Pacman deep into Bible study

At 33 years old, it seems Manny Pacquiao has found religion.

The boxing champion made the headlines yesterday after saying in a radio interview that God spoke to him in a dream, and was told to retire from boxing.

Pacquiao said he would make a major announcement “on a religious note” later this month or before he starts training for a June fight with American Tim Bradley.

What the announcement would be is anybody’s guess. Pacquiao, who has been into Bible studies the last few

months, could just take it another step further.

“When I speak, a lot of people listen,” he told radio station dzmm.

Does he want to be the next Velarde, the founder of the Catholic charismatic religious group El Shaddai?

The 72-year-old Velarde reportedly has a following of eight million worldwide.

Velarde started out with a weekly Bible-quoting radio program over dwxi, which he acquired in 1982 or four years after he conquered a heart ailment.

According to El Shaddai’s official website, “Listeners began reporting that his (Velarde) voice had cured their afflictions,” and in 1984, Velarde christened his show “El Shaddai,” a biblical name for God that he found in a US religious pamphlet. The rest is history. Pacquiao is so deep into Bible studies these days he would often send text messages spreading the word of God.

“I will keep sending you these text messages as long as you promise me that you keep the words of the Lord in your heart,” he said recently.

Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee responded to a text from The STAR yesterday that the congressman from Sarangani could be the next Mike Velarde. “Amen,” she replied. “It would be better to serve God first then the people of God. Without God, we can do nothing. To Him be all the glory,” said Jinkee.

She also said her husband is so lucky that the Lord has chosen him to help others, especially the poor.

Since he started taking Bible studies seriously last year, Pacquiao has given up his vices, and according to Jinkee and those around him, he’s already “a changed man.”

Pacquiao has stopped going to the casinos, and has shied away from parties and late nights with friends. He has given up cockfighting as well, giving away all his fighting cocks to friends.

He has cut all forms of gambling, and has reportedly given up his shares in his favorite poker place in Manila. He has also sold his billiards parlor in General Santos City.

Pacquiao’s statements made over the radio stirred reports that this could be his last fight, but as early as last month he already said there are a couple more fights left.

He’s still hoping the superfight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. would happen. Then there’s the possibility of a rematch with Miguel Cotto or a fourth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez.

Meanwhile, Marbel, South Cotabato Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines ( CBCP) Permanent Council member Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes praised Pacquiao for announcing his plans to retire from boxing soon.

“I have long told him to retire,” Gutierrez said, adding that there was no need for Pacquiao to prove himself by fighting Mayweather.

He said that since Pacquiao claimed that he heard God’s voice, then he should abide by it soon.

Bastes said Pacquiao should retire from boxing because he seems to have been converted.

“Sometimes in the Bible, as we read, God appears to people in his dream so the result is very good,” he said, adding that the prayers of Pacquiao’s mother Mommy Dionisia could have been answered.

“We in the Catholic Church consider boxing a bit immoral because it makes people kill people, many people (have been) killed by boxing,” added Bastes.