There are nights when sports is not measured by medals, trophies or championship rings, but by something far bigger — the promise of a better tomorrow.

On Monday at the packed ballroom of the Diamond Hotel Manila, that promise felt closer than ever.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio and Rain or Shine veteran coach and former lawmaker Joseller “Yeng” Guiao stood not just as awardees of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Annual Awards Night, but as architects of what they believe is a new era for Philippine sports.

Gregorio, named PSA Executive of the Year, and Guiao, recipient of the PSA President’s Award, spoke with a shared conviction: that the tide is finally turning for Filipino athletes.

Seated among the country’s sporting elite — including co-PSA Athlete of the Year Carlos Yulo — the two leaders reflected on progress forged by design.

“The PSC and its staff are enablers, not gatekeepers, not disciplinarians. The PSC’s success is not just about single authorship. We let all sectors participate in what we want to do, and that is our secret,” Gregorio said, a line that defined his leadership style since taking over the government sports agency in July 2025.

Gregorio revealed that when he assumed the post, he came armed with a blueprint.

From day one, his focus was clear: athletes’ welfare, strategic infrastructure development and sports tourism.

The mission was personal to Gregorio, a big-shot in the hospitality industry before becoming a national sports association official, Philippine Olympic Committee executive and now, chief of the government sports funding agency.

“Let the athletes be in the limelight. They are our compass,” he stressed. “For when our athletes succeed, we know we have succeeded.”

His words drew knowing nods from the audience, many of whom have seen how transformative success on the world stage can be.

“I’ve said this before; our athletes should be happy so that 150 million Filipinos should be happy too. Hidilyn Diaz and Caloy (Yulo) proved it.”

But inspiration alone does not build facilities, fund grassroots programs or sustain elite training. That is where Guiao’s decade-long legal battle enters the story as he embarked on what many considered a political long shot.

In 2016, he filed a petition before the Supreme Court demanding that the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office comply with Republic Act 6847 of 1990 — the law that created the PSC and mandated that it receive a full five percent share of PAGCOR’s income and other remittances.

“It was political suicide,” Guiao recalled candidly.

“To take away billions of funds from the Office of the President was political suicide. But maybe somebody has to commit political suicide so that Philippine sports can breathe some fresh air.”

Guiao’s bold gamble eventually paid off as the Supreme Court ruled in favor of restoring the PSC’s full share — unlocking billions in funding that now bolster the agency’s programs.

Standing beside Guiao during the ceremony were Atty. Jun Guzman and Mon Navarro, his former executive assistant when he served as Pampanga’s First District Representative — men he acknowledged as instrumental in achieving the landmark decision.

The Rain or Shine mentor’s silent crusade, no matter how daunting, was his way of giving back to the next generation of champions and Olympians.

“Sports gave me a good life. It has given me material things, wisdom and knowledge, great experiences,” Guiao said.

“The best way to pay it forward was to stake my effort and reputation in pursuing this case. Sumuntok tayo sa buwan, pero paminsan-minsan tatamaan ninyo yung buwan.”

He urged sports officials and athletes alike to think beyond their current terms, beyond the next tournament, beyond the next election cycle.

“Make life a little better for those coming after you. Make the athletes have a better chance of being successful and give our countrymen a lot more to cheer about,” Guiao said, adding that Philippine sports is not just about the celebration of past victories, but laying the foundation for many more to come.