Manny V. Pangilinan: Beyond business, a life fueled by sports and service

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‘The values required in business — focus, hard work, discipline — are the same values you see in sports. At the end of the day, you have to be able to counter failures,’ says tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Manny V. Pangilinan’s name is synonymous with power and influence. He built an empire that stretches across telecommunications, infrastructure, and media.

Yet behind the powerful corporate figure is a man whose life has been shaped by quiet summers in Baguio, a lifelong love for sports, and an unwavering belief that discipline and grit can bring Filipinos to the global arena.

His journey from playful childhood summers at Teachers Camp to managing top-tier companies and supporting Philippine sports reflects a story that is as much about heart as it is about strategy.

Baguio summers

Baguio has always had a special place in MVP’s heart. But it’s not the posh hotels or corporate events that bring a twinkle to his eye. It’s Teachers Camp, where he spent many childhood summers.

“When I was a child and my grandfather was made superintendent of public schools, we would spend a month each summer in Baguio. We stayed at Teachers Camp, and that was my playground,” he recalled fondly.

It was during those summers that a young Manny roamed the pine-scented grounds, unaware that he would one day lead some of the country’s most prominent corporations.

His father, appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. as director of baseball, was busy developing the sport, while his mother poured her heart into supporting the San Beda Red Lions basketball team.

“My mom worked with other mothers to help San Beda basketball during my elementary and high school years. They’d prepare sandwiches and soft drinks for the team. She was also a very keen spectator of tennis. Pete Sampras was her favorite,” he shared to Rappler.

Badminton, squash, and the price of passion

MVP’s connection to sports goes beyond boardroom decisions. His own athletic journey began with badminton, which he picked up in Hong Kong as a young employee.

“I learned how to play badminton in Hong Kong when I was working for American Express. China and Hong Kong had a keen interest in the sport, and I learned from my Chinese colleagues,” he recounted.

But when court schedules became too tight, MVP pivoted to squash, a sport that left a lasting mark, quite literally.

“Squash was how I hurt my knees, and I still feel it to this day,” he said with a laugh.

When he returned to the Philippines, he went back to badminton, which was equally unforgiving on the knees.

Nowadays, he still plays badminton three times a week, often with varsity players or members of the national team.

“I play with people who are probably 1/3 of my age. It keeps the sport interesting. And of course, they lose, because if they don’t, I bully them into submission,” he joked with a grin.

Courtside rivalries, collegiate basketball

For someone who claims to be “height-challenged,” MVP’s love for basketball runs deep. His three PBA teams — TNT Tropang Giga, Meralco Bolts, and NLEX Road Warriors — often clash with San Miguel Corporation’s powerhouse teams.

“You want the polite answer?” he teased when asked about the rivalry with Ramon S. Ang’s teams. But the competitor in him couldn’t resist giving the real answer.

“It’s obviously competitive. I’m sure San Miguel feels the same way, and that’s good. If you’re going to compete, you might as well compete well. Because otherwise, there’s no support for the team,” he said with a knowing smile.

When it comes to collegiate basketball, MVP has witnessed how the landscape has evolved.

“In the past two years, Ateneo hasn’t won the championship, but I’m glad that the competitive level of the other collegiate teams has risen significantly. That’s good for the sport and for Philippine basketball in general,” he observed.

MVP attributes this rise to better team management and increased media coverage, which has drawn more attention to the games and allowed for greater financial support for athletes.

“The media coverage has a great deal to do with it because it attracts a lot more people. It also enables us to provide more financial help to athletes,” he explained.

He cited Carlos Yulo and Hidilyn Diaz as examples of athletes who brought global attention to gymnastics and weightlifting.

Tour of Luzon: Cycling back to glory

MVP’s commitment to nurturing Philippine sports extends to cycling. He’s leading the revival of the Tour of Luzon, a race he fondly remembers from his youth.

“When I was young, the Tour of Luzon was one of the major sports events in the country. So I said, if we do it, we do it seriously and properly. We do it better,” he declared.

This year’s Tour of Luzon, spanning over a thousand kilometers, will start in Ilocos Norte and end in Baguio. But for MVP, this isn’t just about bringing back a beloved race. It’s about creating a training ground for Filipino cyclists to prepare for the global stage.

“We’d like the Tour of Luzon to be a laboratory for that. A preparatory way for them to compete. I think our physique can accommodate the ability to compete globally in cycling,” he said.

Sports as great equalizer

MVP firmly believes that sports is the great equalizer, offering opportunities to those who may not have the resources but possess the discipline and heart to succeed.

“You don’t really need to be rich to excel. In fact, it’s a great incentive for those who are less endowed with material needs. Basketball is one of them. Athletes like Hidilyn Diaz and Carlos Yulo prove that, too. They’re prime examples,” he emphasized.

He sees the same principles reflected in both sports and business. Success, whether on the court or in the boardroom, requires resilience.

“The values required in business — focus, hard work, discipline — are the same values you see in sports. At the end of the day, you have to be able to counter failures. If you get defeated, be gracious in defeat. If you win, be magnanimous,” he stressed.

The man behind the empire

MVP’s business empire is vast and influential, but what stood out most was the heart behind the hustle. He still carries his mother’s passion for basketball and his father’s dedication to baseball development.

He’s a man who plays badminton not just for fitness, but for the sheer joy of competing. And he’s someone who believes that with discipline, focus, and the right support, Filipinos can excel on the global stage, in business and in sports.

“If I weren’t a businessman or a sports manager? I’d like to think I could have tried both — to be a national badminton player and maybe something else,” he said, half-jokingly.

But knowing MVP, he likely would have been exceptional at either.

While that alternate life remains a playful “what if,” his real-life story is one where heart and hustle continue to redefine what’s possible for the Filipino. – Rappler.com

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