Gregorio nominated as POC sec-gen
ABAP vice president Patrick Gregorio has been nominated by newly elected POC president Ricky Vargas to take over from Steve Hontiveros as POC secretary-general and from all indications, he’s perfect for the sensitive job of firming the backbone of the organization in close coordination with the IOC, PSC, NSAs and every elite athlete in the country.
Gregorio, 50, was ABAP secretarygeneral for eight years before his election as vice president last March. He is more than eligible as a nominee for the position which requires a two-year residence as president or vice president or secretary-general of an NSA. The appointment will go through the POC Executive Board for ratification.
Vargas announced the nomination during the PSA Awards Night last Tuesday. “I can’t say no, it’s yes without thinking,” said Gregorio. “This is for the country, this is for Mr. Vargas. In my view, the secretarygeneral is a stabilizer, peace-maker, coordinator, enforcer and enabler. He’s the chief administrative officer of the POC, a diplomat, an advocate. As for Mr. Vargas, he’s a great leader and a loyal follower. To be both is a gift. He is a master in the law of perfect timing. He is patient and has a lot of faith. Cheers is his favorite word. But there is more to it than just being happy. It’s a shout of encouragement. Cheers is a word that can also describe Mr. Vargas as a sports leader.”
It was during Gregorio’s term as PBA chairman in the 40th season that the pro league began to focus on reestablishing roots at the grassroots level in building a foundation of loyal fans for the future. His aim was to reconnect the PBA players with family, friends and neighbors in their barangay, townmates and provincemates. Today, PBA starters are introduced before a game as coming from their towns and provinces. PBA commissioner Willie Marcial has also started an outreach campaign where PBA players make unannounced visits to basketball courts in Metro Manila and provincial cities during out-of-town games to bond with fans and leave lasting memories.
Teamwork has always been a key to Gregorio’s success as an executive. In performing his functions either in a corporate environment or in sports, Gregorio once said it’s never about him, that it’s always about the team. He earned a tourism degree with cum laude honors at UP in 1988 and for nearly 20 years, was immersed in the tourism industry. Gregorio moved from Manila to Davao to Cebu in promoting tourism and was president of the Waterfront chain of hotels and chairman of the Cebu Visitors and Conventions Bureau. For his achievements, he received a TOYM (The Outstanding Young Men) award in the first-ever citation in the field of tourism in 2003.
Gregorio is now senior vice president at Maynilad Water Services, director of Philhydro Water, consultant of Metro Pacific Water, executive vice president of the MVP Sports Foundation, ABAP vice president, consultant in sports marketing of Smart Communications, vice president of the Philpop Music Foundation, vice chairman of Motor Ventures Philippines and director of Quick Reliable Logistics Services Inc. and Germalin Enterprises. He has worked closely with Vargas over the last 11 years.