Just before the Ateneo speech booboo hullabaloos, I got the privilege of interviewing Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan for an employee magazine at his office in Makati City.
The interview was at 5:00PM, but my butterflies started fluttering even hours before. Not having a hint on what it will be like to pick the brains of one of the country's more powerful and influential men, I memorized my 20 questions and make sure I am ready for the task.
The room was silent as the minutes go by, and then he came. Wearing a white barong and flashing a smile, MVP, as we fondly call him walked in. He greeted the team and in an instant the dry cold air disappeared and the room lit up. He is just as grounded and friendly.
Talking to him left me starstruck, good thing my Public Affairs friend was present to help me take down notes.
Mr. Manny Pangilinan is like a firecracker of wise ideas, fluently speaking, cohesively storytelling. Borrowing from the Pringles famous tagline, "Once (he) pops, (he) cannot stop." That was how he responded to my questions - like a long-time friend who chats a sandbox of stories and not like one whose everyday schedule is so full. What I expected to be 15 minutes of talk went to 30 and I just had so much fun.
After taking his photos and our photos with him, we shook his hand. He was all smiles and even walked us out of the room. On our way out, we saw him check a meeting room. As he peeped into the door, he said to the executives inside, in a low, but caring voice "Kumain na ba kayo?"
Seeing this side of him, I am saddened by the issue on his recent speech in the Ateneo Commencement Exercise. (Read full story here) Yes, business executives like him rarely find the time to create their own speeches. And since plagiarized copies are not easy to spot, errors such as these can easily go unnoticed even to a seasoned editor. It is an easy excuse to stand by these sidestreets and yet Mr. Pangilinan took the blame for whosoever gave him a sloppy, brainless (excuse me for the word) commencement speech glorified trash.
For his valor and accountability, I simply admire him.
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