Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is under public scrutiny after an interview with his son, Eman Bacosa Pacquiao, reignited debate about the family's wealth, legacy, and moral priorities. The 19-year-old son of the eight-division world champion spoke candidly with journalist Jessica Soho about growing up away from the limelight-and often in poverty-while his father built a global sports empire.
Eman, born to Pacquiao and former waitress Joanna Bacosa, revealed that his early years were marked by financial hardship and emotional distance. "It really wasn't easy. I endured hunger, difficulty, financial problems," he told Soho. Despite being the child of one of the Philippines' richest athletes, Eman grew up in a modest home in General Santos City, valued at roughly PHP 3 to 4 million (about £42,000 to £56,000).
"I matured early because of what happened in my life," he said. "I understood that [Dad] already had his own family, which is why I didn't ask too many questions." Eman's reflections, delivered with a calm maturity, contrasted sharply with social media outrage over the visible disparity between his humble upbringing and his stepmother Jinkee Pacquiao's lavish lifestyle.
Online critics highlighted that Jinkee's designer handbag collection-reportedly worth more than £5 million-far exceeds the value of Eman's entire residence. One viral post on X read: "It's a shame that his wife's vanity is funded 100x better than the roof over his son's head. Pacquiao needs to fix his priorities." Neither Manny nor Jinkee Pacquiao has publicly addressed the criticism.
Eman, however, has chosen forgiveness over resentment. "The situation was clear to me even when I was little," he said. "I was extremely happy, my heart was filled. I said, 'Thank you, Lord, for of all the people who could be my father, it had to be him.'"
Eman's story took a turn toward reconciliation when he reunited with his father in 2022 after a decade apart. "We visited Dad, and he let us in, then he hugged me tightly. [He said], 'Son, I missed you. I haven't seen you for such a long time,'" Eman recalled. "I was holding back my tears because I was so happy to see him then."
That reunion rekindled not only their bond but also Eman's dream of becoming a professional boxer. Though Manny initially discouraged him-saying, "Boxing is hard. Just focus on your studies instead"-he later agreed to support his son's ambitions. "Then he signed my [papers] and said, 'Son, I'll make you a Pacquiao so it'll be easier for you to rise in boxing,'" Eman said. "It felt like he was making it up to me."
Eman's boxing passion was first sparked at age nine and later nurtured in Japan, where he lived with his mother and stepfather, Sultan Dino, who encouraged his training. After years of quiet preparation, Eman recently competed at Thrilla in Manila 2, an event organized by his father to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Muhammad Ali's 1975 fight against Joe Frazier. Eman secured a unanimous decision victory over Jr. Pineda in the super featherweight division.
