JAKARTA — Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio went the extra mile—literally and figuratively—to motivate personally the national gymnasts competing in the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships here over the weekend.
Coming straight from the 8th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports in Hanoi, Vietnam, Gregorio flew to the Indonesian capital to give a rousing pep talk to the men’s and women’s national teams, meeting them separately over the past two days at the heritage-rich Hotel Mulia, located just across the Senayan Sports Complex.
“I have always believed in showing up where our athletes compete. I hope my presence encourages and inspires them to do better,” said Gregorio, a long-time sports official who also serves in basketball, boxing, and rowing circles.
Before arriving in Jakarta, the PSC chief even drove two hours from Hanoi to Haiphong to visit Filipino rowers competing in the Asian meet.
“Iba ang dating kapag may opisyal kang nakikitang sumusuporta. Lalo kang ginaganahan,” Gregorio told the men’s squad composed of Paris Olympic double gold medalist Carlos Edriel Yulo, Juancho Miguel Besana, Justine Ace de Leon, and John Ivan Cruz, whose campaign here is fully supported by the government sports agency.
Gregorio shared his deep connection to gymnastics, having witnessed Yulo’s historic golden double at last year’s Paris Olympic Games.
“You cannot sing your national anthem when you are crying,” he said, recalling the emotional moment in Paris.
The PSC chairman also met with the women’s team led by Paris Olympians Aleah Finnegan and Emma Malabuyo, along with Elayza Yulo—Carlos’s younger sister—and Haylee Garcia, both world debutants.
“When we took over the PSC, we promised three things: to prioritize athletes’ welfare, upgrade facilities, and promote sports and sports tourism. That’s why we’re here for you,” Gregorio told the gymnasts during an early breakfast meeting on Sunday.
He likewise urged the athletes to register with Elite Link, a PSC-supported mobile platform that showcases Filipino athletes’ profiles and achievements to attract potential sponsors and benefactors.
Aside from supporting the national team, Gregorio also met with newly appointed Indonesian Sports Minister Eric Thohir, who is spearheading efforts to form a joint Southeast Asian bid for a future Olympic Games.
“If the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia could successfully co-host the FIBA World Cup two years ago—and Japan and South Korea hosted the FIFA World Cup—there’s no reason Southeast Asia can’t unite to bid for the Olympics,” Gregorio said.
Despite wanting to stay longer to cheer on the team, Gregorio flew back to Manila Sunday night to oversee preparations for the Batang Pinoy National Championships, which kick off October 25 in General Santos City and will feature over 21,000 young athletes across 27 sports.
