Manny Pacquiao, a world champion in the boxing ring, used his prize money to build a village for underprivileged families. As a child, young Manny from the Philippines often went without even a handful of rice for lunch. But his relentless drive and burning desire to escape poverty took him to the pinnacle of global boxing.

Despite his astonishing success, Manny has never forgotten his impoverished upbringing. One of the first large sums he earned from his fights was spent on building a village for the residents of Tango, his hometown in the poorest province of Sarangani. This was just the beginning—Pacquiao’s funds have since been used to construct homes for thousands of low-income families.

The village, named Pacman Village after Manny’s famous nickname “Pac-Man,” is a welcoming, comfortable haven for struggling families. Each home is designed for two families and comes with separate entrances for privacy.

Pacman Village features open and enclosed sports courts, a community park, and a multi-functional center. Manny grew up in a large family, where bananas and root vegetables were staples on the dinner table. At 12, he left school to help support his family by working in a bakery and selling donuts on the streets. It was around this time that he began boxing under the guidance of his uncle, who became his first coach.

His uncle recalls that Manny always had a strong will: “He got up at 4 a.m. every morning to go running. After just six months of training, I said, ‘This kid is going to be a world champion.’ And he did.”

Today, Manny Pacquiao is one of the most respected and beloved figures in the Philippines. A few years ago, he entered politics and was elected to Congress.