Manuel Velez Pangilinan, CLGCrL (born July 14, 1946), also known as Manny Pangilinan or sometimes by his initials MVP, is a Filipino businessman and sports patron. He is the managing director and CEO of First Pacific Company Limited, a Hong Kong-based investment management and holding company with operations in the Asia-Pacific region. Pangilinan is also the First Pacific's chairman for the group's investments in the Philippines, such as the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, PLDT, and Philex Mining Corporation. He is the chairman Emeritus of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and was its first president, having served two consecutive terms from 2007 to 2018.
Pangilinan's first job was as the executive assistant to the president of the Philippine Investment Management Consultants, Inc. (PHINMA) where he served for six years.[2]
In 1976, Pangilinan relocated to Hong Kong as executive director at Bancom International, an investment bank, where he gained experience in international finance. He then went on to the American Express in Hong Kong as an investment banker.[2]
In Hong Kong, Pangilinan co-founded First Pacific in 1981 with Sudono Salim and Salim's son, Anthoni Salim. In 1987, Pangilinan established Metro Pacific as First Pacific's investment arm in the Philippines.[2] As chairman of Metro Pacific, Pangilinan contributed to nation building through major investments in power distribution and energy innovations (Meralco), urban water concession (Maynilad Water Services), tollways (Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation), upgrading hospitals and health services (Metro Pacific Investments Corporation). He is also Chairman of TV5 and Philex Mining Corporation.[citation needed]
In 1998, First Pacific acquired PLDT, the largest telecommunications firm in the Philippines. The company, which had once been troubled by debt and technological issues,[3] improved under First Pacific's management to become the nation's leading provider of digital communications.[4]
Pangilinan is also a major patron of Philippine sports. He owns three PBA teams – TNT KaTropa, the Meralco Bolts and the NLEX Road Warriors. He founded the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the national sport association for basketball in the Philippines. He served as the first president of SBP for two consecutive terms (2007 to 2016). He is currently the chairman emeritus of SBP.[5] He was elected to the Central Board of FIBA in 2014,[6] and served until August 2023. Moreover, his MVP Sports Foundation has supported other Philippine athletes, some of whom won gold medals in the 2018 Asian Games.[7]
Pangilinan with the FIBA Executive Committee and Philippine President Bongbong Marcos
Pangilinan is a sports patron, having been raised from a family that regularly enjoyed basketball. His mother was a fan of the San Beda Red Lions basketball team and was best friends with Caloy Loyzaga. His father played the sport along with baseball and tennis. Pangilinan himself plays badminton. Through the MVP Foundation, Pangilinan funds initiatives on badminton, boxing, golf and taekwondo.[8]
: Order of Lakandula, Commander – (May 24, 2006)
: Order of Lakandula, Grand Cross – (June 5, 2010)
