PSC turns 35
IT was in 1990, January 24 to be exact, when the long-awaited birth of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) happened with Cecilio Hechanova as the very first Chairman.
It succeeded Mike Keon’s Project Gintong Alay which he started during martial law years in 1979, starting off with just selected track and field athletes, a far cry to the scope and coverage of the current PSC that provides funding support to around 80 National Sports Association( NSAs).
And to be honest about, the list includes sports that were not even imagined before as the world of sports continued to evolve with a lot of events claiming their places in the sun.
. Since the time of Cecile, there have been 12 Chaimen with former PBA player Richard Bachmann presently occupying the position.
On record, in the sequence of their stints with the agency, Cecile was succeeded by Perry Mequi, Mel Lopez, Philip Ella Juico, Carlos Tuason, Eric Buhain, Butch Ramirez, who returned to the position after, Richie Garcia, Noli Eala, who had the shortest time, and Richard.
Long time official Atty. Guillermo Iroy also served in 2022 but only as an Officer-In-Charge (OIC).
I have been involved in Philippine sports primarily as a part time — never full time sports writer for many publications and I have observed how the PSC also has evolved through the years, different Chairmen with different mind sets and management styles in the way the agency was ran.
But then I never thought there would come a time, I will be personally involved directly with the PSC, not once but twice.
The first time was when Chito Loyzaga was a Commissioner under Richie’s time and I was a consultant, and now as the co-terminous Executive Assistant to Commissioner to my long time friend Fritz Gaston.
But please, do not expect me to share behind the scenes stories here, that will not be right nor approropriate.
What I can share was the way the PSC celebrated its 35th year milestone Friday night at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) with the employees looking differently as it was a formal coat or barong tagalog affair, generally followed by the staff and the outside guests too who joined the special occasion.
Fritz and I had the chance to discuss with swimming’s Executive Director Anthony Reyes the directions the NSA is taking towards the future, and we were all aligned.
I also approached boxer Nesthy Petecio, back to back Olympics bronze medalist who was asked to deliver the piece of Paris double gold medalist Caloy Yulo and she was obviously more nervous about speaking to the big crowd than when she is in the ring facing an opponent
She brought the house down when in the middle of the speech, she blurted out, ” Caloy nasan ka?”, but she still did it, actually Caloy arrived later and was asked to deliver the same piece, congratulating the PSC and thanking the PSC employeesÑ for their full support for our athletes.
Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron was a special guest ,l.obeing a regular sports supporter as a host city for big local and international sporting events, in fact last December, I was there for the world dragon boat championship which attracted a record number of countries and participants.
I introduced sambo president Paolo Tancontian to the Mayor for a possible hosting of the world beach sambo championship in Puerto Princesa later this year, and Mayor Bayron was very open to the idea and asked Paolo to send his proposal ASAP.
I had a photo taken with the two, same with Nesthy, Caloy, and para athlete champion Ernie Gawilan whom I described a real Filipino sports hero for his achievements at the world level in parasports.
Another special guest present was MILO’s sports head Carlo Sampan who delivered a talk appreciating the efforts of the PSC in being inclusive in its sports programs, of course the employees appreciated in turn the MILO gift packs for all from Nestle Phils.
The PSC actually honored their sports partners that included Mayor Bayron, PAGCOR, Pocari, and MILO among others , the same for our top athletes who received special awards.
Chairman Bachmann officially opened the affair and the program got underway, the singing duet contests featuring employees was a big hit, long serving employees were also recognized for their loyalty with the Chairman and all the Commissioners doing the honor. Ed Hayco, Bong Coo, and Walter Torres joined Richard and Fritz here.
Newly-hired employees, which included me, presented dance numbers, I was asked to join but I told them I was good in writing but definitely not in dancing, not at this age anyway.
But then as in any party, aside from the food, the most awaited and appreciated part of the night’s program was the raffle with the lucky winners going home with high end cell phone, big sized TV sets, aircons, and other home items.
Me, like the other uncalled names for the raffle, will get gift certificates, so in the end, everybody was a winnet,the biggest wi ner though for me is Philippine sports.
Tomorrow night, it will be the turn of our top athletes to be honored at the Philippine Sports Association(PSA) awards night, and I also plan to be there.
