lord, sana makasama ko man lang siya ng buong araw o kahit saglit lang ‘nung bata pa ako,’” Eman added.

But the support Eman needed came from his stepfather, who drove him to training and encouraged his boxing ambitions. For many years, he competed under the surname Bacosa, as Manny had not legally acknowledged him.

Eman visited his father, Manny Pacquiao, in 2022 after about ten years of little or no contact. At the time, Eman told Manny of his desire to pursue boxing. Manny initially expressed concern about the risks and even offered to send him to study in the U.S., but Eman stood firm on his decision.

“’Nak, gawin kitang Pacquiao para mabilis pag‑angat mo sa boksing,” Eman recalls Manny telling him.

The moment mattered less because of the surname and more because it signaled a father finally making room for his son.

“Parang bumawi siya sa akin. Sabi ko, ‘Hala, thank you, Lord,’” he said.

“Humingi na rin po siya ng tawad sa akin at pinatawad ko na rin po siya. Naintindihan ko ang sitwasyon ninyo. ‘Ang importante lang sa akin ay makasama kayo,’” he added.

Following their reconciliation, Manny filed for legal recognition, and Eman’s birth certificate was updated. He officially became Emmanuel Bacosa Pacquiao.

“Pasok po ako ng kwarto. Doon po ako umiyak. Sabi ko, ‘Lord, thank you, Lord.’”

Eman also said he has spoken with Manny’s wife, Jinkee Pacquiao, and his mother, Mommy D., and that both have acknowledged him and maintain good relations with him.

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