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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider PSC chief Gregorio goes extra smile to boost PH bets in world gym meet

PSC chief Gregorio goes extra smile to boost PH bets in world gym meet

Published Oct 19, 2025 01:51 pm

At A Glance

  • Committed to supporting and boosting national athletes in international play whenever and wherever possible, Gregorio met the PH men's and women's team members separately over the last two days at the luxurious and heritage-rich Hotel Mulia just across the sprawling Senayan Sports Complex.
JAKARTA - Hopping from one Southeast Asian country to the other in a matter of days, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman  Patrick "Pato" Gregorio went the extra mile to give a spirited pep talk to the national team competing in the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships here over the weekend.
Committed to supporting and boosting national athletes in international play whenever and wherever possible, Gregorio met the PH men's and women's team members separately over the last two days at the luxurious and heritage-rich Hotel Mulia just across the sprawling Senayan Sports Complex.
Unwilling to pass up the opportunity, the PSC honcho went straight from the 8th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Sports in Hanoi, Vietnam last week to the Indonesian capital to learn first hand the status of the PH gymnasts before they swing into action, while attending the opening of the world meet Sunday morning at the Indonesia Arena.
"I have always believe into going where our athletes compete overseas, hoping this will encourage and inspire them to do better," the PSC honcho, himself a basketball, boxing and rowing official, stressed after meeting with the PH men's squad Saturday afternoon shortly after arriving from the airport.
A former president of the Philippine Rowing Association, he told Paris Olympic double gold medalist Carlos Edriel Yulo, Juancho Miguel Besana, Justine Ace de Leon and John Ivan Cruz that he also drove two hours from Hanoi to Haiphong to meet with Pinoy rowers competing in the Asian meet before coming over here.
"Iba yung dating kapag may official kang nakikita na may suporta sa iyo. Lalo kang ginagahan," Gregorio noted during his conversation with the athletes, whose stint here is bankrolled by the PSC.
He said that he had an emotional attachment to gymnastics, having witnessed first hand Yulo's historic golden double in last year's Paris Olympic Games.
"You cannot sing your national anthem when you are crying," Gregorio said in recalling the pint-sized Filipino gymnast's golden moments in the French capital.
The PSC honcho also conveyed his conviction of boosting athletes personally to the PH women's squad led by Paris Olympians Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo plus world debutants Elayza Yulo, the younger sister of Carlos, and Haylee Garcia.
"When we took over as PSC chairman, we promised: athletes' welfare, upgrading facilities and promote sports and promote sports tourism, which is why we are here for you," said Gregorio n an early breakfast dialog with the athletes Sunday morning..
The government sports agency head also encouraged the PH gym squad members to register with the PSC-supported Elite Link, a mobile app where athletes can show their accomplishments online, hoping to be discovered and gain potential support of interested patrons and benefactors.
Besides rooting for the national athletes, the PSC chief was also scheduled to meet here with newly-appointed Indonesian Sports Minister and sportsman-businessman Eric Thohir, who is rallying the other Southeast Asian countries in filing a joint bid to host the Olympic Games.
"If the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia were successful in hosting the FIBA World Cup two years ago and Japan and South Korea the World Cup, I see no reason why Southeast Asia can join hands in bidding for the Olympics," he said.
As much as he wanted to stay longer to cheer for the Filipino gymnasts, Gregorio apologized and had to beg off, leaving Sunday night to address other priorities back home.
Among them was the PSC's staging the of the Batang Pinoy National Championships starting Oct. 25 in General Santos City featuring 21,000 young athletes who will be competing in across 27 sports.
Caption: PSC chairman John Patrick "Pato" Gregorio (center)strikes a pose with the PH men's artistic gymnastics team led by Paris Olympic double gold medalist Carlos Edriel Yulo (fifth from right) together with Gymnastics Association of the Philippines Cyntia Carrion.
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