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Successful Story of Manny V Pangilinan

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The Gift we will receive now is the inspiring life story of  of the highest paid<strong> Philippine Chief Executive Officer Manny Pangilinan</strong>, the CEO of the most profitable company and the largest company by market value –<strong> Philippine Long Distance and Telephone Company</strong> or PLDT, the<strong> Philippine’s pioneer in telecommunications</strong>.<br />

Manny V Pangilinan narrated his own rags to riches story during the Ateneo graduation in 2006.<br />
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<h2>
Opening</h2>
This day of academic ceremony must be a day of touching, personal 
memories. It is also a day to pause, and give honor and praise to your 
parents and to the good Lord for the grace to be at this place, at this 
time. While all of us may be seated, we’re actually standing on their 
shoulders, proud and thankful. Your years in college were a journey of 
discovery and preparation, a discovery of yourself and the gifts 
bestowed upon you. You’re now about to commence a new journey, of 
becoming an adult, of finding your place in society, of starting a 
future. Today, I’d like to share with you my own journey, as I traveled 
from being a student, to being a professional manager and an OFW, and 
now, an entrepreneur and corporate activist.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<strong>First part of the journey: A Student</strong></h2>
The first part of my journey begins with my family. My lolo 
(grandfather) started as a public school teacher in Pampanga and Tarlac,
 rising through the ranks to become superintendent of public schools 
and, eventually, secretary of education. My dad began his career as a 
messenger at Philippine National Bank, and retired as president of 
Traders Royal Bank, one of the larger banks in the ’80s. During my 
elementary years, I had ten centavos to buy a bottle of Coke, five 
centavos for crackers, another ten centavos to take the bus home from 
San Beda in Mendiola, which I made sure I wouldn’t lose, otherwise I 
would have walked home. In college, my weekly allowance at the Ateneo 
was P10, and that included my jeepney fares. I have a lot of classmates 
who have cars and others even have their own drivers. They were lucky. 
Someday, I said to myself, I will reach all those. My scholarships in 
both San Beda and Ateneo were only my lucky charms.<br />

In late 1965, as my own graduation was approaching, I had come home 
from the Ateneo one Saturday afternoon, and spoke with my dad about 
taking an MBA in the States. I was met with silence, which meant there 
wasn’t enough money for an education abroad, that if I really wanted it,
 I had find a way myself. Fortunately, Procter & Gamble was offering
 a rare scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. 
It was a national competition. I entered-and won. For three generations 
of my family, life meant coping with challenges despite modest means, 
relying on God-given talent, hard work and a passionate determination to
 succeed.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<strong>Second part of the journey: A professional manager</strong></h2>
Let me now turn to the second part of this journey. After two years 
in Philadelphia, I returned home, hopeful about landing a managerial 
position in a large company. I struck out at first bat. My benefactor, 
Procter & Gamble, turned down my application. So I ended up taking 
the first job I was offered, as executive assistant to the president at 
Phinma for P1,000 a month. Without any job experience, we can’t be 
choosers, right? Grab the first decent job that comes your way, immerse 
yourself in work, and soon, you’ll find the right job, or it will find 
you.<br />

After six years with Phinma, I decided to work abroad. There were the
 usual reasons: the glamor of being an expat in Hong Kong, the stifling 
staleness of my local career but, more importantly, I needed to find 
myself, to prove that I can stand on my own and succeed. The warmth of 
family ties, the comfort of an extended family system so embedded in our
 society were indeed beguiling, but I wanted to assert my independence.<br />

I was recruited by Bancom International, a Philippine investment bank
 based in Hong Kong. It was a stimulating experience. I learned the 
dynamics of international finance from my Chinese colleagues, not from 
the Filipino executives. Thereafter, I was seconded to a joint venture 
investment bank with <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">American Express</span>.
 I had expected to be appointed CEO of that new bank, but wasn’t. While 
disappointed and even depressed, I soldiered on and, sure enough, this 
venture failed inside of two years. A huge dilemma confronted a young 
man of 30 years: return to Manila or stay with <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">AMEX</span>?
 I decided to remain a soldier of fortune in Hong Kong. Why? Because 
after this setback, I wanted to prove something to myself. I felt I had 
to prove to AMEX the Filipino can. Indeed, after four years with AMEX, I
 received a phone call from my boss in London. He said, “You’ve outgrown
 Hong Kong and are now ready for London, and to fast track your career.”
 After reflection, I politely said, no. I’ve proven the point to myself 
and to AMEX, and that had been enough. Besides, I felt Asia is my home — and so it shall be.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<strong>Third part: An entrepreneur and corporate activist</strong></h2>
The third, and final part, starts with First Pacific. Whilst working 
in the region, I met some clients – foremost being Anthoni Salim – who 
were willing to support my idea of a regional banking and trading 
business. With their help, I founded First Pacific in Hong Kong in 1981.
 I started out with only six people, on 50 square meters of office 
space, and little capital. Now, the companies that constitute First 
Pacific have sales of $5 billion, with more than 60,000 employees across
 the region. But I won’t tell you about our successes at First Pacific. 
Instead, I’ll describe our failures – some of which indeed became total 
failures, but some of which we turned around and made a success.<br />
<br />
In 1989, we were negotiating to acquire Hanimax, maker of middle to 
low-end cameras based in Sydney, Australia. I took the overnight flight 
to Sydney from Hong Kong, confident that when I arrived the following 
morning, a letter from an international bank approving our financing 
would await me. But lo and behold, it was a letter of disapproval. So 
there I was in Sydney, committed to purchase Hanimax, but without enough
 money to complete it. Providentially, there was a competing bidder who 
sought to take us out of the race by offering a sum of money. That 
practice is called “greenmail.” Our gambit won $7 million that day when 
we had no cards to play. But there’s a sequel to this. Buoyed by 
confidence – perhaps overconfidence, even hubris – we were off to the 
races again, and decided quickly to buy another company. This was Tech 
Pacific, Australia’s largest distributor of <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">computer products</span>.
 It was indeed a large company with sales in excess of a billion 
dollars! Well, it was a disaster. It took us three years, and enormous 
pain and effort, to turn its fortunes around. I fell sick from stress 
and anxiety and, on several occasions, contemplated resigning. But we 
stood to our tackle and, after those three years, Tech Pacific is now 
Asia’s largest distributor of computer products.<br />

In 1998, I came home, after 22 years abroad – after what father 
(Roque) Ferriols often calls “the days of wasted youth.” When we 
invested in PLDT seven years ago, we faced the massive task of repair 
and renewal. Critics told us that we couldn’t change the culture of 
monopoly, that misdemeanors in PLDT couldn’t be eradicated, that our 
fixed line business had no future. But we made the tough and unpopular 
decisions at PLDT. Like reducing the number of employees from 14,000 to 
9,000. Like changing dubious practices and encouraging honesty and 
transparency. Like converting the mindset of bureaucrats to that of 
innovators and entrepreneurs. Decisions about people are always 
difficult for us because First Pacific is an Asian company with Asian 
values. But head count reduction was critical for PLDT to survive.<br />

Now that PLDT has recovered, and is now the most profitable company 
in the country, my confidence in the Filipino’s ability to succeed has 
been absolutely affirmed. In fact, despite the downsizing I mentioned 
earlier, we now have more people under our wings – about 19,000 – simply
 because PLDT is now a different company. And to most of you who might 
be familiar with Piltel or Talk N’ Text – it was a company in extremis. 
I’ve had to tell creditor banks that Piltel could not pay its debts – 
the first time I’ve done that in my life. My officemates told me to 
close Piltel. I didn’t agree. I believed that the cellular frequency it 
owns, as well as its brand, are potentially valuable, as they have 
become today. Also, I did not want to imperil the financial health of 
local banks to which Piltel owed much.<br />

After five years of rehab, Piltel’s return to profitability has been 
close to supernatural. It is now the country’s most profitable company –
 after PLDT and Smart. Finally, some of you have raised with me the 
question – is business bad? Let me respond by saying, business is not 
all bad. It is people – some people at least – that may make business 
bad. No business can prosper in the long term without the right values. 
The best performing companies are those that manage their businesses 
which meet ethical standards. Transparency, accountability, integrity, 
discipline – all these good governance principles – must permeate every 
policy, every process, of the company, as they do at First Pacific and 
PLDT.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<strong>Closing:</strong></h2>
Thefore I close, I’d like to make a personal request. I’d like to ask
 each of you a favor. Give me bragging rights. Do something great. 
Sometime in the future, I want to hear some incredible thing you’ve 
done. And I’d like to brag that I spoke at your graduation. In return, I
 offer you a few more pieces of advice. Keep it real. Stay true to 
what’s best in yourself, to the best of your experience here at the 
Ateneo. Trust your instincts. Believe in yourself. Engage in sports, 
you’ll need it as you age. Make art, or at least, value it. Be brave. Be
 bold. Find something that moves you or pisses you off, but do something
 about it. You have a voice, speak up.<br />
Take a stand for what’s right. Make a change. You may not always be 
popular, but you’ll be part of something larger and greater than 
yourself. Besides, making history is cool, isn’t it? But I also want to 
offer a warning: you will meet people who’ll entice you to compromise 
your principles. They’ll try to seduce you and distract you with money, 
power, security and perhaps, most dangerously, a sense of belonging. 
Don’t let them; it’s not worth it.<br />
You can have genuine values and still get that job. You can have a conscience and still make money.<br />

Let me send you off with one final thought.<strong> I was born poor, 
but poor was not born in me. And it shouldn’t be born in you either. You
 can make it. Whatever you may wish to do with your future, you can make
 it. It gets dark sometimes, but morning comes always. Suffering breeds 
character. Character breeds faith. In the end, faith will not 
disappoint. You must not disappoint.</strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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Successful Story of Manny V Pangilinan

The Gift we will receive now is the inspiring life story of of the highest paid Philippine Chief Executive Officer Manny Pangilinan , t...

+ Read more »

There is Always a Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow

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<div class="MsoNormal"><span></span>Let me share you an inspiring story of one of the most respected blogger in the blogosphere, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/17038175544989342610">Ms Leah</a> of <a href="http://neneleah30.blogspot.com/">Leah’s treasure</a>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8finKThA8ZYBzTSEJ-vLKWAxMCtRuIJLwcXfY4bVfmXryuHnX36h8BGQUk2lfpBQFp5f2qkkB3gh4P09T6xVLLYPQvPiSdmiwZE1oHJQVRcNrxBimL8CeXme_9d_GroPJvtBX7sWbwCuy/s1600/pot+of+gold%252C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8finKThA8ZYBzTSEJ-vLKWAxMCtRuIJLwcXfY4bVfmXryuHnX36h8BGQUk2lfpBQFp5f2qkkB3gh4P09T6xVLLYPQvPiSdmiwZE1oHJQVRcNrxBimL8CeXme_9d_GroPJvtBX7sWbwCuy/s320/pot+of+gold%252C.JPG" width="314" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">MG:<span>   </span>Ms Leah, what is the greatest problem you encountered in your life?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Leah: <span> </span>The greatest problem I've encountered... <span style="font-size: large;">Not knowing who I am, what I should do or where I should be</span>. You know the feeling of NOT knowing who you are? It sucks! It's frustrating. I was lost. It happened when I was in college. I wanted to find myself on my own. There really is nothing wrong about that.. But I think what I did wrong was, I closed my heart to all of the people who loved me. I just did everything that I wanted, not bothering to consider taking their advice, not bothering to accept their help. I was selfish. I just did what I wanted to do, and didn't think about the consequences. In the process, I've caused much pain and hurt to my loved ones. That was truly a dark time for me.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">MG:<span>  </span>Having this kind of dilemma, what comes in your mind? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Leah: During that time of being selfish, I was numb. As I said, I just closed my heart. I did things that disappointed my family and hurt my friends. All the while, I was thinking of giving up. It was never easy not knowing who you are, not knowing where you fit in. In the process of finding myself, I just got lost. And the temptation to just "END" it all was overpowering. Then, the time of enlightenment came. I realized that though my intention of finding myself was good, I did all the wrong things. Then, the feeling of GUILT came. And it was more painful. I regret doing the things I've done and how I wish I could just take them all back.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">MG: How did you overcome this?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Leah: <span> </span>I prayed. I asked for God's help, that may He give me the strength to face the consequences of what I've done. I asked for His forgiveness. I asked forgiveness from the people I've hurt. It was hard. But I know that I have to, in order to make things right. And then after that, I forgave myself.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">MG: So, what or who inspired you to pursue?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Leah: .My family. My true friends. They are the only people who didn't let me go. They didn't give up on me. They were there the whole time, trying to knock some sense into my head. I really was grateful that they really did knock some sense into my stubborn head. I'm thankful to them. And they make me want to continue living and enjoying my borrowed life.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">MG: Ms Leah, What did you felt after you succeed in overcoming this problem?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Leah: <span> </span>When I got through that dark time in my life, I felt light and happy. I felt relieved. I'm thankful that I have a very loving family, and some TRUE friends who never gave up on me.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">MG: Last question ate Leah, What <b>life lessons</b> have you learned solving this problem?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Leah: There are lots of Life lessons in my story. First, family is family. The fake persons in your life may leave you, but only the true people who really care will not abandon you during your darkest moments. I used to take my family for granted. Now, I do what I can to appreciate them. Because they're the only people that I could truly count on when times get rough.<br />
<br />
Second. It is never a bad thing to ask for help. <span style="font-size: large;">Pride usually stops up from accepting help from the people around us</span>. I used to think that I'd look weak if I ask for some assistance. Now I know that it just makes me look stupid to act like I can do things without them, when I know I can't.<br />
<br />
Third. Saying you're sorry is never an easy feat. It is an admission of guilt or fault. But <span style="font-size: large;">asking for forgiveness is not a weakness. It is strength</span>. People make mistakes.. I made some mistakes. But the important thing is I learned something. I've changed my ways and I'm trying to do better.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> <span></span><br />
Lastly. <span style="font-size: large;">There is always a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow</span>.  There is always a shining light at the end of a tunnel. Everyone of us  has dark, hopeless moments. And we usually seek to find the easiest way  out. But the true people in our lives will never leave us. GOD will  never leave us. So we shouldn't give up on life. Because it is simply  beautiful. And we don't have any reason, any right to waste it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thank you ate Leah for sharing your one of a kind story. This will truly inspire a lot  of people . God bless you </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJGFfuuf5tpFponSzjaavyP-OA39xU5fGUB4RDY7ivX9WUIwiMu9Meeq_69BhiAH7mU0LANs81NDsYtFNWHNt03unQYQQiAEb2PucOFEq1N8D00Ckr3MNCLTSjaawKm0Bj_ERzRjlPQbr/s1600/leah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJGFfuuf5tpFponSzjaavyP-OA39xU5fGUB4RDY7ivX9WUIwiMu9Meeq_69BhiAH7mU0LANs81NDsYtFNWHNt03unQYQQiAEb2PucOFEq1N8D00Ckr3MNCLTSjaawKm0Bj_ERzRjlPQbr/s1600/leah.JPG" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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There is Always a Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow

Let me share you an inspiring story of one of the most respected blogger in the blogosphere, Ms Leah ...

+ Read more »