Patrick “Pato” Gregorio kicked off his stint as chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) like a runaway train: no sweet promises, no honeymoon period — just pure hard work at lightning speed.
In fact, barely minutes after the turnover ceremony with former PSC chief Richard “Dickie” Bachmann, Gregorio was already in the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) for his first appearance at the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.
Then he huddled with Commissioners Matthew “Fritz” Gaston, Edward Hayco and Walter Torres, as well as Deputy Executive Director Guillermo Iroy, before meeting PSC employees and inspecting the facilities at the RMSC and nearby Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The following day, he visited government-owned facilities at the Philsports Complex to identify urgent repairs needed to ensure they are in top shape for national athletes and coaches residing there. After that, he made a quick trip to Baguio City to inspect the high-altitude training sites at Teachers’ Camp, where boxers and track-and-field athletes train.
Gregorio also scheduled a general assembly with key stakeholders — national athletes and coaches, national sports association (NSA) leaders, Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Paralympic Committee executives, and the organizers of major events the country will host this year — to get direct feedback on how the government can best support them.
And you know what’s good about the new PSC chief? He replies to messages — well-wishes and even financial requests — within two minutes.
“My actions have to be as fast as how I reply to their text messages,” he said, adding that a prompt response from the PSC chairman gives athletes and stakeholders assurance that the government is truly supportive and caring.
Gregorio may just be in his first week, but it looks like President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made the right choice. He is dynamic, passionate and tireless.
Just as when the President decided to shake things up at the Department of Transportation by appointing a 50-year-old economist in Vince Dizon as secretary, he pulled off another masterstroke in naming Gregorio to head the government’s sports agency.
After all, Gregorio is no rookie in sports administration. He has served in various capacities — from leading a sports foundation, an NSA, and the POC, to organizing major local and international sporting events. In short, he doesn’t need a honeymoon period. He can walk through the corridors of the PSC with confidence and purpose, backed by years of experience.
Still, being PSC chief is no easy job. With around 70 NSAs submitting their funding requests, he must juggle limited resources while also solving the persistent problems faced by national athletes.
Hopefully, Gregorio can sustain his momentum. Philippine sports is enjoying its golden era with the rise of world-class athletes. Gregorio must work even harder to ensure the luster of these achievements doesn’t fade.
Yes, the job comes with immense challenges. It’s never going to be easy. But at least “Pato” is on the right track — and making one big quack this early.