[PHOTO
- Pound-for-pound boxing king and Habitat hero ambassador Manny Pacquiao
is joined by his wife Jinkee and Habitat for Humanity Philippines Capital
Campaign chair Fernando Zobel during a dinner Monday night.]
MANILA,
JUNE 4, 2011
(STAR) WBO welterweight champion and pound-for-pound boxing king Manny
Pacquiao has another title under his belt – Habitat hero ambassador.
At a small private dinner at Habitat for Humanity Capital Campaign chair
Fernando Zobel's home held in honor of the Pacman Monday night, Zobel said he
was impressed upon meeting Manny.
"For a person that has accomplished so much fame, he continues to be
incredibly grounded, humble, down to earth and very sincere. It is such an honor
for the sports hero to lend his name and trust the work that Habitat has been
doing all these years."
"I Build Filipino pride" is Pacquiao's campaign statement. As Sarangani
representative, Pacquiao says he has a bigger opponent than those he's faced
inside the boxing ring – poverty.
"Gusto ko i-knock-out ang kahirapan. Gusto ko tapusin ang kahirapan sa
anumang paraan at magpatayo ng mga bahay na diretso talaga sa tao. Natutuwa ako
sa magandang adhikain at trabaho ng Habitat. I assure you, you will always have
my support (I want to knock out poverty, to end it in whatever way and build
houses directly for the poor. I'm proud of the advocacy and work of Habitat)."
The Pacman has committed to having a "Manny Pacquiao Build" in Sarangani.
"Bumili ako ng lupa, 3 hectares, nasa tabi ng kalsada pa iyon, gusto ko
mapatayuan na natin yon ng mga bahay para sa mga mahihirap na residente sa amin
(I bought some land, 3 hectares, by the road. I want to build houses there for
our poor residents)."
Habitat for Humanity has in turn pledged to raise counterpart funds needed to
build the homes. Pacquiao said he will take the lead in building the homes brick
by brick with thousands of volunteers, like that of the recent successful youth
build in Calauan, Laguna where over 1,600 students volunteered to paint and
build 80 houses.
Habitat Youth Council president Isabel Martel Francisco and Youth Ambassador
Alex Eduque promised to "rally behind Pacquiao by inviting youth volunteers."
"We are one with Congressman Pacquiao in finding a solution in uplifting the
lives of Filipinos. Habitat is honored to be working with him in this worthwhile
endeavor," remarked Ricardo Jacinto, Habitat for Humanity Philippines managing
director and CEO.
Pacquiao joins the ranks of Habitat Nation-Builder Ambassador Kris Aquino;
Habitat Ambassadors Kim Atienza, Arnold Clavio, Karen Davila, Alex Eduque, Derek
Ramsay, and Chris Tiu; and Habitat Youth Ambassadors Matteo Guidicelli and Cris
Villonco.
Atienza, who fondly calls Pacquiao his "brother," is elated with Manny's
joining Habitat.
"Our family knew and supported Pacquiao (even when he was not yet famous), he
hasn't changed at all," Atienza said.
It was an evening that was truly special. Pacquiao brought his wife Jinkee
and four kids who ended up playing with Zobel's children.
A memorandum of agreement was signed between Zobel and Pacquiao but what
sealed it was a song – Pacquiao was game enough to sing when egged on to duet
with concert queen Pops Fernandez.
Habitat for Humanity Philippines started building homes in 1988 with General
Santos City, Pacquiao's hometown, as one of its first communities. Since then,
the organization has built communities nationwide, particularly in the southern
provinces of Kidapawan, Midsayap, Davao del Sur, and Sarangani. Apart from
houses, Habitat has also constructed classrooms in Mindanao.
For the past 23 years, Habitat has served over 32,000 families, built and
enabled more than 170 communities and has completed more than 300 classrooms and
community centers throughout the country.
As it gears up for its 25th year in 2013, Habitat recently launched its
four-year "I Build" campaign, which aims to create a community building and
development model through innovative and sustainable solutions to address
poverty housing that can be replicated nationwide.
Chief News Editor:
Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2009
by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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