Ambrosio Padilla facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honorable Ambrosio B. Padilla
Senate Minority Leader
In office January 17, 1966 – December 30, 1969
Preceded by	Estanislao Fernandez
Succeeded by	Gerardo Roxas
In office January 27, 1958 – January 25, 1960
Preceded by	Lorenzo M. Tañada Sr.
Succeeded by	Ferdinand Marcos
Senator of the Philippines
In office December 30, 1957 – September 23, 1972
Solicitor General of the Philippines
In office September 1, 1954 – December 30, 1957
President	Ramon Magsaysay
Preceded by	Querube Makalintal
Succeeded by	Guillermo Torres
1st President of the Philippine Olympic Committee
In office 1975–1976
Preceded by	Himself (as President of the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation)
Succeeded by	Nereo Andolong
6th President of the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation
In office 1970–1975
Preceded by	Felipe Monserrat
Succeeded by	Himself (as President of the Philippine Olympic Committee)
Vice President of the 1986 Constitutional Commission
In office June 2, 1986 – October 15, 1986
President	Cecilia Muñoz-Palma
Personal details
Born	Ambrosio Bibby Padilla (1910-12-07)December 7, 1910 Lingayen, Pangasinan, Philippine Islands
Died	August 11, 1996(1996-08-11) (aged 85) Quezon City, Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Political party	Liberal
Spouse	Lourdes de las Alas
Children	10
Alma mater	Ateneo de Manila University of the Philippines Diliman (LL.B)
Ambrosio Padilla Career information College Ateneo de Manila University of the Philippines Medals Men’s basketball Representing  Philippines Far Eastern Championship Games Gold 1930 Tokyo Team

Ambrosio Bibby Padilla (Tagalog: [paˈdilja]; December 7, 1910 – August 11, 1996) was a famous Filipino basketball player and a respected politician. He became a member of the Senate of the Philippines. He played a very important role in developing basketball across Asia.

Early Life and Family

Ambrosio Padilla was born on December 7, 1910. He was the eighth of eleven children. His parents were Dr. Nicanor Padilla and Ysabel Bibby. On May 4, 1941, he married Lourdes de las Alas. She was the eldest daughter of Senator Antonio de las Alas. Ambrosio and Lourdes had 10 children together.

Amazing Athletic Career

Ambrosio Padilla grew up in Lingayen, Pangasinan. He went to Ateneo de Manila for high school and college. In college, he was the team captain of the Ateneo Blue Eagles basketball team. They won the 1928 NCAA (Philippines) championship. Later, he studied law at the University of the Philippines. He also played baseball for the university team.

Playing for the Philippines

In 1930, Padilla played for the Philippine national basketball team. They won the gold medal at the 9th Far Eastern Championship Games in Tokyo, Japan. He played with other great players like Jacinto Ciria Cruz. In 1934, he was the team captain again. The team won the basketball championship at the 10th Far Eastern Games held in the Philippines.

In 1936, Padilla led the national basketball team as captain. They finished fifth at the 11th Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. This is still the best finish for an Asian country in men's Olympic basketball history. The team had strong players like Charles Borck.

Leading in Sports Administration

After his playing career, Padilla became a leader in sports. From 1938 to 1954, he chaired the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation (PAAF) Basketball Committee. This group managed amateur sports in the Philippines.

The international basketball group, FIBA, made him its Vice President for Asia. This was from 1956 to 1964. He helped create the Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC). This is now known as FIBA Asia. He was elected its first President from 1960 to 1966. His former coach, Dionisio Calvo, was the Secretary-General. After his term, he continued to serve as ABC president emeritus.

In 1970, he became the sixth President of the PAAF. This organization later changed its name to the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) in 1975. Padilla became the first president of the POC.

Important Political Career

In 1954, President Ramon Magsaysay appointed Padilla as the Solicitor General. This means he was a top lawyer for the government. He later left this job in 1957 to run for the Senate. He won the election and served as a Senator until 1972.

In 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law. This meant the government had special powers. Padilla strongly disagreed with Martial Law. He used his legal skills to fight for freedom and human rights. He bravely stood up against the government during this difficult time.

After President Marcos was removed from power in 1986, President Corazon Aquino asked Padilla to join the Philippine Constitutional Commission of 1986. This group was tasked with writing a new constitution for the country. Padilla was elected vice-chair of the commission. The new Constitution was approved by the Filipino people on February 2, 1987.

Lasting Legacy

Senator Padilla on a 2010 stamp of the Philippines

Ambrosio Padilla passed away on August 11, 1996. In January 1999, he was honored by being inducted into the Philippine National Basketball Hall of Fame. Other famous Filipino basketball players were also inducted with him.

The Ateneo de Manila University has an award named after him. The Ambrosio Padilla Award is given every year. It recognizes the best college athlete who also does well in academics. A classroom at Malcolm Hall, which is part of the University of the Philippines College of Law, is also named in his honor.

Awards and Achievements

• 1928 NCAA Philippines champions
• 1930 Far Eastern Games champion
• 1934 Far Eastern Games champions
• 1936 Summer Olympics, fifth place
• Philippine National Hall of Fame (1999)

See Also

• Philippine Constitutional Commission of 1986