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Philippines, 03 Feb 2026 |
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Breaking the ice in the Olympics By Ed Picson PhilBoxing.com Tue, 20 Jan 2009  Pangilinan. When telecommunications mogul Manny V. Pangilinan agreed to take on the challenge of heading the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) late last year, not a few were of the opinion that he would be as a babe in the woods. Well, MVP himself acknowledges that he is not really wise to the world of boxing, but he has thrown his full commitment to the cause of amateur boxing because just like everyone else, he believes it?s where we have the best chance of bagging the elusive Olympic gold. And Pangilinan can be downright tenacious when he sets his mind on a mission. This can easily be gleaned from his many business successes and the enthusiasm he shows when he supports an athletic endeavor. This kind of doggedness is what could finally break the ice for us in the Olympics. So with barely a fortnight gone by since MVP and his team assumed the leadership, already the footprint of a professionally-run event is indelibly etched in the first activity of the ABAP for the year. The Smart National Amateur Boxing Championship is ongoing at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center in Bacolod City and by all accounts, everything is hunky-dory. Pangilinan did not only dispatch his trusted point persons Ricky Vargas (PLDT Senior Vice-President and now ABAP President) and Patrick Gregorio (Smart Sports Head and now ABAP Sec-Gen), but also partnered with Cong. Monico Puentevella, of the host city. He also graciously solicited the assistance of past president Manny Lopez and past sec-gen Roger Fortaleza, who, in the first place, had laid the groundwork for the tournament. He also threw in the vast resources and personnel of the PLDT/Smart conglomerate thereby ensuring its organizational success. But it?s not only in the staging of an event that the new leadership aims to stamp its mark. Although making no claims at being boxing experts, Vargas has assured that their team is in for the long haul. ?Chairman Pangilinan?s commitment is to see to it that everything humanly possible is done and done properly in our quest for the first Olympic gold. We will identify the potentials, give them the best training possible under the most ideal conditions, and arm them with the necessary tools to focus on the job.? Vargas said. The former banker who joined the PLDT corporate family in year 2000 (?and that career move turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made in my life?), is elated at the way most stakeholders have expressed optimism with the entry of the MVP team. ?It?s a big challenge but we know that while the task seems formidable, with the support of our partners in the regions, the mission could be achieved. We thought of holding a boxing congress during the Bacolod tournament which we have opened to all boxing stakeholders. We hope to hear their concerns, ideas and suggestions so we may address them.? There has been an enthusiastic response from many sectors across the country who wish to have their voices heard. The congress, to be held on Thursday, January 22, will be graced by the top echelon of the ABAP, both past and present. Pangilinan will keynote the event, while Manny Lopez will deliver his valedictory. Vargas will make his acceptance speech and Gregorio will outline the plans and programs of the organization. In line with the corporate approach being employed, there will be no time allotted for protracted and acrimonious discussions. Instead, stakeholders and officials will break up into groups, discuss their different concerns and present them in resolution form when the congress reconvenes the same afternoon. The task certainly is huge, but the men and women at the ABAP helm are showing that with planning and organizational savvy, things don?t look quite as daunting. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed Picson.  |
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