SYMBOL OF EXCELLENCE — Rebo Saguisag wears name like a badge of honor

PORTRAITS

The presidents to my understanding, most of which are theologians, academicians, doctorates. In theory, on the ground, it might be different from what they’re used to so that’s when the BMD comes in — the athletic directors who manage the day-to-day operations

SYMBOL OF EXCELLENCE — Rebo Saguisag wears name like a badge of honor — Lawyer Rene Andrei ‘Rebo’ Saguisag excels in running the affairs of the country’s premier collegiate league. | photograph courtesy of UAAP

Lawyer Rene Andrei "Rebo" Saguisag Jr. would like to think that it was written in the stars that he got thrust into a powerful position as executive director during the reorganization of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines six years ago.

He admitted that he came into the country's premier collegiate league as a wet-behind-the-ears basketball commissioner in 2015 and as fate would have it, he was then appointed in an unprecedented role two years later.

"Actually, to be honest, I really don't know (how I got here) but I'm forever grateful for this chance," Rebo, as he is familiarly called, told Daily Tribune.

"Deep inside I thought I was being kicked up, maybe they don't want me as commissioner anymore," he added in jest.

Rebo, who is also a public servant as District 1 councilor of Makati City, was appointed ED in August 2017 during UAAP's Season 80 hosted by Far Eastern University. He concurrently served as commissioner that season.

"I was just, I guess, at the right place at the right time. That was when the presidents stepped in. The highest officials of member schools formed a new body which is the Board of Trustees and the former Board of Trustees became the Board of Managing Directors," he said.

"So, I'm the mediator between the two bodies. I guess that was the idea. No. 2, I guess they wanted as much as every school is represented, sometimes they had to wear two hats. The idea was to have another entity that would think of the UAAP collectively."

Accepting the responsibility of handling a newly established office wasn't an easy decision to make according to Rebo. After all, he had no idea what his function would be.

But he's not the one to back down from a challenge. It was the least he could do to return the trust given to him when he was named commissioner.

"Yes, hard decision. Actually, I don't know what it was. It was a new office but at the same time as much as you don't know what you're supposed to do, it's also a blank canvas where I had the freedom (to do my work). It's uncharted water but at the same time an opportunity for me to blaze my own trail," Rebo said.

"It was a challenge but the Board assured me that we'll work hand-in-hand. It's hard because it's intimidating but also reassuring that I enjoy being in the UAAP."

Although his appointment came as a surprise, Rebo would like to think the UAAP saw potential in him with his work overseeing the centerpiece basketball tournament to consider him for the job.

"I don't know, maybe I did something right as a commissioner. I think at the end of the day I'm not perfect but I hope I was able to send a message, at the very least, I have no agenda and I was fair," he said. "So maybe when the position came up, again at the right place at the right time."

On paper, the UAAP executive director's job is to direct, manage, and oversee a variety of assignments.

He is expected to implement policies, supervise operations, undertake special projects and provide support to the Board of Trustees, the Board of Managing Directors, and the UAAP Committees. An executive director has a three-year tenure.

The league wanted a separate office under an official with a fixed term to ensure the continuity of its programs. Thus, the establishment of the executive director's office.

"The presidents to my understanding, most of which are theologians, academicians, doctorates. In theory, on the ground, it might be different from what they're used to so that's when the BMD comes in — the athletic directors who manage the day-to-day operations," Rebo explained.

"To be precise I serve as the bridge between the two bodies (BoT and BMD). Also, I guess it's for continuity. As you know, each season we change hosts so I think we're moving in the direction of having continuity. (So, the creation of) a separate secretariat to handle all those things to ensure a seamless transition of hosting."

While the ED's duties and responsibilities are specific on paper, the actual execution of the job is a different story.

"I had to adjust a lot. Just get a feel of my work first," he said. "But at the end of the day, if all parties are in good faith, we try to work together to make the UAAP better. We work as a team."

Rebo is very fond of an article written about him when he was announced as the new basketball commissioner back in 2015 during University of the Philippines' turn as host.

The accuracy of the words used was on point. In fact, his stepping in as commissioner was unexpected and has quite an anecdote to it.

"The idea when they floated that position to me was to become deputy (commissioner) of the great Joe Lipa," something Rebo said was hard to resist. "Who wouldn't want to watch the games for free and get mentored by the best."

"But on our first meeting with UP, coach Joe joked, 'So attorney Rebo, you can take care of this.' So, I just went for a ride and I told him, 'Game!' only to find that he was serious about it. So, I was thrust into the position but he promised he'd be there to assist me guided by Romy Guevarra for the technical side and deputy commissioner Bai Cristobal. I had a great team behind me."

Rebo, who has a juris doctor degree from the Ateneo Law School and a Sports Science graduate of the UP, admitted that he has a thin resume in basketball.

He even shared that he had to read the FIBA rules five times to better understand the rules he needed to implement.

Rebo was in his third year as ED when the global health crisis struck. Covid-19 put the world to a standstill.

The UAAP was just a couple of playdates into Season 82 second semester events including the much-anticipated volleyball wars when Rebo made the painful announcement of the season's cancellation.

"Season 82 was really painful. I felt the pain of Ateneo, it's unprecedented. Also, we were on the cusp of many changes beginning with the men's volleyball being included in the press conference scheduled because of the men's volleyball 2019 SEA Games (silver medal) feat. So we had a lot of innovations that were supposed to be introduced only to be cut short because of the pandemic. It was disheartening," he said.

The government under the Duterte administration implemented lockdowns and strict health protocols.

UAAP took a two-year pandemic hiatus — the first time the league had to cancel its staging since the devastation of the Second World War.

In 2021, the government rolled out its vaccination drive giving the league a sliver of hope for its eventual return.

"In the (canceled) Season 83, we were navigating through uncertainties. We didn't know what to do, everything was online. We're drafting the return to protocols but what's really hard was the public's clamor for UAAP's return because sports had returned in some jurisdictions especially professional," Rebo said

"But people tend to forget that these are student-athletes. So, it was hard to explain that these are not just athletes but student-athletes, some are even minors that we have to take care of and protect."

Finally, the following year saw the return of UAAP but Rebo also had to deal with great challenges.

"Season 84, I guess was a blur but I guess everybody was just happy to be here. Then, Season 85 was different because in Season 84 it was clear that it would be in a bubble setup. So much pressure coming from many sides, so we have to manage all of it and that's the hardest part. Also, (Season) 84 and 85 were really challenging because we had to compress two seasons in one calendar year," Rebo said.

"I'm super proud but I don't want to take credit. It's a collective effort of the whole UAAP community. I'm really grateful and honored just to be a part of this great show."

Rebo is a very busy man making sure the UAAP season runs smoothly and at the same time doing his duty as a public servant and taking care of his constituents.

"It's hard. But the good thing about being a councilor, is we have a more flexible schedule compared to let's say a senator, congressman, or mayor for that matter. In the UAAP, of course, you should be there during games," he said.

In fact, the son of prominent human rights lawyer and former Senator Rene Saguisag, has set aside his law practice since 2019.

"I never thought I'd say this but yes (I miss law practice). When I came into the commissioner's office I got frustrated in law practice, like my father, we lose some and win some. Sometimes it gets frustrating because it's unpredictable so I thought I'll leave it behind. But now that I'm here I kinda miss the banter between lawyers, the engagement. In sports and in law, it pushes you forward when you face a good adversary, and I miss that."

"But in the UAAP, there are a lot of legal principles involved like the eligibility of certain players. There are legal angles to that, so we also study that. In a way, if you expand the meaning of law practice, that's how I practice. They have lawyers in the house that I engage with and talk to that keeps me sharp."

Rebo outside his title as UAAP official and public servant is known by his peers as a fun-loving guy.

"Outside of my duties, I'm a fun-loving person and I would like people to see that side of me," the father of two said.

"I mountain bike and skate if I still can at 50. I watch my son play baseball, I'm a baseball dad and I like to spend time with my family. I enjoy scotch every once in a while."

"The funny thing is, I grew up hating the suit. I was anti-corporate (fashion). I was a skater/rock and roll (kind of guy growing up), in fact, I even have that wardrobe. I was a rebel before. But I guess a part of it, when I first came in as a commissioner, the least I could do was study and probably dress up to bring dignity to the office," he said.

"Then one thing led to another and I guess it was a plus that being a lawyer and a councilor I already have a decent wardrobe collection. I just stick to the basics, neutral colors. For the suits, I have a suit maker, MLCK Manila."

Rebo wants the first season of his third term to go smoothly but as always, he's ready to take on any challenge that might come in head-on.

"Title aside, I just want to be where people want me to be. Just do my role as a problem-solver, I guess," he said.