Manny Pacquiao: Boxing's Biggest Star

March 13, 2010— -- When Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao isn't hitting his opponents, he's hitting the high notes -- or at least trying to.

With two platinum albums under his belt, Pacquiao is a bona fide pop star in the Philippines, perhaps owing his success mostly to his popularity rather than his singing talent.

Pacquiao recently showed off his singing on late night American TV, offering his rendition of "Nothing Is Going to Change My Love for You" by Glenn Medeiros on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" to a rousing ovation. Even Simon Cowell might be wary of belittling the musical talent of the welterweight champion of the world.

Pacquiao, 31, one of the most accomplished boxers in history, with a record seven titles in seven different weight classes, is too busy to worry if his singing isn't as good as his punching.

"Manny is a multi-tasker. He loves to stay busy," said Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach.

Singing isn't Pacquaio's only hobby outside the ring. He also acts. He's made seven films in the Philippines. His latest is an action film called "Wapakman."

"I play a super hero with a lot of powers," Pacquiao said. "It's kind of like Spider-Man mixed with Superman."

In the Philippines, Pacquiao's popularity is god-like. They say the crime rate drops when he fights because everyone is watching him on TV.

The shine even rubs off on Roach, a Boston guy with huge street cred in Manila.

"They say it's Manny, the president and then me -- the most popular people in the Philippines," Roach said.

Pacquiao is so popular and committed to his country that he is heading home after his next fight to run for Congress.

"In the Philippines, we need a leader that really wants to help the poor people," said Pacquiao, who lost his first bid for a congressional seat to a well-established incumbent in 2007. "I have experience being nothing, and I know how they feel."