Friday, November 23, 2007 Anflo Group marks Don Antonio's birthday
THE Anflo Group of Companies celebrated on Tuesday the 92nd birthday of its patriarch Don Antonio O. Floirendo, Sr. with simultaneous masses followed by a simple get together among the executives and employees of the company as well as the children of the birthday celebrant.
TonyBoy Floirendo, the eldest son and executive vice president of Anflo Group, led the celebration at Tadeco, while his brother Ricky Floirendo, senior vice president for south operations, represented the family at the Nenita Quality Foods Corporation in Marapangi, Toril.
Anflo Motors Corporation in Manila and the rest of the affiliates celebrated this momentous event as well.
Known not only for being the banana king, who shaped the history of Davao del Norte, Antonio Ocampo Floirendo is also a great philanthropist and visionary community leader.
He was born on November 20, 1915 in Bauang, La Union. He is married for 62 years to his wife Nenita Floirendo and they are blessed with six children namely: Linda F. Lagdameo who is married to Tonet Lagdameo, Ambassador to Mexico; TonyBoy who is married to Margie Moran-Floirendo; Maricris F. Brias who is married to Spain's Honorary Consul Antonio Brias; Marissa who is one of the country's top cinematographers and underwater videographers, Ricky who is married to Jennifer S. Floirendo, and Vincent who is vice president and managing director of Pitrade and is married to Mia Dragon-Floirendo.
Don Antonio said his family is his greatest blessing, and "I am very proud of my children because they all have found happiness and contentment in their lives, as well as success in their own fields of profession."
But more than his immediate family, Don Antonio Floirendo Sr. has always considered the people of Davao del Norte as belonging to the Floirendo Clan.
"The truth is, whatever I am now, I owe to the people who stood by me through all the hardships and obstacles during the early days of Tadeco. But through hard work and dedication, we were able to create something out of nothing. From swampland to farmland, that is the story of Tadeco. That is the story of my life."
For his part, TonyBoy Floirendo said, "As we celebrate my father's birthday, I would like to remember all the times that he has been there for all of us, and it is now time for us -- his family -- to stand by his side and show him how much we love him and care for him. The responsibility of continuing his legacy now rests upon us. We have to carry his vision of service and concern for his fellowmen into the next generation. This is our greatest birthday gift to him."
