Hechanova, founding PSC chair, 84

MANILA, Philippines – Sad news hit Philippine sports on Holy Tuesday as Atty. Cecil Hechanova, founding chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, passed away at age 84. 

Hechanova, who headed the government sports body from 1990 to 1992, had been in poor health due to lingering illness. He died in his sleep.

“He’s been very sick for the past few years,” said current PSC chief Richie Garcia.

It was under the watch of Hechanova, non-playing captain of the Putra Cup champion team in 1970-72 prior to his appointment to the PSC by then President Cory Aquino, that the country experienced the so-called “Miracle of 1991” in hosting the Southeast Asian Games, and successfully staged the World Chess Olympiad.

“We hosted a very important event during the time of Cecil, the 1991 SEA Games where we ended up second and missed the overall by only one gold medal. We also hosted the Chess Olympiad during his time,” said Garcia.

The 1991 SEAG staging was a major highlight of Hechanova’s tenure, boosting the nation’s confidence and spirits in those trying times.

“The Filipinos’ morale was very low then because of many disasters – the Pinatubo eruption, the killer earthquake in Baguio and many attempted coups. There was political turmoil,” Hechanova told The STAR in a 2011 interview.

“But the success of the SEA Games provided the confidence to the Philippine leadership. The good showing of the Philippines boosted the spirit of President Cory Aquino,” he added.

The 1992 Chess Olympiad was another high point of his tenure.

“Right after the SEA Games, we held the Chess Olympiad, and the chess masters, Anatoly Karpov and Gary Kasparov, said it was one of the best ever,” Hechanova recalled.

Hechanova, who was also instrumental in reviving the PRISAA meet in 1990 and executive director of the Philippine Golf Foundation in 1988-93, was the brother of Olympian basketball player Paeng Hechanova. Cecil’s son, Jeric, is with Luisita Golf and Country Club.