THE Manila premier of “Kid Kulafu”, a film about Philippine boxer, Manny Pacquiao’s childhood was held on Tuesday (April 14) ahead of one of boxings most anticipated fights between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr expected next month.
The film is named after a brand of wine bottles Pacquiao collected as a child, and tells the story of the boxer’s journey from his humbling beginnings to events that inspired him to step into the boxing ring.
Director, Paul Soriano wanted to show the challenges and determination that contributed to Pacquiao’s success.
“He’s just like any one of us. He was just a young boy that had a dream. He was born with nothing, but because of God, because of hard work and faith, he became something,” he said.
Two years of research went into the film, much of which was through a series of conversations with Pacquiao, Soriano said.
Filipino actor Buboy Villar, who played the young Pacquiao, said the challenge was portraying the boxer’s inner strength.
“Everybody can mimick his moves, but you can’t easily copy his courage. Pacquiao always faces people who are bigger than him, and as you can see, he’s scrawny as a kid, so I think all the rough experiences he has growing up helped make him strong,” he said.
‘Kid Kulafu’ will open in Philippine cinemas on April 15 and will also be shown in select U.S. andCanada theatres from April 24.
The film is released ahead of a May 2 fight bringing Mayweather and Pacquiao face to face. The fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas between Mayweather and Filipino southpaw Pacquiao is expected to be the highest grossing bout in history. (Reuters)