If you’re a fan of professional boxing, you’ve probably heard of Manny Pacquiao. The Filipino boxer is considered one of the best in the world. Pacquiao’s won 12 major world titles. He’s not only known in the world of boxing. He’s also made a name for himself as a basketball player, actor, entertainer, and politician.

But in his home country, he’s known the most for his charitable giving.

Now, Pacquiao’s taking philanthropy to a new level. He’s building 1,000 homes for the poor with money taken out of his own pocket.

Giving to the poor is a cause that’s near and dear to Pacquiao’s heart.

Why? Because he grew up in poverty. Pacquiao was one of six children with his mother raising them all alone. With little to eat, he often skipped school so he could spend the day working to earn some extra money for his family.

“I became a fighter because I had to survive,” he said.

“I had nothing. I had no one to depend on except myself. I realized that boxing was something I was good at, and I trained hard so that I could keep myself and my family alive.”

Back in 2015, Pacquiao fought against Floyd Merryweather. It was dubbed the Fight of the Century. Although he lost the fight, he walked away with $150 million — or so reports say.

But Pacquiao strongly believes in doing good things with the wealth he’s earned.

So, he decided he’d take on his biggest project yet with what he earned from the Merryweather fight.

“I’m so happy giving these houses free to my constituents in the Sarangani Province from my own pocket – more than a thousand families are the beneficiaries,” he said in a post on Facebook. “I feel what they’re feeling because I’ve been there. “I’ve slept in the street. That was my life before. So hard. That’s why I feel what they’re feeling right now.”

In the Philippines, Pacquiao has a reputation for meeting people on the street and giving them money or food.

Since 2007, he’s served his home country as a politician, first as a congressman and then as a senator. Today, he’s still determined to give back the riches he’s worked so hard to earn.

“Give thanks to God for what you have received today. It’s a gift from Him,” said Pacquiao. “He’s just using me to help you. Take good care of this property and don’t sell it. I will never forget where I came from. I thank God for allowing me to help other people.”

For Pacquiao, part of that means never forgetting where he came from.

He might be a wealthy man now, but he didn’t start there. And that means he’ll always remember those who are poor and in need.

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Source: Shareably, All That’s Interesting, USA Today, Borgen Magazine, Facebook