The world of social media has been set ablaze with a controversy that hits close to the heart of one of the world’s most famous families. Jinkee Pacquiao, the wife of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, is reportedly livid—or as the locals say, having a “bad trip”—over a storm of malicious accusations targeting her husband. The internet has been ruthless, painting the eight-division world champion as a neglectful father to his son, Eman Bacosa, who has recently found fame on TikTok. The narrative being spun is heartbreaking: a wealthy father living in luxury while his son sleeps on a foam mattress on the floor. However, a closer look at the facts reveals a story that is completely different from the one trending online, exposing a massive gap between reality and what is shown in a ten-minute vlog.

The controversy ignited after Eman Bacosa was featured in a popular television program hosted by Jessica Soho, where he showcased his humble living conditions. The sight of a simple room and a modest bed drew instant sympathy from millions of viewers. This emotional fire was fueled further when celebrity doctor Vicki Belo featured Eman in a vlog, taking him on a lavish shopping spree and gifting him a luxury watch worth millions. The contrast was stark and immediate for netizens: why was a stranger buying Manny Pacquiao’s son a Rolex while his own father seemingly gave him nothing? The comments section became a war zone, with thousands of users bashing Manny for allegedly abandoning his own flesh and blood while living a life of opulence.

But silence does not mean absence. As the hate train gathered speed, insiders close to the Pacquiao family stepped forward to drop a bombshell that silenced the critics. Bernard Cloma, a close confidant of the family, revealed evidence that contradicts the “neglect” narrative entirely. It turns out that long before the cameras started rolling and long before any vlogger decided to “help” Eman, Manny Pacquiao had already been there. Cloma posted proof that Manny had gifted Eman a luxury watch worth millions—a gift given in private, without the need for fanfare or YouTube views. This revelation shatters the image of Manny as an indifferent father and highlights a trait he is well known for: helping people without waiting for applause.

The support didn’t stop at jewelry. The narrative that Eman was left to fend for himself in a cramped apartment was also debunked by reports confirming that Manny had provided him with his own apartment in General Santos City years ago, well before the pandemic struck. The “poor boy” image that garnered so much pity online was perhaps a misunderstanding of Eman’s own choice to live simply or a snippet of his life taken out of context. The reality is that the Pacquiao patriarch ensured his son had a roof over his head and financial security long before the public even knew Eman’s name. The disconnect between the public’s perception and the private reality serves as a harsh lesson on how quickly misinformation can spread when fueled by emotion rather than facts.

Jinkee Pacquiao’s reported frustration is entirely understandable given the context. For years, she has stood by Manny, and reports indicate that she has also been supportive of Eman, contrary to the typical dramatic tropes of a “wicked stepmother” often played out in soap operas. The accusations of neglect are not just an attack on Manny but a slight against the entire family’s values. The Pacquiao family has a long history of philanthropy, giving away houses and millions of pesos to strangers; it defies logic to think they would starve their own kin. The “bad trip” Jinkee is feeling is the result of a public that is too quick to judge based on short video clips, ignoring decades of character evidence that proves Manny’s generosity.

What many fail to realize is that Manny Pacquiao operates from a different era and a different mindset. He grew up in extreme poverty, and his rise to wealth hasn’t changed his humble nature. He does not feel the need to broadcast every peso he gives to his children on Instagram or TikTok. In a world where “pics or it didn’t happen” is the rule, Manny’s silent support for Eman was easily misinterpreted as neglect. However, for those who know the boxing legend, this privacy is a sign of respect for his son, allowing Eman to build his own identity without being constantly overshadowed by his father’s immense wealth and fame.

The role of content creators and social media in this saga cannot be ignored. The “poverty porn” angle—highlighting Eman’s humble bed and simple life—generates views and clicks. It creates a compelling underdog story that naturally paints the wealthy parent as the villain. But as the truth comes out, it becomes clear that the drama was largely manufactured. Eman himself has defended his father, stating that Manny supports him and provides for his needs. The young social media star has tried to quell the bashing, showing respect for his father that contradicts the anger of his fans. It seems the only people upset are the netizens who feel entitled to know every detail of the family’s financial arrangements.

As the dust settles, the “receipts” provided by the Pacquiao camp stand as undeniable proof. The luxury watch, the apartment, and the financial support were always there; they just weren’t posted for likes. This incident serves as a reminder that social media is a curated reality, often far removed from the truth. Jinkee and Manny Pacquiao have once again weathered a storm of public opinion, proving that their actions speak louder than the noise of the internet. For Eman Bacosa, the challenge now is to navigate his own fame, separate from the shadow of his father, while the world learns that sometimes, the greatest support is the kind that doesn’t need to be filmed.