FILIPINO eight division world boxing champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao recently partnered with Globe to be its newest brand ambassador with the fee he was to get to be channelled to help victims of strong typhoons that recently hit the country.
Mr. Pacquiao, who holds a boxing record of 62-7-2, was unveiled as the latest Globe brand ambassador on Tuesday in ceremonies held at the Mireio, Raffles Hotel in Makati.
In the partnership, Mr. Pacquiao and Globe agreed that the boxing legend’s next fights will be streamed in the country through the telecommunication firm’s Upstream service, its newest transactional video-on-demand (VOD) platform.
The boxing legend was joined in the unveiling by Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu and Globe and Ayala Corp. Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala.
In agreeing to the partnership, Mr. Pacquiao said that apart from being able to work with a respected organization like Globe, the chance to help Filipinos during these difficult times was just hard to pass up on.
“I said yes because I am given another God-given opportunity to be of help to our [countrymen]. That is why my endorsement fee for this will go to relief efforts to help our kababayans who were affected by the devastation of typhoons Rolly and Ulysses,” Mr. Pacquiao said.
“I will give my income from this to those affected by the typhoons who are struggling and having a hard time. This is part of my commitment to help them rise up,” he added.
It is a commitment that Globe and Ayala fully support, seeing it as in line with their corporate thrusts.
“You’re donating the proceeds of the endorsements. I think that’s a very gallant move, and one that is so timely, given the vast devastation that has occurred in the country today,” said Mr. Cu.
“At a time when the country is facing so many challenges, Manny’s life story has remained a source of inspiration for every Filipino even in this time of pandemic – a constant reminder of the Filipino’s strength, talent, and tenacity to overcome every difficulty,” Mr. Zobel de Ayala, for his part, said.
Globe is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact and has committed to implement sustainability principles hinged on four pillars including One Digital Nation, Care for the Environment, Care for People and Positive Societal Impact. Globe is actively supporting 10 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Mr. Pacquiao, who is also a sitting senator of the republic, last fought in the boxing ring in July 2019, beating American Keith Thurman by split decision.
Discussions are now under way for his next fight but nothing concrete has come out of them yet. Among the opponents being floated for him are mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor and World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Terrence Crawford. – Michael Angelo S. Murillo