Master of the Piste: Olympian Torres embracing PSC role with grateful heart

By mixing work and play, there is no doubt that Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) commissioner Walter Torres is having the best of both worlds.

Speaking at Off the Court, the weekly sports show of DAILY TRIBUNE, the 58-year-old Torres admits that working in the government sports funding agency is challenging but fulfilling for a former national athlete like him.

In fact, he and two other commissioners — legendary bowler Olivia “Bong” Coo and basketball great Matthew “Fritz” Gaston — have played for the national team, making them more than capable of reaching out and relating to their constituents like the athletes, coaches and other sports executives.

Right now, Torres is doing a great job overseeing the affairs of 24 national sports associations Together with PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, Torres is helping pump blood into the national economy through their aggressive sports tourism program.

This year alone, Gregorio with the support of his commissioners, are responsible for successfully organizing major events that put the country on the world sports map. The WTA125 Philippine Open gave Filipinos a chance to see their national treasure, Alex Eala, live in action while the Philippine Golf Championship was a smashing success.

The PSC is far from done. There are still quite a handful of events in its calendar ranging from cycling to sepak takraw to karate, making Torres one of the busiest men in local sports community lately.

“It’s challenging, but I’m actually enjoying it,” the mild-mannered Torres said, emphasizing that sports is already a second nature to him as he has been competing since he was young.

“My journey started when I was young. The moment I learned how to walk, I was already active — whether recreational activities, sports, or serious competition. Through sports, I discovered myself, met people, challenged myself, and developed life skills.”

But fencing wasn’t his gateway to competitive sports.

“I became a varsity table tennis player in high school, then a member of the track and field team. Eventually, fencing became my niche. I encourage sports enthusiasts to try different sports until they find the one they want to focus on,” Torres said.

Table tennis honed his reflexes and and field tested his endurance.

But it was fencing — with its blend of strategy, precision and mental warfare — that captured him fully.

In that sport, Torres found a rhythm that matched his own.

Olympic veteran

When Sam Catantan qualified in the women’s foil event of the Paris Olympics, she broke a 32-year absence by the Filipinos in fencing.

The last fencer to compete in the Summer Games? Torres.

A star athlete at University of the Philippines, Torres dominated the sport, winning the gold medal when the country hosted the SEA Games in 1991 as well as in 1993 in Singapore and 1995 in Kuala Lumpur.

He suited up in the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, becoming the second Filipino fencer to see action in the Summer Games until Catantan competed in the Paris Games two years ago.

“I’m happy that I was able to congratulate her personally. When she won the Asia-Oceania, I texted her if she was able to make a visit at the Philippines Sports Commission and ask her how we can help her prepare better for the Olympics,” said Torres, who was mighty proud of Catantan’s achievement.

In fact, Torres was even in the French capital when Catantan pulled off an upset win over world No. 65 Mariana Pistoia of Brazil, 15-13, in the Round of 64 at the Grand Palais before losing to former No. 2 fencer Arianna Errigo of Italy in the Last 32.

“Sam once again displayed a high level of fencing and made a name for herself here. Her performance gained the admiration and respect not only of Errigo and Pistoia but of the fencing community,” Torres said.

“She showed lots of potential. She will definitely come back stronger.”

But more than being a fencer, Torres is also a teacher who served as a faculty member of the Physical Education department of Ateneo de Manila University.

He said his teaching background enables him to relate to student-athletes, who are regarded as the future stars of the national team.

“Balancing academics and sports is also a talent. When students from the National Academy of Sports visited and watched the UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) football finals, they shared how they admired student-athletes who manage studies and training,” said Torres, who also holds a degree in Exercise and Sports Science from the University of the Philippines College of Human Kinetics.

“Being a student-athlete already says a lot about your ability to manage time and responsibility.”

Leadership with a heart

Torres’ involvement did not stop at mainstream athletics. Torres also worked closely with the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled (Philspada) — an experience that altered his perspective in ways medals never could.

“I was also involved with the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled, which changed my direction and perspective in life,” said Torres, who also served as a secretary general in the Philippine Paralympic Committee before his appointment with the PSC. That’s why when the time the opportunity to serve as commissioner came, he was no longer a stranger to the ecosystem of Philippine sports.

But Torres found the strength to accept the PSC job through his wife, Johanna.

“My No. 1 supporter is my wife, Joanna, who is also my executive assistant now. She helped me fill out the forms and pushed me to apply. We actually applied three times,” Torres said.

“On December 28, 2022, I received a call telling me to go to Malacañang and take my oath. It was a process. It wasn’t something I really dreamed of, but I’m happy I gave myself a chance.”

Working with a spouse is not always seamless but for Torres, it created alignment.

“One advantage I have is that my executive assistant is someone I trust deeply — my wife. Trust and confidence are very important in that role. She sees what happens on the ground, so when we get home, I don’t need to explain everything,” Torres said.

“We do continue discussing work at home, but we also remind ourselves to talk about something different and give each other space so we don’t stress each other too much.”

The oath-taking marked the beginning of a new chapter — one defined less by personal competition and more by stewardship.

As commissioner, Torres was no longer representing himself or even a single sport. He was tasked with helping shape policy, allocate resources and guide the direction of Philippine sports.

While fencing is not under his watch as commissioner for the sake of transparency, Torres still makes sure to still be involved and give some of his insights, especially in the recent feud between Philippine Fencing Association president Rene Gacuma and Philippine Olympic Committee second vice president Richard Gomez that rached its height during the recent SEA Games in Thailand.

“There have been dialogues between Mr. Rene Gacuma and Congressman Richard Gomez. We hope this can be fixed because it affects the fencing community and the progress of fencing — especially preparations for the Asian Games, renovation of fencing halls, and possible hosting of competitions,” said Torres, who spoke to both sides individually.

“We are convincing them to settle this as soon as possible so that programs and plans can continue. As much as we can, we assist the fencing association.”

Sports, for Torres, was never merely about winning. It was about identity. His story is not one of overnight success. It is one of persistence and recalibration.

Although he never claimed to have dreamed of becoming one of the highest government officials in Philippine sports, he stepped into it with preparation, a good heart, and countless years of experience as an educator, as a mentor and, yes, as a national athlete.