Boxing icon and Philippine legend Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao has been officially named the Global Ambassador for the 2026 Junior Chamber International (JCI) World Congress, set to be held in Clark, Pampanga. The high-profile announcement was made during the JCI Kyoto Convention in Japan, signaling a major push to elevate the event’s global profile and drive tourism to the Philippines.
The strategic partnership between the 2026 JCI World Congress Organizing Committee and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines will leverage Pacquiao’s international fame to attract an estimated 6,000 delegates from more than 120 countries. The collaboration aims to position Clark as a premier Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) destination.
Concurrent with Pacquiao’s unveiling, the Philippine delegation, led by JCI Manila, held a significant meeting with former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso. Aso, who served as National President of JCI Japan in 1978, remains a key supporter of the organization. The meeting reinforced the strong historical and cultural ties between the Japanese and Philippine JCI chapters, with the delegation presenting custom oil paintings and connecting over Aso’s noted passion for manga, particularly the character Duke Togo from Golgo 13.
Driving Tourism and Global Engagement
As the face of the concurrent “Visit Philippines” campaign, Pacquiao’s role is central to the congress’s objectives. The partnership with TPB focuses on three key areas: achieving global visibility for the event and destination, solidifying Clark’s MICE branding, and capitalizing on the momentum from Kyoto to ensure a strong Japanese delegation in 2026.
“The success in Kyoto—from launching Manny Pacquiao to our personal meeting with former PM Taro Aso—shows that the 2026 World Congress is more than an event; it is a bridge for international relations,” said Luis Angelo Sevilla, World Congress Director. “We are grateful for the support of the TPB in making this vision a reality.”
JCI Manila, founded in 1947, is the first JCI chapter in the Philippines and Asia, dedicated to developing young leaders through community and business projects. The JCI World Congress is the annual flagship gathering of Junior Chamber International, a non-profit leadership organization for active citizens aged 18-40.#
