“I always longed for my father’s love”: Eman Bacosa recalls being finally acknowledged by father Manny Pacquiao

When Eman Bacosa, donning the Pacquiao name on his trunks, defeated Nico Salado in the 50th anniversary of the Thrilla in Manila, his father, boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, was in attendance.

It was perhaps the first time the public had ever seen Pacquiao and Bacosa interact with each other, but it was years before that the former eight-division champion truly acknowledged his son.

Speaking to journalist Jessica Soho, Bacosa recalled the day in 2022 when his famous father finally acknowledged him as his son after being estranged almost all his life.

“Noong 2022, bumisita kami kay Daddy, pinapasok po kami, tapos niyakap po ako ng daddy ko nang mahigpit. Sabi niya, ‘Na-miss kita, matagal kitang hindi nakita.’ Tapos niyakap ko rin siya,” Bacosa shared.

“Ako, pinipigilan ko ang luha ko, sobrang saya ko po talaga na nakita ko po siya noon. Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko po makalimutan yung moment na yon. Ten years po kasi na hindi kami nagkita,” he added.

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Eman Bacosa, son of Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, wins over Nico Salado in their lightweight division bout during the Thrilla in Manila II event at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, October 29.

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The undefeated boxer also shared that it was during that meeting that he told Pacquiao that he wanted to enter the sport of boxing.

“Sinabihan ko po siya na, ‘Dad, plano ko po sana mag-boksing.’ Sabi niya, ‘Anak, mahirap mag-boksing. Mag-aral ka na lang. Papuntahin na lang kita sa Amerika,’” he said.

“Sabi ko, ‘Dad, passion ko po ang boksing, e,” Bacosa added.

Then, in a moment Bacosa will never forget, Pacquiao then gave him the blessing to use the name Pacquiao to help Eman rise though the professional ranks faster.

“Tapos pinirmahan po niya yung ano (certifificate) ko, ’Gawin kitang Pacquiao para mabilis ang pag-angat mo sa boksing,’” he said.

“Pasok po ako ng kwarto. Doon po ako umiyak. Sabi ko, ‘Lord, Thank you, Lord.’ Nag-usap ng heart to heart,” Eman said. “Humingi na rin po siya ng tawad sa akin at pinatawad ko na rin po siya. At saka sabi ko rin naman po sa kanya na naintindihan ko ang sitwasyon ninyo. Ang importante lang sa akin ay makasama kayo.”

For Bacosa, his father’s acknowledgement was a moment he will forever cherish, especially all the hardships he and her mother, Joanna, experienced in the past.

“I’ve always longed for my father’s love ever since I was a child. I barely know him. Sabi ko, ‘Lord, sana makasama ko man lang siya ng buong araw — o kahit saglit lang — nung bata pa ako,” he said.

Equalling his father’s eight titles in eight divisions is a momentous task, but Bacosa, who boasts a win-loss record of 7-0 with 4 knockouts, is seeking to capture at least a world title in his career.

“Gusto ko rin maging world champion gaya ng daddy ko. Kung hindi man eight-division, maging undisputed champion,” he said. 

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