PACQUIAO DONATES P5 MILLION TO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
By Aquiles Z. Zonio
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 06 Jan 2015
MAKATI ? World eight-division boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao gave a P5 million donation to Habitat for Humanity on Monday to further push the group?s advocacy in providing shelter facility especially to the homeless.
Pacquiao also renewed his commitment as one of the ambassadors of the Habitat for Humanity-Philippines.
Prior to the donation and signing ceremony held right at the Habitat?s head office in Makati, Pacquiao served as guest speaker at the fellowship where he shared how he metamorphosed from a man of vices to being a renewed creation.
?My life is an open book. I was once a gambler, a womanizer and a drinker. But God changed my life. I learned by reading the Bible that the things we covet here on earth are the things most detestable before the eyes of God,? Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao claimed God talked to him in his dream.
?In my dream, I cried because despite all God?s blessings I turned my back on him. That was the start of my realization,? Pacquiao bared.
In his speech, Pacquiao emphasized the virtue of giving and helping others, especially those in need.
In the same speech, Pacquiao lauded his partnership with the Habitat for Humanity in building houses for the homeless residents in his district.
Present during the affair included, among others, Fernando Zobel De Ayala, chair of the Habitat for Humanity Asia-Pacific Capital Campaign Steering Committee; Charlie Ayco, Habitat for Humanity Philippines chief executive officer; Bong Recio, Habitat for Humanity Philippines national board president; and Ilo Reyes, member of the board of trustee of the Habitat for Humanity Philippines.
Pacquiao added ?I?m happy with what the Habitat for Humanity has been doing to help improve people?s lives. There?s joy and satisfaction in giving. Those who are blessed should share their blessings. We came into this world naked and we will depart bringing nothing.?
Pacquiao suggested to the top officials of the organization, ?Let us invite to a dinner big businessmen from Manila. Let?s encourage them to share in providing homes to the homeless.?
The boxer lawmaker promised to make himself available during the dinner meeting.
The Filipino boxing superstar even hinted that the P5 million was just his initial donation.
In an interview, Pacquiao told Philboxing.com that he was impressed by the track record of the group.
?In a short span of time that we became partners, I was really impressed by the way Habitat people touch lives and establish relationship with the stakeholders. Above all, the way they implement and handle projects ? so efficient and transparent,? Pacquiao said.
These were the reasons, he said, why he decided to renew his commitment as one of endorser of the Habitat for Humanity.
Ayala thanked Pacquiao for his donation and for serving as good ambassador of Habitat for Humanity.
During casual conversation prior to the event, Ayala said ?We thank you for your help and we are proud to have a Christian ambassador like you.?
Ayco said ?We need a voice in Congress to push further our advocacy for affordable housing projects. We need you in Congress. We will closely coordinate with you on this concern.?
?While you were preaching, I was watching your hands. It came across my mind that from fighting, now you?re using those hands to help build people?s lives,? Ayco said.
Based on the data from the Habitat for Humanity, Philippines at present has a housing backlog of 4.7 million units. The figure is projected to surge to 6.5 million by year 2030.
Accordingly, four out of ten Filipino families do not own their house and do not have security of land tenure. Four out of 10 families in urban areas are slum dwellers.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Aquiles Z. Zonio.
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