PLDT/MVPSF chairman on sports, creating a culture of empathy on and off the court
Amid his busy schedule, PLDT Inc. Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan sat down for #BetterToday conversations, a video series under this year’s Power Move Project—an initiative of PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) to promote mental resilience through sports.
The multi-awarded executive has been recognized not only for his business acumen, but also for his contribution to nation-building through civic advocacies, particularly in sports development. He serves as a leader in various sports organizations and as the chairman of the MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF), which backs 17 national sports agencies and hundreds of Filipino athletes.
“Aside from the sheer joy that we get from sports, it’s a metaphor for life. There are many valuable lessons one can learn from being engaged in sports: hard work, discipline, focus, passion, all the elements that are important to being successful in life,” he said.
For Pangilinan, sports can build a sense of community—within and outside of the court. “The success of the team depends on their collective effort. Sports also engage the whole nation, it’s a universal activity that fetches the attention of everyone.”
The Chairman also underscored the importance of creating a culture of empathy and a healthy mental state for athletes and employees alike.
“It intersects with many aspects of how you live. Look at Hidilyn Diaz and EJ Obiena. There’s a lot of hard work to being successful in their respective endeavors. You could see that they’re physically and mentally fit, they can focus on what they are doing, they are passionate about their goals.
These are the things that really make a successful athlete,” he shared.
“And that’s something we at PLDT and Smart should know. Our work requires the physical and mental well-being of our people because we must be in our A-game. Your ability to empathize enhances your EQ in terms of being identified in the community that you’re serving and the team that you belong to, and in achieving your aspirations and dreams,” Pangilinan added.
Watch MVP’s episode on #BetterToday Conversations here. The #BetterToday Power Move Project is part of the PLDT group’s broader program to help ensure the digital wellness of Filipinos particularly the youth.
