The Remarkable Journey of Ramon Ang: Simplicity and Success at San Miguel Corporation
Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corporation stands out as a true icon in the Philippine business landscape. As noted by Tony Lopez of the Philippine Star, Ang's articles capture the essence of how this Tondo boy rose to become the top honcho of one of Asia's largest corporations—a fairy tale in itself. In my youth, I recall passing through Polo in Valenzuela, Bulacan, and noticing the Soriano family's brewery in the mid-fifties. From the Sorianos to the Cojuangcos and now to Ramon Ang, it's a long and compelling business story that deserves to be told in full.
A Legacy of Trust and Transformation
Ramon Ang, considered one of the richest men in the country, embodies simplicity in his appearance, dress, and speech, yet his business credentials are truly impressive. His life took a dramatic turn through his friendship with the late Eduardo 'Danding' Cojuangco. During martial law, when Cojuangco accompanied the Marcoses into exile after their fall from power in 1986, Ang was entrusted with managing the business. He proved his trustworthiness to his friend in exile, demonstrating that honesty and simplicity are ingrained in his DNA.
His decency and highly developed moral values have sustained the operations of San Miguel Corporation, transforming it into a conglomerate in no time. The late Boss Danding must have been pleasantly surprised by the company's growth. Today, SMC has diversified into various interests, including building expressways and airports, beyond its traditional beer business.
The Bulacan Airport Project: A Game-Changer for Philippine Aviation
Currently, aside from rehabilitating the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Ramon Ang is halfway through constructing what will soon be the country's largest airport in Bulacan. This new airport is poised to compare with Singapore's Changi Airport, raising questions about its impact on the operations of the Gotianun-led LIPAD at Clark Freeport.
My personal calculations suggest that Ang's Bulacan airport will adversely affect LIPAD in terms of passengers and revenues. Former Clark Development Corporation President Noel Manankil, now heading LIPAD, must be crunching his numbers as we speak. The newly built terminal at Clark Airport, opened over two years ago, is now linked to northern provinces via a new road to New Clark City in Tarlac.
Clark Airport's Evolution and Challenges
Looking back, after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, Clark Airport was hardly used. The first commercial flight began in October 2003, with United Parcel Service (UPS) operating 11 daily flights. Aseana Airlines experimented with a test flight carrying mostly golfers, followed by regular flights with tourists and investors. Air Asia, under Tony Fernandez, started short-haul commercial flights, though it was later purchased and sold by Congressman Michael Romero of Angeles City.
Legacy carriers like Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific were among the first to arrive. Slowly, the terminal was upgraded to accommodate more passengers, with annual revenues nearing billions. As a former member of the board of directors of Clark International Airport Corporation, I recall approving the services of the AFP Corps of Engineers to strengthen the tarmac for cargo planes—a move that paved the way for future growth.
Government Strategy and Future Airport Developments
Here's a business strategy that may puzzle some: the government issued a notice of award to San Miguel Holdings Corporation to build the new international airport in Bulacan, and construction has been ongoing for several years. The operational timeline remains uncertain. SMC obtained original proponent status for this air gateway, located some kilometers from Clark Airport.
As the original proponent, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) evaluated SMC's proposal, rejecting it initially due to concerns about flooding in surrounding areas during rainy months. However, government agencies were eventually convinced by offered solutions, allowing SMC to proceed. As the saying goes, the more the merrier, but other projects like Sangley Airport in Cavite have received go-signals yet seen little movement.
Airports in Subic, Zambales; San Fernando, La Union; and Loakan in Baguio City also await development. Let us fly high as these initiatives shape the future of Philippine aviation, driven by visionaries like Ramon Ang.
