Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao really wants to set a good example for his children, and he has been very careful with raising them to become truthful, loving, and God-fearing individuals.
On his Instagram account (@mannypacquiao), the Filipino congressman shared a photo of himself carrying his youngest son Israel while seated aboard a plane. The two are shown sharing a peaceful snooze together. Pacquiao captioned the photo, "Every Father should remember that one day his son will follow his example instead of his advice."
Pacquiao's own relationship with his father isn't that great. When he was in the sixth grade, his parents separated and his mother soon discovered that his father was already living with another woman. With no male role model to look up to, Pacquiao grew up with no clear direction in life.
He was forced to drop out of high school because of extreme poverty since his mother Dionisia, who had to feed and take care of her six children, did not earn enough to support all of their needs.
In 1995, Pacquiao decided to pursue a professional boxing career to help his mother in supporting the needs of their family. He slowly but steadily rose in the ranks.
But even at the peak of his boxing success, the Filipino fighter felt lost and confused—that is, until he started reading Rick Warren's book "The Purpose Driven Life."
He was raised as a Roman Catholic but converted to being an evangelical Christian. Pacquiao gave up his old life of gambling, womanising, and constant drinking and became a more devoted husband to his wife and father to their children. Now, he is a regular churchgoer who spends his free time reading the Gospel and doing charity work.
"I have discovered that the Bible is the manual of life, and it has given me a lot of comfort, as well as lessons on being a better person. The Bible has shown me what my priorities should be so that I can live a better life. I am so much happier and at peace because I have embraced the Bible," he said.
