Birthdate: November 2, 1977
Birthplace: Manila
Address: Tambo, Paranaque City, M.M.
Height: 6'3" 3/4
Weight: 208 lbs.
Born to parents: Benjamin and Felicitas Francisco
Gerard's father, Benjamin, passed away last August 30, 2001. He was one of the recipients of the posthumous awards given by the PSA to twelve sports greats who distinguished themselves in various fields during their lifetime. The Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night was held January 10, 2003 at the Holiday Inn Manila. The award was received by Gerard, and his mother, Felicitas. The late Mr. Francisco, a former olympian, was a member of the basketball team that played in the 1954 World Basketball Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He played alongside basketball great, Caloy Loyzaga.
Meanwhile, Prof. Felicitas Francisco is currently the Assistant Directress of the University of Santo Tomas Institute of Physical Education and Athletics and a well-respected boardmember of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
Gerard is the youngest of six. He has three older brothers and two sisters.
Educational Background:
Gerard attended pre-school at the Anne Arbor Learning Center in BF Homes, Pque. He then studied at the Colegio San Agustin in Dasmarinas Village, Makati for grade school. This was also where he finished first year high school. However, he transferred to the University of Santo Tomas on his second year for the reason that UST had a better basketball program. In college, also at UST, he graduated batch of 1999 with the degree, Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Economics.
It "runs in the blood" as they say. Having an olympian for a father, and three older brothers who love the game sort of pointed at the direction Gerard would be taking. He learned to play basketball at the age of nine and became a varsity team member during his grade school days at the Colegio San Agustin. Joining the varsity was already expected of him, being tall and lanky for his age plus his family background. But in CSA, the more popular sport was soccer. Surprisingly, it was soccer and table tennis that Gerard liked to do back then. This is why nobody ever thought he would one day play in the PBA.
After finishing grade school, Gerard was at a crossroad. Colegio San Agustin had a better soccer program than it did basketball. With this, he had to decide whether to transfer schools or not. But since he was already very much attached to his friends in CSA, he found it hard to leave the school. Which is why he transferred to UST only in his 2nd year. He tried out with the UST Tiger Cubs and was accepted. He then went on to lead the team to its first championship in years and won the UAAP Juniors MVP award. And the rest is history.
Off- court:
When not playing basketball, Gerard spends most of his time at home or hanging out with his neighborhood friends. Other times he goes to the mall, tinkers with his car, or takes care of his pet dogs. He finds these as good ways for him to unwind. Night's out are usually with teammates.
When the team is on hiatus, it doesn't serve as a reason for Gerard to slack off. He still jogs or works out on days when he doesn't have practice.