As Renaissance Men go, Manny Pacquiao puts Thomas Jefferson to shame. And in case you missed it, the pound-for-pound king and new junior welterweight champion just added two more professions to his long list this week.
- Boxer. This one’s pretty obvious, and it’s the job I’d like to see him do for a little while longer, rather than considering retirement after a bout in October. He’s pretty good at it, if I don’t say so myself.
- Spy. This week, the Philippine Department of Justice named Pacquiao a “special assistant” on “intelligence matters.” Does it mean anything in reality? Nah — it’s honorary, but it is kinda cool.
- Ambassador. Likewise, he was named this week by the Philippine president “ambassador of peace and understanding.” This one means a little more than the spy gig, because of one of Pacquiao’s fights in 2008 prompting a temporary ceasefire between the government and rebels.
- Doctor. Again, it’s only honorary, but it allows Pacquiao, if he so chooses, to call himself “Doctor Pacman.” Which is awesome.
- Politician. When Pacquiao retires, it will be to run for a congressional seat. He already ran once and lost.
- Environmental task force leader. Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said Pacquiao was also recently appointed as head of the environment department’s Task Force Kalikasan (Nature). “There is nothing wrong with that,” the justice chief said. I concur.
- Actor. I haven’t checked out his chops, but I’m sure if I searched YouTube for his role on the television show “Totoy Bato,” I could try to discern whether he was a good actor even though I don’t speak Tagalog.
- Singer. Unfortunately, I did once search YouTube to listen to Pacquiao’s hit song. I can’t recommend it.
- Pitchman. Wikipedia mentions his products endorsed as “detergents, medicines, foods, garments, telecommunications.” All fine products. It’s his beer commercials that I like best, though.
- Student. Pacquiao is a college student at Notre Dame.. of Dadiangas University.
- Basketball team owner. He loves the hoops, so he bought himself a basketball team, the MP Warriors of Gensan.
- Lottery outlet owner. An outlet for the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
- Poker player. Recently, Pacquiao played in a celebrity poker tournament, and most accounts say he’s pretty good.
- Philanthropist. If no one stopped him, one suspects Pacquiao would give all his money away.
- Cigarette and donut salesman. It isn’t what he does anymore, but when Pacquiao was more rags than riches, he kept himself fed selling smokes and fried pastries on the street. I guess it’s not bad to have on a resume, though.
That really only covers the things he kind of does for a living. It doesn’t count his numerous additional interests, like being a new father; playing pool; going scuba diving; cockfighting; mexi-cuting; etc. And I’ve probably missed something.
I’m constantly amazed at what a unique figure in boxing we have on our hands with Pacquiao, be it from his exceptional performances and career in the ring or his role outside it — the godhead qualities in the Philippines, and of course, his living-life-to-the-fullest story.
I guess my only complaint is that maybe in this economy, he could stop hoarding all the occupations, yeah?
