Truths be told

There are certain truths that prevail in our life. They may be lessons passed on by our elders, or epiphanies gained from experience, or in current speak, memes that become a hit in everyday life.

My mother, for instance, told me to “just be good and life will be good to you.” I realized, however, that life is not always fair. Good people often become unsung heroes, martyrs, and victims of injustice. Bad people get away with wickedness, depravity, and greed. Karma doesn’t always happen, and if it does, it comes late. Perhaps it follows the right timing. And it happens when least expected.

I asked several personalities what truths they embrace and live by. Their answers:

Robina Gokongwei-Pe

President and CEO, Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc.

You can never be a good leader unless you are a good follower. My dad John Gokongwei Jr. let me report to three professional managers before I got to my CEO position. He told all of them that I had to punch in and out using what was then called a Bundy clock.

Michael Tantoco Huang

Senior Vice President for Development & Support, Rustan’s

For me, it’s all about honesty. The one thing my grandparents and parents always told me is to always be honest and true to myself.

Hans ‘Chico’ Sy

President, SM Engineering Design & Development

I was taught to always look for a win-win solution in most situations. Providing value to all parties will always deliver long-term trust that is valuable in relationships and business. It makes things more challenging, but that is what makes life more interesting as well.

Mike Lopez

Board Director and Treasurer, Rockwell Land Corporation

My father (Manolo Lopez) always reminded me to practice humility and simplicity, and to always be respectful towards people, particularly the elderly.

Kevin Tan

CEO, Global Alliance Group

In a world that is oftentimes dominated by fake news and illusion, I believe that the name and reputation one has built through his words, deeds, and actions is the one truth that cannot be long hidden and can never be replaced.

Capt. Stanley Ng

President & COO, Philippine Airlines

I have learned to be grateful for all the blessings and learnings in life, and to be able to share these to other people. To lead with authenticity and transparency, encourage open communication, teamwork, and healthy conflicts among team members.

Lastly, to continue to be passionate about the vision but always be agile and keep an open mind to embrace innovations and changes. Everyone is carefully watching you, so walk the talk with fairness and consistency.

Louie O. Gutierrez

President, Urban Farmers PH; CEO, Silverworks

When intentions are clear, amazing things happen!

This is a simple and powerful truth that has resonated with me, especially during the height of the pandemic. In those challenging years, the future of SilverWorks was unclear—stores were closed and out of business. Many of my staff were leaving.

One thing was clear: I want to continue providing a livelihood for my people who built my brand alongside me. If retail couldn’t be the means at that time, I had to create a new one. It came unexpectedly in the form of building temporary urban farms from unused lands in the middle of the city.

Urban Farmers PH was born, and to this day, it continues to inspire more and more Filipinos to grow their own organic food. In the midst of uncertainty, how SilverWorks needed to keep going and growing, in and beyond itself, remained clear.

Our resolve to come out of the pandemic as a tried, true and enduring brand, was clear. Here, we still are, because of that. I don’t wish that I learned this earlier because life has its way of teaching me this truth time and again. Relearning this has always given way to more amazing and humbling things.

Fernando Zobel

Chairman, Ayala Foundation

I have learned that trust is the foundation for any successful relationship, be it among co-workers, partners, clients, or within a community. At Ayala, we deeply understand the significance of trust and its impact on our endeavors. We know that trust is not built overnight. It is a gradual process that requires consistent actions, integrity, transparency, and reliability. It has taken us a great deal of time, effort, and constant adherence to our guiding principles to instill confidence in those we engage with. It is through the trust others have placed in us that we have been able to succeed through many generations. We deeply appreciate that. 

Loren Legarda

Senate President Pro Tempore

“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.” I have been a dreamer, since childhood. I dreamt big and small. I worked hard to attain my dreams, I reached some, and I am grateful that my tenacity paid off.

I failed in many, too, and I am grateful for the life lessons learned that have humbled me, and made me a better human.

Today, I dream the dreams of the Filipino, big and small, and my laws, my projects, and all the work I do, all of it is dedicated to attaining the dream of every man, woman, and child. Never cease to dream. Act on it. Thus, leaving this world a better place than when you found it.

Manny Villar

Chairman, Villar Group

Nothing beats hard work and perseverance. If you came from nothing, if you don’t have money, if obstacles come at you at every turn, even if you fail, sipag and tiyaga will make it happen for you.

That is the lesson I learned early in life; helping my mother sell fish and shrimps in Divisoria so we could make ends meet. That is the truth I have applied all throughout my life.

I put up my business with a P10,000 loan, and two air-conditioned trucks. And through hard work and perseverance, I overcame the obstacles.

I became a public servant with no experience in politics, but I worked hard and persevered—learning everything I could about legislation and governance.

Amenah Pangandaman

Secretary, Department of Budget and Management

There are three truths that I value in life: Education is the greatest gift, hard work is the key to success, and kindness is never wasted.

Since I was a child, my parents inculcated in me that my education is their greatest gift to me. And so, even at a young age, I valued my education and studied hard to get good grades.

When I became a professional, my mentor, SEJA, taught me that you can’t be successful without hard work. There are no shortcuts in life, so you have to work hard to achieve your goals. But it’s equally important to be kind along the way. More than a reformer, I want to be remembered as someone who lifts others and fosters a culture of kindness.

Elena Coyiuto

Businesswoman & Artist

At this point in my life, I value having balance in my work and allotting time for myself. I used to work 24/7, but now I channel my energy into my old and new passions like painting, listening to music, piano, golf, Pilates, learning French, reading, and being with friends.

I feel like it makes me a better person, de-stresses, and helps me become more calm in my decision-making in everyday life. Sometimes when you’re so preoccupied with the bottom line of a business, you forget that there are more important things you have to think of. Time passes by so fast that it’s sad when you forget to enjoy what you do.

Doris Magsaysay Ho

President & CEO, A. Magsaysay Ho Inc.

The greatest truth I value is that life’s purpose is not only to succeed in achieving business and personal goals, but to pursue the most important journey into our hearts where there is love, contentment, and an abundance of gratitude for everything we have and don’t have.

Therese Coronel Santos

Vice Chairperson, Cinderella Marketing Group

I value the importance of listening to people. The world can be a noisy place and in business, everyone always has something to say but I find that being present and actively listening helps me understand people and makes me more open to new ideas. 

Just like what the Dalai Lama said, “When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.”

Irene Martel-Francisco

Managing Director, Tatler

I learned from my father (Antonio V. Martel) a valuable lesson. I once asked him when I was young, what he wanted me to be. I asked this from a work-related standpoint.

My father said, “I want you to be happy. Do what makes you happy. My dreams are not your dreams. Do not feel obligated.”

Rhoda Campos-Aldanese

Vice Chair and COO, Mega Global Licensing Inc; Publisher, Vogue Philippines

Entering into uncharted territory can be terrifying. 

Encouragement and optimism is a great business experience. 

Archie Carrasco was key in motivating me, as he said this to me: “In order to be a leader, we do not need to be perfect. I was far from it starting in this industry. You can be used in extraordinary ways and turn the situation over by not dwelling on your weaknesses. Believe in yourself and love for learning. And more importantly, stay true to your passion and purpose commitment for others and country.”