PRINCIPLES FOR YOUNG NATION BUILDERS
Do hard everything and give back with to principle, the communi- work ty. These may sound overused and idealistic, but these are also what helped self-made business leaders become who they are today. Some of these nationbuilders, such as Ambassador Jesus P. Tambunting and former Agriculture Secretary Senen C. Bacani wish these too, from today’s young leaders.
Tambunting’s Journey to Nation Building
what we have “Many people to talk things want about to just achieve principles come but down like I think in- to tegrity. That’s what we lose in our daily life, especially in politics,” said Tambunting. He believes that people should not be solely focused on achieving what they want but what is also good for others. “And that achieving something should be done with principle, with integrity. That’s the only way you can really be successful. You may be successful in attaining some wealth, but it doesn’t last long,” he added. Tambunting was a Philippine ambassador to London from 1993 to 1998 and an officer of the Order of the British Empire – an honor conferred by Queen Elizabeth II. Today, he worries that Filipinos might be losing that capacity to believe in what is correct. “When I graduated from school, I really did not know what I really wanted to do,” Tambunting shared. His father then suggested that the young Tambunting try banking. He began to like it and tried to learn as much as he could. He was even sent for a six- month training at Wall Street in New York where he was given the opportunity to meet David Rockefeller. For Tambunting, banking is public service. He intended to make banking more accessible to the rural areas. From commercial banking, Tambunting went into rural banking in Malolos, Bulacan, after realizing how much impact they were making in the community. In 1971, he established Planters Development Bank, which catered primarily to small and mediumsized enterprises. you’ve “If you got to really do the like right what thing. you’re You doing, have to first like what you’re doing and believe in what you want to achieve. Then you become passionate. You have to enjoy it. You have to like it, but it has to be principled,” he emphasized. When asked about what achievement he is most proud of, Tambunting fondly tells the story of how he helped bring a Filipino chaplain to Amman, Jordan. As a member of the religious Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, Tambunting was elected Knight Commander of the Philippine lieutenancy. He went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, who was then the lieutenancy’s grand prior. They were asked by the head of the Latin Patriarchate for assistance. The Filipinos based in Amman, Jordan were in need of a Filipino chaplain to attend to their spiritual needs. Since Tambunting was the head of the order, the responsibility of responding to this urgent request fell upon him. It was no easy task but they pulled through. Six months later, Tambunting and Tagle were invited by Fr. Gerald Metal, the first Filipino chaplain in Jordan, to bless the Filipino center there. “For three days we were there to see how it changed the lives of these 45,000 Filipinos.” It is important for Tambunting to give back to the community because “in the first place, you wouldn’t be successful without the community.”
The Secret Behind Bacani’s Success
things For in Bacani, leading the and two becoming most successful important are hard work and integrity. He also believes that leaders need to be concerned for people and have a people-centered approach. “Because they are the ones who will deliver the goods for you so you really have to take care of them, your own people and your community. The employees and the community are really the ones responsible for the success of the company. If both of them are okay, the company should be okay,” Bacani emphasized. firm He decisions prefers He but describes participative for empowering themselves, his leadership and people as empowering. opposed to style make as to the people autocratic are just style expected of management to agree with where everything that the leader says. According to Bacani, “Letting the people decide for themselves is your only way of showing that you trust your people. You can’t scold them the first time they make a wrong decision.” decision He continued, rather than “I’d no rather decision have at a all. wrong But hopefully they will learn from whatever wrong decision they made. They have to be given a chance. Because the idea is to empower their own.” them He points to make out their that one decisions needs on to learn from failures. According to Bacani, “There should always be some expectation that once in a while you will fail. The important thing is you learn from your failures and how high you can bounce back.” ended pany Department It and was up then working also of later Agriculture by for chance as Dole the secretary how Food during Bacani Com- the of term ter finishing of President his MBA Corazon at the Aquino. East- West AfCenter in University of Hawaii, Bacani opted to stay another year to take more courses and work part- time. A Catholic priest referred him to the president of Dole in Hawaii. After a couple of interviews, Bacani got a job. At that time, the president of Dole Philippines, Geronimo Velasco, learned that Bacani was with the company and asked him to come home and work for the local office instead. Dole It Philippines was while Bacani when was he working was recom- with mended by Speaker Ramon V. Mitra to President Aquino when there was a vacancy in the Department of Agriculture. Bacani was most proud of being given the opportunity and challenge to serve the local farmers and fisherfolk. “I never really expected that, because I never had any experience in government,” he shared. As for today’s young leaders, Bacani thinks there is still a need for them to be idealistic, “because of what’s happening, there can be a lot of skepticism in terms of what one can do.” “I think even as individual persons, we can do a lot,” he said. “Even simple things like helping other people, even just our neighbors. More so when you are in a company, you can help a lot more people. We always say that in giving we receive.”
A Call for Young Leaders
demonstrated munity To recognize just like a positive Tabunting youth impact leaders and on Bacani, who the com- have the PHINMA Group, in collaboration with De La Salle University and JCI Manila, launched the Ramon V. Del Rosario (RVR) Siklab Awards. It is a national search for young Filipino leaders who have the potential of steering the nation. someone trepreneurial The RVR who Siklab and patriotic embodies Awards spirit is looking the of PHIN- en- for MA founder Ramon V. Del Rosario. The winner should demonstrate exceptional leadership in organizing and managing sustainable business or social enterprises or programs. He or she should make the lives of those in his or her community better and has a passion for nation-building. be recognized? Do you know Submit anyone your who nominations deserves to by filling out the online form at https://tinyurl.com/SiklabOnlineNomination. You may also download a soft copy of the nomination form at https://tinyurl.com/SiklabNominationForm, fill it out and send it to rvrsiklabawards@dlsu.edu.ph. You may also opt to send the hard copy via mail to: De La Salle University Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration 2401 Taft Ave., Manila 0922 Philippines RVR SIKLAB AWARD Deadline for all nominations will be on October 31, 2018. For any questions or inquiries, you may visit facebook.com/SiklabAwards.