Pacquiao Turns 36, Gets Promotion In Philippine Coast Guard, Making Him A 1-Star General

Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao just added another title to his growing lists of hats to wear on Wednesday, his 36^th birthday. He was promoted to honorary Commodore of the Executive Squadron by the Philippine Coast Guard where he is a member of its Auxiliary Unit.

He is also a reservist lieutenant colonel in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

As part of the Executive Squadron, he would be tapped to help during calamities, which gives him the chance to allow the use of his personal yacht and helicopter for delivery of relief goods and search and rescue missions.

That just made the southpaw congressman representing the province of Sarangani a 1-star general, reports GMA. The commodore is the equivalent of a 1-star general.

Pacquiao celebrated his birthday at a convention centre of a mall in General Santos City, his hometown. Since the boxer is a born-again Christian, part of the celebration was praise and worship and sharing the word of God to guests and well-wishers, which includes members of Team Pacquiao and fellow athletes.

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In a way, it is still an extended celebration of his victory against American boxer Chris Algieri on Nov 22.

Before the party, Pacquiao gave away Christmas food packs to province mates in General Santos City and Sarangani Province.

At the same time, he also reiterated his desire to fight Floyd Mayweather on May 2, not minding that the American boxer would get the larger share of the guaranteed purse. He challenged Money May to be true to keep his word and push through with the bout, although Pacquiao admits that until he is on the ring with Mayweather, for him the dream match is still a 50-50 thing at this point because of Mayweather's past history of changing his mind.