The man behind the acronym (In the eyes of those close to him)

Many Filipinos know him by his acronym, MVP. To his employees and business associates, he is the “boss” who chairs board meetings and from whom they get their marching orders. For Pinoy basketball fans, he is a recognizable sports aficionado, seating by the courtside bench, in his capacity as president of the Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas and as a leading patron of some of the country’s top PBA teams. But for us atTV5, he is the reasonable voice

in every program committee meeting, our chairman who steers the company into his vision of what the future of communications should be in the 21st century.

Yesterday, July 14, we celebrated the birthday of the man behind the acronym, whose MVP Group now ranks among the biggest aggrupation of successful businesses in the country. He is Manny V. Pangilinan, the man who commands such respect and admiration in the business community that you wonder who he is outside the boardroom, away from the corporate air of his office room and just simply in the company of loyal associates and very dear friends.

I had been privileged to catch a glimpse of who MVP is where he is most comfortable — at home. Almost a year ago today, he agreed to have his Hong Kong condo featured in a nation- al magazine. I’ve known him to be a very private person and it was as hot in the dark to ask if he was willing to open his home to the mil- lions of readers of Yes! magazine. And he consented. For those few memorable hours, I got to stand close to him, listening to his conversations and observing him in the company of his close associates. It was then that I truly appreciated his passion, his acumen, the depth of his mind—and I understood how he has come to be the visionary who has changed so many lives.

His status as a business magnate and highly esteemed man may seem daunting to some, but MVP is surprisingly soft- spoken and modest in person. During the magazine interview, MVP welcomed us into his flat which occupied the entire floor of a high-rise condo in an exclusive Hong Kong neighborhood overlooking the bay. Wearing a plaid shirt, denim jeans and loafers, he looked relaxed and was in the mood to banter with those around. Immediately upon entering his well-kept home, I noticed a rosary on top of every table in the spacious condo unit. And as I sat down to listen to the interview, I got to know the pious man who collects rosaries from his trips abroad and who makes it a point to visit Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan every year. The conversation with his household staff was light and easy that I readily felt the warm affection between the man and his personal staff, most of whom have been with him for years. It was a feel-good moment as everyone seemed relaxed and at ease. MVP was all smiles until we requested him to stand in the balcony that gave him a 180-degree view of Hong Kong island. That was when he started to feel uneasy and revealed his fear of heights. Nevertheless, he gamely posed for the camera. We were done with the interview and photo shoot in a matter of minutes, but my privileged glimpse and humbling impression of this remarkable man stayed with me to this day.

I know that the few hours we spent with MVP were just a peek into the person he truly is, so I conducted a little survey and asked his relatives, associates and the people close to him to share their insights on who to them is this great man we know as MVP.

Tess De Los Reyes, youngest sister of MVP

My brother has always been very generous and concerned about our welfare.

When I was stricken with breast cancer in 2006, he immediately asked me to go to the United States for treatment. I was hesitant because it meant I would be away from my family but he assured me I could bring my husband, Oggie, and children along. But I’ve seen some of my family members who went abroad to seek medication and became depressed because they were away from their families that I decided to just stay here in Manila. With much hesitation, MVP respected my decision but made sure that I got the best treatment here. He would always call my husband and children to check on me and how I was doing with my chemo treatment. As a young student, he was the most studious among us three siblings and he has always been generous and protective of us, his two siblings. MVP also took care of our eldest brother, Rene "Chiqui" Pangilinan (deceased).

John de los Reyes, nephew of MVP

“Tito Manny is a very giving person. During the time that I wanted to study in the US, I went to see him and asked him if he could help me fund (my education). He has always been very supportive of all of us and he agreed to help me pay for my tuition. I didn’t want to keep on ask- ing my parents or Tito Manny for help for everything I needed in school so I decided to look for a part-time job. When he found out that I was somehow earning already, he stopped paying for my tuition which made me seek scholarship. This taught me the value of money, how hard it is to earn it and how it should be used wisely. Up to this day, I’m truly thankful for everything Tito Manny has taught me and has done for our whole family.”

Edilbert ‘Abet’ Dungo, PLDT AVP and executive assistant of MVP for the past 14 years

“There are three qualities I admire most about MVP: perseverance, mental tough- ness and resiliency. I have seen these traits several times at work and even if there

are obstacles that block his way to achieve something he really wants to do, he will not stop until it’s done. But what people do not know is that he is most comfort- able outside his business suit. He is a very simple person though a fastidious dresser. He goes to the same Hong Kong tailor for his suits and whenever there is time to shop during breaks or in-between meetings abroad, he does a little shopping.

His free time is spent playing badminton, watching movies and having lunch with his closest friends. When it comes to dining, he is OK to be served in plastic ware and his sense of humor normally surfaces in the company of intimate associates and friends.”

Eleanor Gaudia, Hong Kong house- keeper, has worked for MVP for 18 years

“Wala akong mahahanap na boss na kasing bait ni boss. I have been with boss for the past 18 years and I have seen how generous he is with his personal household staff. I was with him in Manila but he brought me to Hong Kong to watch over his con- do. I keep the unit for him but he knows I don’t cook well so whenever he wants to eat, he asks us to go out and eat with him. He also takes us with him to the movies... and pasyal. Masaya siyang kasama kami. His driver, his butler and me. I feel though that he works too hard: He goes to the office at 9 a.m., sometimes earlier, and comes back at 12 midnight. Sobrang sipag. So when he wants to relax, especially when he is in Hong Kong, sinasama niya kami. Oh, and he likes shoes. And my husband, who is MVP’s driver in Manila, gets to “acquire” MVP’s shoes. Madalas, mga bago pa kasi magka-shoe size sila.”

Butch Jimenez, PLDT SVP, has worked with MVP for 13 years

One of MVP’s traits that strike me the most is his insight. He has a way of looking at situations, issues, problems, cross- roads and decisions with a unique sense of insight that no one else sees. I guess one way of calling it is, also, wisdom. His journey over the years has definitely given him a wealth of wisdom to draw from.

Lawyer Ray Espinosa, associate director of First Pacific. Has worked with MVP for 13 years

I admire his decisiveness, drive and demanding work ethic. These are inspiring and essential qualities of a great and wise leader.

One of his officers, who requests anonymity as she is uncomfortable expressing her sentiments publicly, sums up why MVP is an admirable boss:

“He cares about our country and the plight of our countrymen, as shown in the tangible steps he takes toward progress and alleviation of poverty. He cares about the companies he leads and is commit- ted to uphold corporate governance and ethical business conduct. He cares about the employees and strongly supports programs for their development and the improvement of the quality of their lives. He is also forgiving because he gives those who stumble a second chance to reform and prove their worth.”