I was a house guest of Meloy and his lovely wife Guia in Hong Kong in 1994 where he and long-time associate Jose Pedro "Bong" Recio audaciously put up their own architectural firm in that bustling colony. In due time, they made a name for themselves and Meloy eventually met Pangilinan through common Filipino friends.

Being avid sportsmen, the two struck up a friendship via regular games of squash, then the favored past time of the workaholic MVP. Meloy related to me that Mr. Pangilinan was one of the most respected and successful Filipino expats who, aside from being an astute businessman was also a fierce and serious competitor who hated to lose on the game court. He would be hard on himself after a loss, and would come more prepared the next time around.

But Meloy says that he has always known MVP to be married to his job. After an early evening game of squash, Pangilinan would ask to be excused as he would invariably go back to his office. He says the best time and place to catch him would be on a Sunday afternoon — at his office.

Meloy regaled me with stories of Pangilinan’s idea of relaxation which was a Sunday cruise in his yacht around Hong Kong harbor with Meloy’s and maybe two or three other friends’ families aboard. MVP would be content lolling around in a life raft, juice in hand, while the kids frolicked around him.

MVP began entrusting Recio+Casas with his construction projects, both personal and that of the numerous companies he headed in Hong Kong, Bangkok and eventually, the Philippines. Meloy describes the PLDT top honcho as a very meticulous and knowledgeable client, who knows what he wants and can discuss the finer points of architecture and aesthetics with the best of them. And no project is too small, as when he hired them to design PLDT’s phone booths, extensively deliberating it with the architects.

When Pangilinan decided to come home for his projects here, he advised Meloy and Bong to consider moving back here as the turnover of Hong Kong from the British to the Chinese was also forthcoming. It was advice that the partners never regretted, as theirs is now one of the most sought-after architectural firms in the country.

With Talk ’N Text’s entry into the PBA, Pangilinan again displayed his deep involvement in sports. He wasn’t content though, as he has also supported his two alma maters, Ateneo and San Beda. He has also organized the biggest badminton tournament hereabouts, the ongoing MVP Cup, the game being another of his varied interests. And when he gets involved, he doesn’t go in half-hearted. He is not only hands-on but is also the biggest cheerleader.

Another apparent passion for Pangilinan is music. Celebrating a birthday yesterday, he invited friends, associates and acquaintances to a birthday concert with cocktails featuring his favorite artists, including Gary Valenciano, Lani Misalucha, Regine Velasquez and many others — all for free!

Whattaguy!

Although I do not know him personally, except for a couple of nodding acknowledgements during PBA games, I’m proud to be a fellow Cancerian to such an outstanding individual.

A happy belated birthday, good sir!