Manuel V Pangilinan is the co-founder and managing director of First Pacific Co Ltd. In the Philippines, he is chairman, president and CEO of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), chairman and CEO of Manila Electric Company and chairman of PLDT Inc., among other responsibilities. In Indonesia, he is president commissioner of PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk. MPIC has recently entered the food industry with its investment in The Laguna Creamery Inc., the company behind the artisanal ice cream brand Carmen’s Best, and its joint venture with the LR Group of Israel to build greenhouses.

In civic duties, Pangilinan is the chairman of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), PLDT-Smart Foundation Inc. and One Meralco Foundation Inc., co-chairman of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) and director of the Philippine Business for Education (PBED). He is also the chairman of the Board of Trustees of San Beda University.

In recognition of Pangilinan’s contributions to the country, the Philippine Air Force awarded him the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (Res) in a promotion list approved by the Philippine President in July 2021. With his support, the Air Force built a Cybersecurity Center for Excellence, boosting its capability to counter cyberattacks. In 2010, the Office of the President of the Philippines awarded Pangilinan the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Bayani.

He was also the driving force behind the Philippines’ successful hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup in August and September 2023. The Philippines also set an attendance record during the opening day game at the Philippine Arena.

Pangilinan graduated cum laude from the Ateneo de Manila University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. He received his MBA degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.