Miguel G. Belmonte: Boss, Friend, Leader
When Miguel G. Belmonte appeared at the STAR office in 1987 as our new personnel manager, it was a handsome entrance that made hearts flutter.
Office girls couldn’t help but look at his tall, smart presence and five-star aura fresh from his previous life as a hotelier. “He’s cute,” the girls whispered as they stole glances at his boyish smile.
Fast forward to today with MGB as president and CEO of the STAR, and the Crush ng Bayan is still crushable. But this time, the bayan takes a more profound look, not just at his looks, for they’ve seen something better: he also has a beautiful heart and a compassionate soul.
Through the years, MGB has touched many of his employees’ lives by just being his simple, humble self. He plays basketball with employees, he breaks bread with them, he calls them by name, he listens to their hopes and dreams, he knows about their personal triumphs and heartaches, he even gives them advice about family matters. He also goes to disaster areas with employees who are Operation Damayan volunteers, distributing relief goods during calamities.
Miguel Belmonte, the Crush ng Bayan turned president and CEO of The Philippine STAR, remains crushable not just for his looks but for his beautiful heart, compassionate leadership, and unwavering commitment to justice and fairness in steering the newspaper, making hearts flutter with his genuine smile on his birthday."
He has nobility in his heart. He wields power with purpose. At the same time, he also knows how to empower his editors, instill confidence in them, and make them understand the company’s vision.
He gets upset when both sides of the news are not presented. He wants justice and fairness for everyone, no matter their status in society. He rules his business with a patriotic heart, because he believes it is his company’s business to help promote love of country and not just deliver the truth on events that shape our destiny.
I am amazed that despite the enormity of the tasks he has to accomplish, MGB is very much in the loop when it comes to the lifestyle landscape. He knows what’s hot, what’s not and knows how to look beyond the proverbial glitter and glamour of society events. He does not belittle small events, as he knows sometimes we may stumble into something bigger there. He is an art lover and collector, and he has a soft spot for struggling and promising artists who need support.
This is the boss we know. And how do the captains of industry see him? We gathered statements from several business leaders, mostly his friends, on how they perceive him for this feature on his birthday today.
Will MGB like this special issue today? Certainly not! He has a strong a version to vanity features on himself. Fingers crossed that he will just flash his boyish smile and forgive us.
And that will make our hearts flutter.
Manny V. Pangilinan
Chairman, Metro Pacific Investments Corp; Chairman, PLDT
Getting into the media business has been quite an eventful experience for us, with its own issues and rewards (more of the former than the latter!). But one of the greatest rewards has been the chance to work closely with Miguel.
Miguel inherited the mantle of responsibility from his mother—a legend of publishing. The pursuit of truth is in his blood. I cannot imagine the pressure he had to contend with when he took the reins at PhilStar. But over the past 25 years, he has helped the PhilStar Media Group not only survive, but thrive. And it has been our privilege to be part of that growth, and to see Miguel flourish into a transformational leader who can take publishing into the future.
Cheers on your birthday, Miguel—o many more years of working together—and to more success!
Robina Gokongwei-Pe
President and CEO, Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc.
I don’t remember exactly when I first met Miguel Belmonte. Maybe it was when I was writing for STAR Lifestyle. Or maybe it was when I was running a competing newspaper, The Manila Times. We sold the Times in 1999 after 11 years and I had always wondered why we got into the business. Who could be as good as Miguel?
One day I just called him “Valentino,” as I heard that women in the office loved him, as he was very kind and had a cute smile. He decided to call me “Valentina.”
Miguel says that I am the only woman he can call Valentina and his lovely wife Milette does not mind it at all. It’s been years, and he is still a Valentino.
Happy birthday, Valentino!
Tessie Sy-Coson
Vice Chairman, SM Investments Corp. and Chairman, Banco de Oro
Over the years, I have learned to admire Miguel’s work in The Philippine STAR, and come to appreciate and value his great support and warm friendship.
He has brought the STAR to another generation of readers by continuing its tradition of fairness and truth, at the same time creating exciting and delightful content for a younger market.
Happy birthday, Miguel, and wishing you more success, good health, and happiness.
Fernando Zobel De Ayala
Chairman, Ayala Foundation
We appreciate the friendship that we have had over many years with Miguel and the Belmonte family.
We have had the pleasure of working with Miguel and his team on numerous projects over the years. For me, the more memorable ones are those where he was personally involved, like the Hero Foundation, where we help the families of the fallen soldiers; and the Taal Eruption relief efforts in 2020 where we were the first movers in giving aid to the affected communities.
I have always appreciated that Miguel and the Philstar Media Group have ensured fair, balanced and accurate reporting.
We look forward to many more years of friendship Miguel. Happy birthday!
Manny Villar
Chairman, Villar Group
Miguel Belmonte is an astute businessman who is successfully leading one of the biggest media companies in the Philippines. I see in Miguel some of the admirable traits of his father—a good friend of mine, Speaker Sonny Belmonte: leadership, kindness, hard work, and a passion for excellence. I wish him more years of providing information to our people, so crucial in a democracy such as ours. Happy birthday, Miguel!
Ramon S. Ang
President and CEO, San Miguel Corporation
Our friendship, built on mutual respect and wonderful memories, is really special to me. It’s been amazing to see how you’ve guided the Philstar Media Group of publications. You’ve made a big impact, not just in the industry, but in people’s lives, including mine. Excited for what’s ahead for you. Here’s to celebrating today and to many more years of working and growing together. Happy birthday, Miguel!
Hans Sy
Chairman, SM Prime Executive Committee
The first time I met Miguel Belmonte, he promptly introduced himself without fanfare. His unassuming and charismatic vibe made for a very enjoyable first meeting. It really impressed on me afterwards how down to earth and authentic a man he is.
Kevin Tan
CEO, Alliance Global Group
Miguel is someone who always wears a sincere smile, and whose demeanor resonates so much with warmth, kindness, and compassion. That’s what really stands out to me about him.
Thank you for your unending support to our group of companies.
I always appreciate the friendship that we’ve built together over the years.
To you, Miguel, I wish more years of healthy life and even greater success. Happy birthday!
Peter Coyiuto
President and CEO, First Life Financial
I have known Miguel for so many years now. He is a titan and a star in the Philippine media world. Miguel is not just a father to his children but also to thousands of employees under the colossal Philstar Media Group. He’s done more than justice in having taken the helm of the media group that his beloved mom, Tita Betty, founded in 1986 because he steered the business operations through the most challenging times including the Asian financial crisis in the late ‘90s, and now even amidst the social media era; not only did it catch up with the competition early on but it has maintained at being one of the biggest media companies in the country both in size and relevance.
It is worth saying that with the enormous responsibilities upon Miguel’s shoulders, there is the one “Star” that makes his day a lot easier — kudos to his loving and caring wife, Milette, for always being by Miguel’s side no matter what. “Truth Shall Prevail.” I wish Miguel a very happy birthday!
Lance Gokongwei
President and CEO, JG Summit Holdings Inc.
Dear Miguel, happy birthday! Wishing The Philippine STAR an exciting and newsworthy year ahead, full of advertising and subscribers. And wishing you, Miguel, personally a peaceful, healthy and happy year!
Alfred Ty
Vice Chairman, GT Capital; Chairman, Toyota Motor Philippines
Wishing the ever-so-friendly, always-smiling, stress-free-looking CEO a happy birthday. May you have many years of good health, Miguel!
Ramon ‘Rj’ Jacinto
Founder, RJ Group of Companies
Miguel is a very kind and accommodating person who has successfully carried the Philippine STAR torch of high journalism standards his mother Betty Go Belmonte started.
No matter how uncomfortable a situation is, Miguel can make you feel at ease and come up with a win-win solution. Once, during a long holiday, Miguel tried to stay home and be useful there by rearranging things in their closet. But it turned out that eventually his wife preferred the previous arrangement; Miguel decided to go back to his turf, his office, where he was really more useful.
I know the feeling. That’s why I go to work on Sundays.
Gilbert ‘Gibo’ Teodoro
Secretary of National Defense
I always get the short end of the stick when people refuse to believe we were batchmates in Xavier. They always stress that he seems younger than me!