Regarded as one of the greatest professional boxers of all time, Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao has put his name to Bali’s latest sports bar development. Originally from the Philippines, the highly decorated sportsman has signed a deal with the Dynasty Group to open the Pacman Sports Bar and Lounge on the Island of the Gods.
Pacquiao, known to many simply as Manny, or Pacman, is a four-times welterweight world boxing champion. He has served as a Senator in the Philippines government since 2016 and even ran for president in the 2021/22 elections. Pacquiao appears to be seizing the opportunity to expand into the Indonesian market as a proud sportsman, businessman, and politician. He is a prominent public figure and is followed by over 7 million people on Instagram alone.
Speaking at a lavish launch event on Wednesday 14th September, Pacquiao shared his newly found affection for Bali and his hopes for the project. He said, ‘So I am very grateful that Dynasty Group has invited me to be a part of this business. I am very happy… It’s my first time here in Bali to see how beautiful places are, and of course, I can say now that Bali is a good place to go and vacation. Especially to bring your family’.
He continued to tell reporters about his love of Bali and how it reminded him of home. He said, ‘People here are similar to those in the Philippines, the face is the same, the culture is similar, and the language is also similar’.
Pacman Sports Bar and Lounge is being created by Dynasty Group, the company behind ERA VIP Club that will soon open on the resort island. Both venues will be on Jalan Batu Beling in Seminyak. The club is set to introduce a ‘new era’ of nightlife and entertainment to the area. No date has been announced for the opening of Era, but the company is already promoting the club on social media, advertising membership, and VIP perks.
According to Elgerome Garcia, a representative of Dynasty Group, the Pacaman Sports Bar and Lounge will present an opportunity to help the recovery of Bali’s economy. Garcia said, ‘We are looking for ways that we can help local communities to be able to create more job opportunities. Of course, also in the hope of helping more people’.
The Pacman Sports Bar and Lounge is described as an ‘exclusive VIP sports bar and lounge’. It is noted as being ‘backed’ by Manny Pacquiao, but it has not been confirmed whether he has personally invested in the project. During the press conference, he simply said, ‘I am interested in investing in this business’.
Pacquiao, high profile visit has caused quite the stir. He has been chauffeured with a police escort, and he and his wife have stayed at some of the island’s most luxurious hotels. Pacquiao is joined on the trip to Bali with his wife, Jinkee Pacquiao. They have enjoyed time at The Apurva Kempinski Hotel and The Edge Hotel in Uluwatu.
Local news reports have likened Pacquiao’s stake in the new sports bar to that of celebrity lawyer Hotman Paris; a major stakeholder in Canggu’s latest beach club venue, Atlas Beach Fest. The venue opened amidst controversy for the parent company’s operations across Indonesia. The company found itself in the middle of a blasphemy scandal after creating a drinks promotion that was considered deeply offensive to the country’s majority Muslim population.
Nevertheless, Atlas Beach Club opened its doors and has become Bali’s biggest one-stop entertainment venue. The development caused even more of a scandal just weeks after opening as it was discovered that they opened to the public before all their licenses and permits were formally granted.
No date has been announced for the opening of Pacman Sports Bar and Lounge. The facility remains under development in Batu Beling, in Seminyak. The club is close to other popular venues like Mari Beach Club and Kahuna.
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Shorty
Wednesday 21st of September 2022
He's from the Philippines, not originally... Apart from licensing his name for an agreed fee he probably has no interest or involvment in what will probably be just one of other Pacman Sports Bars in other Dynasty properties.
Torino
Sunday 18th of September 2022
Just another Bule' going bankrupt and beig ripped off by balineses.
Exp
Friday 16th of September 2022
Quote "The club is set to introduce a ‘new era’ of nightlife and entertainment to the area."
This probably means no more sleep for residents from loud music and motorbikes??
Area near the beaches are defined as tourist zone but in reality there are thousands of permanent residents living in these zones.
People investing in villa business or own villa might find the investment worthless if an entertainment venue open nearby. There is plenty evidence of this online.
So allowing this type of entertainment venues to be mixed with villa/housing areas means that local authorities do not care at all about residents living there. Instead well connected people can apparently more or less do what they want.
These types of venues would have been closed immediately if they tried to open in (lets say) Jakarta residential areas.
Rod Wilkinson
Friday 16th of September 2022
Now that’s cultural,
Firechef
Friday 16th of September 2022
Let's face it...Manny doesn't give a hoot about Bali, all he cares about is the money he is being paid for his name being used. As for the night club...just what Bali needs, another noisy place to rip off the tourists. What the heck, just call Bali the Las Vegas of Asia instead of the Island of the God's, at least that would be honest.
Torino
Sunday 18th of September 2022
@Firechef, bali is the crooks paradise of Indonesia, Sianukville is the real thing..watch out!
J West
Saturday 17th of September 2022
@Firechef, Actually, Bali is lucky the Chinese Mob hasn’t directed its focus towards Bali…..yet. Bali could easily become another ‘Snookyville’ .