TURNING 65 next month, businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan, or MVP to many, cites three goals which he would like to happen before he retires.

The telco executive has been asked whether he is retiring anytime soon. “I’ve been asked that by one of the major investors of First Pacific Co. Ltd. (FPCL).  I said “yes,” although I have three main goals [before I retire,]” Pangilinan said.

His first goal, he said, is to look for his successor. “The next MVP should also be a Filipino. The goal is to identify talents within the group and develop them to be future leaders of the group—be it for [the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.] PLDT or Manila Electric Co.,” he said.

He refused to name who among the current executives holding top positions within the PLDT group are seen to fit into his shoes.

“I am not holding on to my job forever. It’s my job and duty to look for my successor...I am not saying that they are doing badly. It’s just [the right] time to identify them,” added Pangilinan.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), the local infrastructure arm of FPCL, owns four hospitals. This investment may appear one of Pangilinan’s favorite.

“[Foreign Affairs] Secretary Albert del Rosario, he’s a long-time friend of course, used to be a member of the board at First Pacific and with PLDT as well. He said to me: ‘I am glad you went to Stanford for a medical checkup. At least you are in touch with your mortality.’ Then I said, ‘Albert, you know why invested into hospitals? It’s really to keep me mortal,” Pangilinan said.

His second goal is to diversify out of the Philippines and Indonesia. “I want to invest in Thailand or Vietnam or anywhere else in [the] Asia-Pacific [region] as [FPCL]. If Maynilad [Water Services Inc.] wants to invest in water system in Vietnam then why not? I just want to diversify. So if you could do that in five to 10 years, then why not.”

Thailand is said to be one of Pangilinan’s favorite countries. 

His third goal is to come up with his own bucket list.

And what could possibly be on his top list? “No. 1 would be the Sacramento Kings,” he said in jest. “Well, it is infectious, I must say. When you get into a deal mode, it’s like a slippery slope.”

Pangilinan still hasn’t accepted an offer to invest in the franchise of National Basketball Association (NBA) team Sacramento Kings. He expressed concern that if he does accept the offer it would be difficult to manage the business.

“We would be absentee owners. That’s my consideration. We are here and the NBA team is there while we manage it here. It’s different when you manage a business in the country where you live,” he said.

In the Philippine Basketball Association, Pangilinan owns Smart Gilas and Talk N’ Txt. The latter had just won the PBA finals twice in a row.

Pangilinan was told by the owners of the NBA team that they would still manage the Sacramento Kings for another year. “If we were to proceed we would be seeking majority [interest]. Hopefully, we could invite some Filipino investors in the equation. Whether we do it or we don’t do it or when we do it, I think it’s a great idea for a Filipino investor group to own part or most of [an] NBA team. Filipino coaches and players could be part of NBA team,” he said.

Another meeting between Pangilinan’s group and the representatives of Sacramento Kings has been set for next month.

Pangilinan, in an earlier interview, said to buy into the NBA franchise, is like having a “trophy investment,” but is “a complicated thing” at the same time.

The offer was for Pangilinan to invest and be a partner of the firm that owns Sacramento Kings. If he accepts it, this would be the first time an Asian would own an NBA franchise. This offer was made during the recent visit of the basketball team’s representatives in the country.

Pangilinan would want his three goals achieved but has so far failed to cite any timetable.

At 64, Pangilinan admitted that he feels old especially when attending anniversary celebrations. Last Friday was the 30th year of First Pacific. “I hate anniversaries. No. 1 they ask you to make speeches; I may be accused of plagiarism again. No. 1, it makes you feel old.  Because I am the oldest living employee of First Pacific,” he said.

Amid his success, Pangilinan regrets that he can’t share this with his father and brother. “What I do regret? My father was an avid sportsman and an avid golfer, so was my brother. If they were alive today they would be with me cursing Talk ‘N Txt, Ateneo and San Beda. They would have been happy. Sports is in the family blood, I suppose.”

So, is politics in it as well? “No politics in my blood,” he replied.

But that remains to be seen.