ABS-CBN’s innovative “Punch ng Bayan” of its Isang Bayan Para Kay Pacman campaign has gone full bore in just its first week in its efforts to spur the People’s Champion to bring home more glory for the country.

The number has been staggering in terms of how many punches the campaign has gathered so far. The punch meter has amounted to 18,735,253 punches as of 1PM, Saturday.

According to ABS-CBN Sports head Dino Laurena, “The campaign’s aim is to rally everyone to be one for Manny. We want to show the world that behind every Pacquiao punch is the strength of the Filipino people. For 20 years he fought for us, it’s time we give back and support him.”

Even popular Kapamilya stars have thrown their support for Manny Pacquiao as they mimicked one of his glaring habits: pounding his fists together, twice, before lunging for a jaw-breaking left straights or punishing body blows.

“Everyone can show their support for Manny Pacquiao by using #OneForPacman hashtag for every tweet or post in Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, or they can have fun with the punching bag at the website oneforpacman.abs-cbn.com. Or text ONEFORPACMAN using ABS-CBNmobile,” he added.

The Kapamilya network believes that for every punch tallied, Manny Pacquiao is inspired more knowing that his fellow Filipinos are one with him in his fight.

Late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel featured Manny Pacquiao’s latest song for the Filipino champ’s May 2 fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Not only did he talk about the song, “Lalaban Ako Para Sa Filipino (I Will Fight for the Filipino),” he also sang parts of it in his show to the delight of the audience.

Pacquiao recorded the song and even made a music video, which is expected to be used for his ring entrance for the fight.

The boxer has been a frequent visitor of the late night show and has even joined some skits.

The eight-division champion also previously sang a duet of John Lennon’s classic, “Imagine,” with comedian Will Ferrell on the show.

Come May 3 at 4am in KSA and 5am in UAE (May 2, 9pm EST/6pm Pacific), ABS-CBN TFC is exclusively distributing what is billed as the “Fight of the Century” between Pacquiao and Mayweather to boxing aficionados in the Middle East.

Fans in the region can catch the mega-fight between two of the world’s best pound-for-pound boxers LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas via PPV on the following cable networks: OSN, eLifeTV and Du.

Yet another milestone for TFC in the Middle East is that for the very first time, the network is also making the fight available on the big screen in cinemas across the Gulf in partnership with Novo Cinemas. TFC also partnered with major sports pubs, bars and hotels in the region as other venues to watch the fight.

As the fight falls on a work day in the Middle East, those who cannot stay home or hit the cinemas on this historic date can catch the fight online on TFC.tv.
(ABS-CBNNews.com/TFC)

English translation of “Lalaban Ako Para Sa Filipino” by huffingtonpost.com
Often I ask myself
Why be judged for what you feel?
What will it take for us to be heard?
Do we have to be born with privilege?
Even though it hurts me,
I’ll keep it all inside and not speak of it,
My heart bleeds, but others don’t see it
Because what’s more important
Is that my people are happy
I’ll fight the world in your name
I am Filipino, we are Filipino
I’ll fight the world, even risk my life
I will fight for Filipinos

We all have dreams for our country
To help or honor our people
It doesn’t matter who you are
Rich or poor
Together we fight for our country

I’ll fight the world in your name
I am Filipino, we are Filipino
I’ll fight the world, even risk my life
I will fight for Filipinos
I will fight…
I will fight…

I’ll fight the world in your name
I am Filipino, we are Filipino
I’ll fight the world, even risk my life
I will fight for Filipinos
I will fight for Filipinos
I will fight for…
My country

Eight-division world champion Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquaio is set to inspire the world in a different light as the highly anticipated sports drama movie event of the year titled “Kid Kulafu” shares his story not as a sports icon but as a young boy who knocked out life’s challenges.

“This is the untold story of our People’s Champ–way before the fame, fortune, championships and even prior wearing boxing gloves,” said Paul Soriano, the director of the biographical film presented by ABS-CBN, Star Cinema, and Ten17 Productions. “It is not about his career as a professional boxer but an in-depth look into his early years, from his birth up to his teenage life.”

According to Direk Paul, “Kid Kulafu” has been three years in the making with two years dedicated for extensive research about the childhood of the People’s Champ.

“Viewers will discover in the film how hard life was for Manny as a kid in General Santos City. They will get to know a young boy who had nothing but attitude, passion, and fighting spirit to face every challenge head on and knock it out one by one,” shared Direk Paul.

The director added that what inspired him more to do the movie was when he got to know more Manny through a series of conversations which happened within the two-year research spent for the biographical film.

As Manny shared to Direk Paul, “All the pain and the knock outs I experienced in boxing were just physical pain. But you know what’s more painful? It’s the fact that you have nothing to eat, no home where you can rest, and having a broken family. And I endured all those when I was young.”

Like Direk Paul, former child actor and “Kid Kulafu” lead star Buboy Villar feels honored to be part of the world champion’s biopic.

“I knew that there were a lot who auditioned for the role that’s why I was so happy when I was chosen. Because I’m really a big fan of Pacquiao,” said Buboy who underwent serious boxing training in preparation for the film.

“Because of ‘Kid Kulafu’ I realized that Sir Manny can be a huge source of inspiration to kids of today. He’s hardworking, determined to rise above poverty, and has high respect for his parents and family,” shared Buboy. “When Sir Manny stepped into amateur boxing, his goal was not to win. He wanted to help provide meals to his family and make his parents proud of him.”

Buboy assured moviegoers that there are still a lot that the world don’t know about Pacman. He quipped, “Before he became a world champion, he was Kid Kulafu who was filled fueled by passion and faith.”

“Kid Kulafu” was shot in select locations in Saranggani and General Santos City where Manny spent his childhood and teen years.

Portraying Manny’s parents Dionisia and Rosalio are award-winning actors Alessandra de Rossi and Alex Medina. Also part of the cast are Cesar Montano, Khalil Ramos and Igi Boy Flores. “Kid Kulafu” is written by Froilan Medina and under creative consultant Amor Olaguer and fight director Erwin Tagle.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN Store has released a collection of Kid Kulafu movie merchandise such as T-shirts, hoodies, and bags. The items may be bought at the ABS-CBN Store in The Loop located at the ABS-CBN Compound in Quezon City and online via www.abs-cbnstore.com. It will also be made available in selected cinema lobbies during the film’s theatrical release and in the following Elorde Gyms: Elorde Gilmore, Elorde Katipunan 1 and Elorde Maceda.

Don’t miss the biggest sports drama movie of the year, “Kid Kulafu,” to hit cinemas nationwide on April 15 (Wednesday).

For more information and latest updates about “Kid Kulafu” and other Star Cinema movies, simply visit StarCinema.com.ph, Facebook.com/StarCinema and Twitter.com/StarCinema.

Dyan Castillejo visits People’s Champion Manny Pacquiao during his training for his Mayweather fight this Thursday (Mar 12) on “Sports U.”

The “Pambansang Kamao” shares his thoughts to Dyan and gives a sneek peak of his preparations for the blockbuster bout on May 2 against American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. Jinkee Pacquiao also weighs in on the impending brawl.

Meanwhile, Miss Fitness Universe and triathlete Dwan Abantao shares her story on how she battled anorexia when she was younger. Dwan was a budding swimmer back then but had to stop to focus on her studies. She weathered through the storms of her life, vowing to change the way she lived when her mother died.

In Panalong Dyanfit, Dyan visits a fun run and gets to mingle with the participants as well as perform various exercises with them.

Tune in this Thursday (March 12) to “Sports U” on ABSCBN at 4:30PM. Follow their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SportsUtv) and Twitter (@SportsUTV) accounts for more updates. 

Also part of ABS-CBN’s new weekday current affairs block are Julius Babao in “Mission Possible” (Monday), Karen Davila, Atty. Claire Castro, and K Brosas in “3-in-1” (Tuesdays), Atom Araullo in “Reali-TV” (Wednesdays), and Anthony Taberna in “Tapatan ni Tunying” (Fridays).