MANILA, Philippines — Perhaps the biggest highlight in Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao’s banner year was his entry into a field where he is nothing but a neophyte – the field of national politics.

Manny’s win as the representative of the lone district of Sarangani was another milestone for the Pacman – it makes him the only active boxer to become a congressman here in the country.

In this final excerpt taken from chapter “The Great Race for Congress” of the book, “Pacman: My Story of Hope, Resilience, and Never-Say-Never Determination,” Pacquiao talks about the night of his victory and hints at what lies ahead for him and his political career.

“We set up our base in the back of Mayor Pepito’s home, which was a two-room maids’ quarter equipped with its own bathroom. We brought in 15 computers, landlines, printers, walkie-talkies, phones, radios, tables for food, and huge chalkboards and dry-erase boards to lay out our game plan and to manage the entire campaign.”

“When we first got to the location, I showed everyone around and explained how we used this place to continually monitor the campaign. Monitoring meant waiting, and I was anxious.”

“At approximately 9:45 p.m., a call came through on one of our small military-style black hand-held radios.”

“My smile was huge because I then got a phone call confirming that the first votes had come in and in all of the cities they were showing I was leading the race. It was turning into a landslide – this time in my favor.”

“This was one of the most incredible nights of my life – much different than boxing, and much Tondodifferent than winning a title. It was like all my life I had been giving to my country, and my country just gave everything back to me. In the early morning hours, I was named the winner. It was May 10, 2010 when I won a seat in my country’s Congress by a landslide.”

“I know it sounds very basic, but I just want to help my people. Isn’t that enough? Isn’t that what public work is supposed to be about when stripped to its core? I knew that my people had given me so much because without them I wouldn’t be a world-famous boxer. Now, it was my turn to give back to them.”

“Now, I’m asked if my congressional seat is just one more stepping stone to someday becoming president of the Philippines. I won’t shut that door. I know I’ll never forget the moment when Bob (Arum) burst into my room to tell me, ‘You won, Mr. Congressman!’ He also did a nice little dance, which isn’t Bob’s usual way.”

“I guess this news even stunned him. Maybe one day Bob will burst through my door and say, ‘Congratulations, Mr. President!’”