GUSTONG patunayan ni Michael Pacquiao ang sarili, at hindi lang makilala bilang anak ng boxing champ at incumbent senator na si Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao.
Ito ang inamin ng 18-anyos na aspiring rapper sa eksklusibong panayam ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) nitong Huwebes ng gabi, August 13.
Gumawa ng ingay si Michael dahil sa viral video ng live performance nito sa Wish 107.5 Bus, kung saan live niyang kinanta ang kanyang original rap song na "Hate."
In-upload ang video noong August 5. As of this writing ay pumalo na sa mahigit 8.6 million views nito sa YouTube.
Number four din ito ngayon sa trending videos sa YouTube.
Si Michael ang pangalawa sa limang anak nina Manny at Jinkee Pacquiao, na naging Sarangani vice governor mula 2013 hanggang 2016.
Ang iba pa nilang mga anak ay sina Jimuel, 19; Mary Divine Grace, 13; Queen Elizabeth, 11; at Israel, 5.
MICHAEL WANTS TO PROVE HIMSELF
Marami ang na-impress sa ipinamalas na rap skill ni Michael sa kantang siya mismo ang nagsulat.
Inusisa ng PEP.ph si Michael kung ano ang naging reaksiyon ng kanyang mga magulang na naging hit ang kanyang kanta.
"They're really proud. They're happy. They congratulated me," sagot niya nang makausap namin via Zoom app.
Maging siya raw ay hindi inakalang tatangkilin ng publiko ang kanyang kanta.
"It's really surprising how in a few days, it already reached millions," ani Michael, na halatang nahihiya at naiilang sa interview.
Pero ipinagtapat ng baguhang rapper na may mga nagsasabing humakot lamang daw ng million views ang kanyang video dahil sa kanyang apelyido.
"And people would say, it has to do with my last name. But, you know, I understand naman.
"But at the same time, it's, like, I work hard to achieve what I am."
Kung iintindihing maigi ang lyrics ng "Hate," pahayag ito ng isang taong gustong patunayan ang sarili sa sariling pagsisikap. Tungkol ito sa determinasyong makakuha ng respeto at mangibabaw sa "hate" ng ibang tao.
Dahil siya ang nagsulat, inamin ni Michael na base ito sa kanyang personal na karanasan.
Pero tumanggi siyang magdetalye kung ano ang kanyang mga pinagdaanan na pinaghugutan niya para isulat ang kanta.
Tanong ng PEP.ph: gustong niyang patunayan ang sarili?
"Yes. In the song, I actually wanted to prove myself. That's how I felt in the song," pagkumpirma ng binata.
"I wanted to prove that I can. I have talent and I have something. I don't just rely on my parents."
Gusto raw niyang suklian ang paghihirap ng kanyang mga magulang, gamit ang sariling sikap.
"'Cause I have desire also to give back.
"I wanna work hard as well 'cause my dad worked hard for everything he has [done] and also for us.
"And I wanna do the same-work hard for everything that I will have, that I want to have, and give back to my mom and dad because they did so much."
Dahil public figures ang mga magulang, tampulan din sila ng kritisismo.
Hindi ba siya pinigilan ng kanyang mga magulang sa kagustuhan niyang maging music artist dahil maaari siyang mabatikos?
"They didn't really [discourage me]," sagot ni Michael.
"I think to them it's, like, 'If you have a dream, you should follow it. We can't stop anyone from achieving your goal.
"'You have a lot of obstacles in the way, but you can conquer it. You just be patient lang.'
"And they just supported me. They were proud. Happy."
PROS AND CONS OF BEING A PACQUIAO
Ano naman ang pros ang cons ng pagkakaroon ng kilalang apelyido?
"Let's see... I mean, I can think of a lot of cons. But there's a lot of pros, too.
"But in the cons, I can't really go out, buy yourself. You have to have security, gano'n."
Ang pros naman, aniya, "You can inspire, I guess, motivate others, as well. Like what my dad is doing.
"He gives back, donate... stuff like that. He helps the poor.
"That's a motivation and inspiration to a lot of people.
"And he also boxes, so Philippine pride," nangingiting niyang sabi.
Dagdag ni Michael, "You can help others."
SUPPORT SYSTEM
Ayon pa kay Michael, hindi na bago sa kanya ang makatanggap ng kritisismo, pero matibay raw ang kanyang support system.
"I have a lot of people I can talk to, I guess. They're always there for me, so that's how I deal with it.
"And to be honest, I don't really mind.
"Some of the criticisms are funny too. But some of them were actually, like, would hit me.
"But at the same time, I would have my family around and they are always there for me."
Sabi pa ni Michael, hilig talaga niya ang musika, na siyang pinagtutuunan niya ng oras.
"And I like to dance. I play the piano, and I beatbox.
"And most of the time, I don't go out. I just stay at home or in my room," pagbabahagi niya.
Natawa naman si Michael nang inalalang matindi ang kanyang nerbiyos nang kantahin niya ang kanyang rap song sa Wish 107.5.
Kilala ang radio station sa paggi-guest ng singers sa kanilang booth na isang moving bus, at kadalasan ay milyun-milyon ang views ng videos mula sa live performances ng guests.
"All I wanted was to perform on the Wish Bus," sambit ni Michael, na aminadong walang professional training sa pagkanta o pag-rap.
"I only did this because I loved it.
"I would share my music to everyone because I want to share my talent to people, and hopefully, inspire and motivate other people to do what they want to do, and share their talent as well."
Nakatakdang ilabas ni Michael ang kanyang second single sa susunod na buwan.
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This story originally appeared on PEP.ph.
Minor edits have been made by the SPIN.ph editors.
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