As Manny Pacquiao gets serious with his training for the toughest fight of his career, Gulf News brings you the lighter side of the Filipino boxing icon.
Pacquiao the singer
Pacquiao loves to sing and there are several videos on YouTube to prove he isn't shy with the microphone in his hand.
He’s even made a hit single.
His latest recording will also serve as his entrance song for the upcoming fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The ballad is titled Lalaban Ako Para Sa Filipino (I will fight for the Filipino).
He’s also done covers, one of which is Dan Hill's classic Sometime's When We Touch.
Pacquiao the actor
He’s done a number of movies such as Wapakman, Anak ng Kumander (Commander's Son) and the documentary film Manny.
Film directing is also on his resume. Pacquiao directed the video of Lalaban Ako Para Sa Filipino.
Pacquiao the game show host
The multi-talented boxer hosted the defunct Manny Many Prizes, a weekly variety game show produced by a television network in the Philippines.
Pacquiao the chess player
Pacquiao plays chess and has invited many Filipino grandmasters to play against him.
It's a sport close to his heart as he once said that he had been playing chess even before he became a boxer.
He’s also sponsored several cash-rich tournaments, most recently the Manny Cup in General Santos City last December.
Pacquiao the pool player
He’s also known to be a decent shotmaker on the pool table...
Pacquiao the basketball player
At 35 he became the oldest rookie in the history of the Philippine Basketball Association when he was drafted 11th overall in last year by Kia, where he is currently a player-coach.
He also owns a team in the PBA Developmental League, the MP Hotel Warriors.
Playing basketball is part of his conditioning activities during major fights.
