Being the son of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao might seem like a ticket to endless happiness, but for Michael Pacquiao, it was a different story—one marked by depression, bullying, and even thoughts of suicide.
Fortunately, he was able to pivot from his darkest moments and come out as a better person, transforming into a rising hip-hop artist.
In his interview with broadcaster Julius Babao, Michael shared how he defeated his unseen enemy. “I’m okay now. I don’t have that (depression) anymore,” said Michael, revealing that family, sports, and music greatly helped him overcome his mental struggles.
Michael revealed that he found solace in the ring, where he vented out pent-up emotions and anger.
“The helpful part was going to the gym to let out my emotions. Yung boxing ang parang therapy ko. Dinaan ko sa exercise,” he added.
At the same time, music became his sanctuary. Whether immersing himself in beats or creating them, music played a vital role in his journey to healing.
“Listening to music, even by myself, helped… and making music,” he related.
He also emphasized the immense support of his family, especially his loving parents. “They comforted me. My dad talked to me. We prayed. So I felt nice, it became better,” shared the young artist.
And having successfully overcome depression, Michael now wants to share his wisdom with those facing similar struggles: “You are not alone. You can talk to someone. And don’t let feelings determine your choice of action. It’s just a feeling, temporary lang naman ang feeling. Kaya naman labanan,” he stressed.
