Manny Pacquiao now a "doctor"

CEBU, Philippines - Amidst criticisms from the academe, Southwestern University yesterday conferred an honorary doctorate degree in humanities to boxing legend Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao to honor his contribution of reaping honors for the country through sports.

The conferment rights were held at the Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel yesterday afternoon.

SWU President Eldigario Gonzales said they are thankful that the Commission on Higher Education allowed them to confer the honorary degree to Pacquiao after CHED earlier disagreed that the university give out an honorary degree in human kinetics.

Gonzales said they were saddened that CHED did not approve of their original plan, considering that an honorary degree in human kinetics reportedly should have been more appropriate, considering that kinetics is the science of sports, physical activities and recreation.

But Gonzales said they are still thankful that CHED eventually allowed them to confer the humanities degree on Pacquiao.

Andrew Aznar, chairman of the board of directors of SWU, said Manny is an inspiration to all Filipinos, thus, he deserves the degree.

Dr. Rouel Longinos, Dean of the SWU Graduate School, also welcomed Pacquiao to their roster of alumni.

For his part, Pacquiao said he is deeply honored to be conferred the honorary degree.

SWU is the only school in the country that has a special center for sports development named Institute for Physical Education and Sports, which confers honorary degrees on athletes that show excellence in their field just like Pacquiao.

The conferment of the honorary degree was a unanimous decision of the SWU board of directors and the university’s student council. — Johanna Natavio/JMO   (THE FREEMAN)