Long, Hard Climb

SUCCESS, in most cases, does not come on a silver platter, so to speak, but it is, almost always, earned the hard way, making it sweeter and more fulfilling.

A triumphant ascent, from modest beginnings, was achieved by Ramon Ang, current San Miguel Corporation (SMC) president and holder of several more top positions in equal number of companies controlled by this food and beverage conglomerate.

As reported in the Philippine Daily Inquirer issues of June 30 and July 1, Ang, who allegedly started as a refurbisher of cars and rose to become a trusted lieutenant of one of the country's most powerful businessmen and king maker, Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr., now has full control of the huge SMC and thus wields more power over its assets, properties and manpower complement, including negotiations and acquisitions, both here and abroad.

Such success story cannot just be overlooked, ignored or downplayed. Instead, it should be told and retold if need be and for those aiming to achieve a similar feat, exemplified as a model. What makes Ramon Ang tick? As told, he goes for practical solutions on a myriad of problems besetting companies under the giant corporation's organization umbrella.

Like other successful entrepreneurs, Ang does not fear challenges and their concomitant ups and downs. Dauntless to the point of being near-reckless at times, as in his foray to diversification, Ang was so precise and resolute in his moves that he has parlayed his company's earnings into bigger payoffs, measured in, say, US$10 billion in 2011. Since 2007, Ang's buying sprees totaled $5.3 billion for 25 acquisitions!

As with other huge and successful corporations, Ang's SMC puts premium to its corporate social responsibility by sharing its earnings to challenged communities like the relocation sites in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities and taking active roles in Gawad Kalinga and Habitat for Humanity. And again, from reports, SMC's involvement in more civic and charitable activities will be more frequent and pronounced.

Some may ask: why should I write about this success story? Precisely, because it teaches that a modest beginning does not foreclose one's ascent to greater heights and through firm resolve, even the most difficult challenges can be overcome and the more beguiling problems effectively solved. From mechanic to SMC's big boss?

Well, Ramon Ang proved the big leap was achievable, with plenty to spare.

--oo0oo--

Culture of honesty at SM malls. Every now and then, good acts are reported coming from the retail giant's branches. One such very commendable gesture was demonstrated by Genelyn L. Hermida, a person with disability who is assigned at the job cleaning and janitorial services and who readily turned over an expensive mobile phone she found at the lavatory area last week, to the mall's customer relations office.

There were previous recorded incidents of returning lost and found items to their rightful owners at SM City Clark, headed by the gracious mall manager Ana Datu and complemented by an equally accommodating PR person Venus Manalang.

This culture of honesty and trustworthiness prevails in all SM branches, for that matter, and this trait, as once intimated to me by VP Bien Mateo, is inculcated by top officials (and middle managers) to the SM family of workers. Muy bien, Mr. Bien!

--oo0oo--

Just when I thought I was in high spirits last Monday, June 25, during the flag raising ceremony at the Municipal Hall in Xevera, a jolting experience later in the afternoon of that day gave me time to reckon my physical being: a sudden rush up my blood pressure reading gave me a rude awakening.

I felt dizzy and saw objects topsy-turvy, so I had to ask my companions to rush me to the Mabalacat District Hospital at Barangay Mabiga. It was good that my staff were cool, composed and alert to avert my near-brush with death.

At the district hospital, which is overseen and administered by the Provincial Government headed by the very solicitous and accommodating Lady Governor Lilia "Nanay Baby" Pineda and assisted by her Lady Friday Edna Vitug, I was promptly attended to by Dr. Stephen "Pen Pen" Aurelio, Drs. Kit, Lapuz and Cruz and their nurses-attendants led by Angine Sangabaen and the cooperative billing clerk, Luz Sanchez.

I stayed at the facility from Monday, June 25 up to Friday, June 29 and, except for the clogged toilet bowl, I had no reason to grumble over my confinement, made easy by the support of my friend, kumpadre and big boss, Mayor Boking Morales. Thanks a lot, guys. And to Governor Pineda, again, maraming maraming salamat po. Profuse thanks to: MA Rosan Paquia and other well wishers: Peso Mabalacat staff, my daughter Sherry Pacio and companions, Engr and Baby Calara, Vidal Busa, Gerry Dayrit and Pilo Bondoc, Apung Orling and Bodgie, Tanny Magistrado and wife, my cousin Grace, Engr. Rey Liwanag and Councilors Froy Galang, Rox Pena, Doc Oscar Aurelio, Christian Halili and Benny Jocson and of course to my son Joben, wife Josie, Jay and Emmit and brother Perry Pangan.