There is no doubt that extensive experience, comprehensive knowledge, and a set of favorable circumstances are all necessary to shape future executives. But too often, the difference that a kind and supported mentor can make is underestimated.
Mani Villar
My mother is the biggest influence on my journey as an entrepreneur. I know it’s cliché to say that mothers are our first teachers, but Nanay Coring has made the biggest difference in my life.
At a very young age, she taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. There is no problem or obstacle that cannot be solved or overcome through hard work and patience. She taught me this not through lectures or books but by doing it herself.
When I accompanied her and helped her sell fish and shrimp in Divisoria, I saw how hard she worked to earn a living so we could have food on the table and how she stood firm in the face of the toughest challenges in our lives.
I can honestly say that the image of my mother standing inside our small shop in the Divisoria market is what inspired me during the toughest moments of my career as an entrepreneur.
Nanay Coring also taught me the importance of providing excellent products and services to customers. Sometimes one of our customers would come and talk to her for a while. Then she would turn to me and say, “Hey boy, don’t deceive customers, always treat others with honesty and kindness.”
That stayed with me and guided me in my life as an entrepreneur and public servant.
Benedict Sison
I consider my university professor, Dr. Emmanuel de Leon, the fourteenth president of the University of the Philippines who passed away on April 22, 2023, to be the mentor who has had the greatest impact on my life.
Dr. de Leon invited me to teach at the College of Business Administration at the University of the Philippines.
Kelvin Ang
I consider the former CEO of AIA Group, the mentor who has had the greatest impact on my life.
I first met him in Hong Kong in 2009 when I was the general manager of AIA’s Guangdong branch. Under his stewardship, I rose to the position of general manager of the Shanghai branch in 2010, AIA China agency head in 2013, AIA Malaysia agency head in 2015, and CEO of AIA Philippines in 2019.
Once I pledged to be a good soldier for him, and he immediately corrected me that I shouldn’t be that. Instead, I should be a great leader. A leader for myself and others.
Ricardo Isla
My iconic bosses whom I also consider mentors are Tony Fernandes, who entrusted me with significant responsibilities in transforming AirAsia in the Philippines into success, and Mani V. P. Angilinan – MVP who opened many opportunities for me when I was still with Smart-PLDT and provided me with all the exposures and training I needed that shaped me into the leader I am today.
I met Tony when I joined AirAsia in the Philippines in 2019. His strong leadership style that united the entire AirAsia organization from post-pandemic recovery to global dominance is one of the biggest lessons I learned from him.
For me, he is also a transformational leader in the aviation sector, leading the company from being just a full travel and lifestyle company to dominance in the Southeast Asia region.
The focus on goal with a strong emphasis on safety is what Tony instilled in his leaders. His leadership has also earned AirAsia numerous accolades, including Best Low-Cost Airline for 14 consecutive years and Best Low-Cost Airline in Asia for eight years to date.
Ernest Khoo
I consider Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala to be the most influential mentor in my life.
I met him as a father of two children at an international school in Manila. Although many expected business to be the starting point of our conversation at our first meeting, that was not the case. We found ourselves immersed in our children as loving parents. I immediately saw Jaimie’s value for family, which reflects how he values everyone in the organization.
We
We are not just employees; we are partners in shared progress.
Through my years of working with Jamie, I understood that effective leadership goes far beyond business acumen. It’s about putting people first. It encompasses qualities like empathy, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to the well-being of all stakeholders.
Jamie’s approach showed me the importance of fostering an organizational culture that empowers employees and rewards their contributions. This philosophy has shaped my leadership style and has become a cornerstone of our company’s ethics.
Frédéric Daiponsio
Throughout my career as a professional banker for over 20 years, I have been fortunate to encounter several valuable mentors who have helped shape my thinking and approach to matters.
Trust and mutual respect are the most important factors that shape healthy relationships. As part of a family, trust and respect are key to enhancing healthy relationships.
I see the value that the SM Group provides to all stakeholders, including shareholders, employees, communities, and the general public.
For me, this matters. The SM Group is based on a “family” culture, where the group considers stakeholders and the entire environment as family, fostering a robust culture of helping one another.
Nina Aguas
Dennis O’Grady, Chief Audit Executive of Citigroup, appointed by John Reed. He has given me the confidence and empowerment to take on responsibility and accountability, ensuring that I can make honest mistakes, learn from them, and achieve better results.
I met him early in my career at Citi, and the upward journey has been continuous. He provided me a platform to showcase my leadership abilities and entrusted me with the corporate audit management in Asia Pacific.
He taught me to learn the trade and be comfortable in my skin … literally too (he was an African American man and I am an Asian woman), and humility in success. Always be grateful.
Felipe Guzon
Although it is difficult to pinpoint just one mentor who made the biggest difference in my life, because there are many, I suppose they were my parents, former Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources Benjamin Guzon Sr., and my mother Carolina Labos-Guzon, who made me realize I was wasting my time and opportunity to make something of my life.
That was in my third year of law school at the University of the Philippines when they made me aware of this.
The most important lesson I learned from them is to earnestly pursue the career you choose with honesty and integrity. And to always trust in God.
Rafael Consing Jr.
I consider former Secretary of Finance Lito Camacho to be the primary mentor in my ongoing professional life.
I worked under his guidance for four years at Bankers Trust – in Manila and Singapore. We have remained friends throughout these years.
Continuously, I seek his advice – for both professional and personal matters. So, I can say that he has truly guided me through my career over the years.
Regarding my personal life, he has always been ready to remind me that a person is incomplete, even if they are materially successful, until they complete their family.
Like a real big brother – every time we talk – Lito reminds me of the necessity of having a wonderful family life. I am grateful to him. At least, I have also witnessed how dedicated he is to Mrs. Camacho. It is inspiring.
In terms of my professional life – from my years in international retail sales and distribution in Asia Pacific, North America, the Middle East, and Europe to becoming the regional head of operations and general manager for the UK, Europe, the US, Italy, and Singapore – it has given me a broader vision not only of how the market works but also of how consumers think, which is an effective application I brought when I moved to AirAsia.
Lito is a visionary who prioritizes customer interests simultaneously. Learning from him made me master this formula that I still apply today with AirAsia.
Tony and Lito also taught me the value of customer experience, people growth, and company growth.
Ernst
Co
I consider the CEO and President of Globe Telecom Inc., Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, to be the most influential mentor in my life.
I met him as a professor of philosophy at Ateneo – Father Rock Friois, who opened my mind to the meaning and richness of insight, abstraction, and concepts, particularly in geology – the nature of the universe, and the ability to hold these contradictory concepts together.
In my recent discussion about my thesis with him – Saint Thomas Aquinas and Descartes – he admonished me for providing a theoretical example – “Mr. Pangilinan, why don’t you be more human?”
This sums up everything about Father Friois.
Edgar “Ingap” Sia
My father is my greatest and deepest personal mentor. During my formative years, he instilled in my siblings and me ancient values and principles such as discipline, determination, integrity, hard work, courage, and humility.
He also taught us the importance of making a lasting positive impact on society and our fellow humans. He taught us to always be patient and kind but not to be weak.
My father also taught us the value of perseverance and integrity and to always look at the long term. I have benefited greatly from that when I remained on track during the difficult nature of business and nurtured it for many years to become strong and resilient. More importantly, I am very grateful to my father for teaching me the value of staying grounded no matter where fate will take me.
Edgar “Ingap” Sia
For me, the founder and CEO of Century Properties, Ambassador Jose E. B. Antonio, is the mentor who has significantly influenced my journey to becoming a CEO.
His guidance and wisdom have been invaluable throughout my professional and personal development. Under his mentorship, I not only gained essential skills but absorbed the importance of integrity, resilience, and innovation in the business world.
My siblings and I – Jigger, Ruby, and Carlo – grew up in the business, and Century Properties played a significant role in our lives, shaping our upbringing and instilling in us a deep understanding of the industry.
Source: https://business.inquirer.net/435091/finding-success-thanks-to-mentors
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