Jimuel Pacquiao: Following his parents' footsteps
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 23 Nov 2022
San Leandro, California-
Our name, essentially, is our legacy.
That is true especially for someone whose surname carries a lot of weight that spanned 8-divisions- Emmanuel Pacquiao, Jr.
Jimuel- amateur boxer, student of the sweet science, aspiring actor, vlogger, etcetera- some say, was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and his destiny served on a silver platter.
While that may have some truth to it, I got a different impression of him after my not-so-exclusive interview by phone.
I have learned that Jimuel knows the value of his famous last name, and his younger brothers and sisters Michael, Divine Grace, Queen Elizabeth, and Israel all share the responsibility of carrying the Pacquiao name.
Like his siblings, he inherited the compassion, resolve and generous hearts of Manny and Jinkee, evident in his work ethic and proper training---keys to success atop the ring and outside of it.
It is refreshing to hear Jimuel’s humble viewpoint as he talked about his passion for boxing as it relates to his purpose in life.
“I am grateful for the name my parents Manny and Jinkee Pacquaio have given to me and my brothers and sisters...We deeply appreciate what God has blessed us, and never take our goals and responsibilities for granted.”
“Previously, my father tried to dissuade me from boxing because of the rigors and perils associated with the sport…Our mother tried to encourage me to try other things besides fighting.”
“My dedication, passion and focus in training is probably what convinced them that I can succeed in the sport that I love…I’d like to respectfully continue the legacy of my parents,” Pacquiao, Jr. told PhilBoxing.com.
Jimuel played varsity hoops in high school as a point guard. He occasionally shares pointers about boxing and basketball as a form of physical education to underprivileged youth.
Of interest, one of his sporting heroes Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors visited Pacquiao during training camp at the Wild Card Gym last summer 2021.
“Jimuel Pacquiao showed his generous heart by donating his time and resources to underprivileged youth. Every fan of Manny Pacquiao, Filipino and Hispanic alike, came out and expressed their love and friendship for him and his father,” Robert Lyons related.
Two weeks ago, Jimuel led a group of volunteers from the Manny Pacquiao Foundation for a mission of friendship in Chicago and Maywood, Illinois.
Robert Lyons, CEO of StarFlite International, Inc. and his fellow director Jon Sisson of the Manny Pacquiao Foundation, arranged a visit to the Chicago Boxing Youth Club whose members and staff received a donation of boxing gloves, equipment, and a check for $6,000.
“He enjoyed his visit to the Chicago Bulls Arena and Training Center courtesy of my friends Joe O’Neil and John Ligmanowski. Jimuel got a thrill wearing all the Chicago Bulls championship rings and admired statues of Michael Jordan.”
Jimuel accepted the kind invitation of the Maywood Bataan Day Organization, and was able to pay his respects to real-life heroes, fallen American and Filipino-American soldiers of World War II memorialized at the Veterans Memorial Maywood Park.
“Freezing Rain and gusty wind could not dampen our spirits. It was an honor to host Emmanuel “Jimuel'' Pacquiao, Jr. His father has shown the world how Filipinos can succeed in all fields of endeavor. We are proud that Jimuel is continuing our Filipino fighting spirit and tradition. We are thankful for Manny Pacquiao’s greatest fights and deeds as a private citizen,” Edward Brotonel, a retired 30-year veteran and Chief Warrant Officer in the United States Army, beamed.
Mr. Brotonel reminisced that his favorite fighters not named Manny Pacquiao were Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, Ceferino Garcia, Francisco Guilledo (Pancho Villa) and American heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson.
“‘Never Forget’… On behalf of the Maywood Bataan Day Organization and Col. Richard McMahon, Jr., VP Edwin Walker IV, Secretary Jose Galarza, Jr. and our directors Estrella Alamar, Michael Dravo, David Flowers, Jr., Stephen Gibson, Stan Huntington, Jim Opolony, Kim Wellington, and our honorary member Edwenna Perkins, Mayor of Maywood, Illinois, MARAMING SALAMAT SA PAGDALAW (Thank you for visiting).” Mr. Brotonel said.
Jimuel Pacquiao has the proper team and necessary tools to survive and succeed in the ring. Daily training at the Wild Card Gym, runs at Griffith Park and Pan Pacific Park interspersed with his studies are now part of his routine and should serve him well. It is now solely up to him to put it all together. His next amateur fight is scheduled for January 27th, 2023, at the Montebello Country Club in Southern California.
“We are training hard for Jimuel’s next fight. Jimuel has the focus and dedication and he should do well,” coach and trainer Marvin Somodio assured PhilBoxing.com.
His support for the Manny Pacquiao Foundation and association with worthy causes like Local Hearts Foundation and their annual Turkey Giveaway with ‘Hood Santa’ Tito Rodriguez shall not go unnoticed.
He is to be commended for his support of his fellow Filipino boxers Jerwin Ancajas, Marlon Tapales, Jonas Sultan, Jessie Mandapat, and the MP Promotions team led by Sean Gibbons.
In sum, Pacquiao, Jr. is a dedicated student of the Sweet Science and religiously follows the training regimen that has been set by his father Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, Sr.---West Coast Boxing Hall-of-Fame enshrinee to be inducted on March 12, 2023, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.
“I am fortunate to have coach Marvin Somodio and my confidante and facilitator Geoff “Kali” Sopenasky in our team. I appreciate their support and trust in me,” the grateful Jimuel concluded.
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Note of Appreciation:
Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!
Thanks to Robert Lyons, Marvin Somodio, Geoff “Kali” Sopenasky for their assistance in this article, and to Jhay Oh Otamias for the photograph of Marvin and Jimuel in training.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.
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