Asia Society honors Game Changers of the Year; Pacquiao among awardees

Ellen Wallop/Asia Society

The Asia Society's 2015 Game Changers, left to right:Shuji Nakamura, Aasif Mandvi, Mariam al-Mansouri, Kiran Bir Sethi, Li Cunxin, Manny Pacquiao, Chanda Kochhar, and Lei Jun. 

MANNY PACQUIAO, besides being a boxer, is gaining notice for his work outside the ring as a philanthropist and since 2010, a politician.

He was among the nine Asia Game Changers named by the Asia Society in New York in ceremonies held Oct. 13 at the United Nations.

He represents Sarangani in the Philippine House of Representatives. On Monday, Pacquiao confirmed his interest in seeking a seat in the Philippines’ Senate, and would not rule out an eventual run for the presidency.

“In the Philippines, politics is like boxing — people are always fighting each other,” he said in a press conference prior to the ceremonies, adding that “a lot of politicians masquerade as righteous, especially at election time. But what I’ve learned is that you have to forgive your enemies.”

Manny Pacquiao at his press conference.

Here is the Asia Society press release:

Asia Society Honors Manny Pacquiao, Other 'Asia Game Changers' at United Nations

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - October 14, 2015) - In a ceremony held at the United Nations on Tuesday evening, Asia Society honored Philippine boxing great Manny Pacquiaoand eight other dignitaries as its second annual class of Asia Game Changers for making a transformative and positive difference for the future of Asia and the world. Honorees also included Chinese telecommunications magnate Lei Jun, Indian/American comedian and actor Aasif Mandvi, and Emirati fighter pilot Mariam al-Mansouri.

After receiving the award, Pacquiao credited his humble upbringing in a village outside General Santos City, Philippines, for forming his desire to give back to the community. "I've experienced in life not having shelter and having to sleep in the street," he said. "So even with my success I will never forget my past."

Against the backdrop of New York's East River and Queensboro Bridge, Pacquiao and his fellow awardees mingled with Asia Society trustees, officers, and other guests from around the world. Josette Sheeran, Asia Society's President and CEO, began the ceremony by noting that Asians have received insufficient recognition for their contributions to the world. "More than 950 Nobel prizes have been awarded since 1901, and less than six percent have gone to Asians -- even though 60 percent of the world's population is in Asia and Asia has 50 percent of the world's patents."

"We at Asia Society want to recognize the brilliance of Asia -- those who are changing the world for the better."

In his acceptance speech, Mandvi spoke of comedy's role in eroding negative stereotypes and tackling issues -- such as Islamophobia -- that often elude more conventional comedians. Recounting a career that began in Off-Broadway productions before achieving widespread recognition a decade ago as the "Middle East Correspondent" for The Daily Show, Mandvi struck a characteristically humorous tone in his remarks. Referring to Pacquiao, his fellow nominee, Mandvi joked: "Little known fact about Manny -- he also always wanted to be a fake news correspondent. I guess I won that, Manny. Good luck."

Kiran Bir Sethi, an education innovator whose Design for Change organization has improved learning outcomes across India, spoke of the importance of spotlighting instructors. "It's because of honors like (Asia Game Changers) that the response goes from 'Oh, you're just a teacher' to 'Teachers are game changers.'"

Pacquiao was introduced by tennis great John McEnroe. "I was fortunate enough to meet Nelson Mandela, and one of the things he said to me was that sports have the potential to change the world," McEnroe said. "And Manny Pacquiao is one of the individuals who can do that."

Additional honorees spanned the scientific, artistic, and military world across the continent: Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano, and Shuji Nakamura, inventors of LED light bulbs and 2014 Nobel Prize winners for physics; Chanda Kochar, the CEO of Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India; and Li Cunxin, the Artistic Director of the Queensland Ballet.

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Last year, Chinese billionaire Jack Ma — the businessman behind Alibaba — received the Asia Game Changer of the Year award. Like Pacquiao, Ma was chosen for his humanitarian and charitable works.

Other past awardees include Malala Yousafzai, the youngest winner of the Nobel Prize and female rights activist from Pakistan, and Filipino social entrepreneur Illac Diaz, for his Liter of Light program.

While some say that Pacquiao's boxing career is on the downside, he remains one of our favorite athletes - not simply for the fact that he is Filipino or Asian - but for the fact that he is so generous with his success. 

Raised in a poor village near General Santos City, he frequently donated fight earnings to family members and neighborhood children. This practice has continued despite his tremendous success in the ring. “My life has changed because of the money I’ve earned in boxing,” he said. “I can go all over the world and enjoy myself. But every time I hear the voice of poor people, I feel it in my heart because I’ve been there.”

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