Pacman is 'Habitat Hero Ambassador'

source: mb.com.ph

MANILA, Philippines — Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has added another title to his belt: “Habitat Hero Ambassador.”

The title was conferred on Pacquiao at a small private dinner at Habitat for Humanity Capital Campaign Chairman Fernando Zobel’s home Monday night.

Zobel said he was impressed upon meeting the Filipino boxing champ. “He has accomplished so much, yet he continues to be incredibly grounded, humble, down to earth, and very sincere. It is such an honor for the country’s sports hero to lend his name and trust the work that Habitat has been doing all these years,” Zobel said.



Pacquiao had adopted “I build Filipino pride” as his campaign statement. As Saranggani’s representative in Congress, Pacquiao says he has bigger opponent that those he’s faced inside the boxing ring… that of poverty.

“Gusto ko I-knock-out ang kahirapan. Gusto ko tapusin ang kahirapan sa anuman 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.”

Pacquiao has committed to having a “Manny Pacquiao Build” in Saranggani. He said he has bought a three-hectare property in which to build homes for his poor constituents.

Habitat for Humanity has in turn pledged to raise counterpart funds for the project. Pacquiao has said he himself will lead thousands of volunteers in building the homes brick by brick.

The project comes close on the heels of Habitat’s 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 uplifting the lives of Filipinos. Habitat is honored to be working with him in this worthwhile endeavor,” said 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; Habitat Youth Ambassadors Matteo Guidicelli and Cris Villonco.

Atienza, who refers to Pacquiao as his “brother,” is elated at Pacquiao’s joining Habitat.

“Our family knew and supported Pacquiao noong hindi pa siya sikat; he hasn’t changed at all,” Atienza said.

Zobel and Pacquiao signed a memorandum of agreement for the project and “sealed” it with a song.

The boxing champ was persuaded to do a duet with Concert Queen Pops Fernandez.

Habitat for Humanity Philippines started building homes in 1988 with General Santos City, Pacquiao’s hometown. Since then, the organization has built communities nationwide, particularly in the southern provinces of Kidapawan, Midsayap, Davao del Sur, and Saranggani.

Apart from houses, Habitat has also built 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 school classrooms and community centers throughout the country.

As it gears up for its 25th year in 2013, Habitat 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.

source: mb.com.ph