In this biography
Quick facts
- Born
- 14 July 1946
- Birthplace
- Manila, Philippines
- Country
- Philippines
- Nationality
- Filipino
- Known for
- Building and leading investments in Philippine telecommunications, power, water, toll roads, hospitals and sport
- Full name
- Manuel Velez Pangilinan
- Current role
- Managing director and CEO, First Pacific
- Company co-founded
- First Pacific, 1981
- Sports role
- Chairman, MVP Sports Foundation
Why this life matters
Pangilinan made investment management a route into nationally important utility and infrastructure systems, while his sports foundations linked corporate patronage with international competition.
Timeline
Key moments
Born in Manila
Born on 14 July and raised in a family that placed a high value on education.
Studied economics and finance
Graduated cum laude from Ateneo de Manila and earned an MBA from the Wharton School.
Founded First Pacific
Established the Hong Kong-based investment company after work in Manila and Hong Kong finance.
Created Metro Pacific
Built a vehicle for First Pacific’s investments in the Philippines.
Took an executive role at PLDT
Became PLDT president and CEO after First Pacific invested in the telecommunications company.
Led a new basketball federation
Became the founding president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
Returned to operating leadership
Became Meralco president and CEO in 2023 and again took the PLDT and Smart chief-executive roles in 2024.
An investment career across borders
Pangilinan studied economics at Ateneo de Manila and completed an MBA at the Wharton School. After working for PHINMA in Manila and for Bancom International and American Express Bank in Hong Kong, he founded First Pacific in 1981.
First Pacific became the platform for a series of investments in the Philippines and Indonesia. Pangilinan returned to a central operating role in Manila after the group invested in PLDT in 1998, helping to connect international capital with a major national telecommunications network.
Utilities, infrastructure and sport
Through Metro Pacific and related companies, Pangilinan’s leadership extended into electricity distribution, water, toll roads, hospitals, mining and media. Those businesses provide services with direct public consequences, so regulation, affordability and accountability are as central to his legacy as corporate growth.
Pangilinan also became one of the country’s most visible sports patrons. He led the national basketball federation, chairs the MVP Sports Foundation and has supported athletes in multiple sports. That work shows a second form of institution-building: using long-term private funding to strengthen training systems around national teams and elite competitors.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions about Manny Pangilinan
- Who is Manny Pangilinan?
- Manny Pangilinan is a managing director and CEO of First Pacific. Pangilinan made investment management a route into nationally important utility and infrastructure systems, while his sports foundations linked corporate patronage with international competition.
- What is Manny Pangilinan best known for?
- Manny Pangilinan is best known for building and leading investments in Philippine telecommunications, power, water, toll roads, hospitals and sport.
- When and where was Manny Pangilinan born?
- Manny Pangilinan was born on 14 July 1946 in Manila, Philippines.
Sources and further reading
How this biography was checked
Core dates and offices are checked against the sources below. This profile was last reviewed on 8 September 2026.
