‘My Father, the Chief Purpose Officer’
MY father, Gil G. Chua, is a son of a Chinese migrant from a middle-class family raised in Catanduanes, Bicol. He was the first in the family to run a multinational company as its brave and visionary Chairman and CEO.
A working student and a young father at the age of 19, Papa started his first job as an assistant in the media department of Advertising & Marketing Associates (AMA) in 1977. Throughout his decades-long career, he rose through the ranks and eventually took over what is now DDB Group Philippines.
He catapulted the company to become the country’s first and largest integrated marketing communications and business solutions provider, comprising three agency networks, three specialist agencies, two media companies, and five strategic business units operating in five cities and seven other locations across the country.
He worked very long hours and also had to be away on out-of-town trips very often, yet he was present in my and my siblings’ growing up years. He taught us how to swim, how to drive, how to save, how to argue, and how to thrive. He also encouraged us to consistently desire to learn, which today, is the kind of value that we also inculcate in our employees.
When I joined the company eight years ago, Papa turned out to be my biggest critic and most trusted ally. Each year, he would raise the bar of excellence for all of us. He loves disrupting our routine, constantly challenging us to find innovative and better ways to accomplish growth.
Papa is one shining example of this brand of leadership with his unwavering commitment to the company and his people. He’d say: “The one thing I love the most about this organization is that we are able to help talented Filipinos live meaningful lives by having a place to go to each day where they get to contribute, have a sense of purpose, and provide value to the community around them and to the nation. So my wish is for all of you to embrace the gift of work, grow the business to provide more job opportunities for Filipinos.”
Papa has just turned 62. Time goes by so fast. As we approach the peak of our journey together, I shall continue to learn from him and follow his example as I fulfill my role as a business leader and as a parent raising my own children. Most of all, I shall take to heart the most important lesson he has taught me, that is, it’s not about how much you know, but what you do with your knowledge to help others thrive as well.
Happy Birthday to my Chief Purpose Officer and father, GGC. For everything you are and do for all of us, thank you. We pray for your continued good health and happiness always.