"Always remember that the future is yours – take hold of it. Be proactive when it comes to change. Make it happen. Don’t wait for government and others to take the lead," Tan said, in a speech read in his behalf by Lt. Gen. Salvador M. Mison (Ret.), president of Basic Holdings, the businessman’s holding company.
Tan, the school’s commencement speaker, said TCA has an even greater challenge of producing specialists in science, mathematics, education, engineering, forestry and veterinary medicine. "But in my opinion, agriculture is our best bet for national survival and economic recovery."
Citing his interest in agriculture, Tan recalled that his first business venture was the establishment of a corn starch factory in the late 1950s, which closed shop due to stiff competition.
"From this experience, I learned my first valuable business lesson: ‘Everything has its good side and bad side. The key lies in turning disadvantages into advantages."
Within the same year, Tan said that with borrowed capital, he set up Himmel Industries, a chemical manufacturing and trading firm, and later, established Fortune Tobacco, which became the foundation for the businessman’s expansion into agribusiness, banking, airlines and hotels.
"I learned two of the most valuable lessons for an entrepreneur: ‘In business, follow the principle of mutual benefit and equal opportunity and the economy prospers; and even the accomplished suffers setbacks sometimes. The more bitter the lessons, the greater the success will be,’" stressed Tan, who has an honorary degree in applied agriculture from the Central Luzon State University.
Tan said TCA, which is celebrating its 59th anniversary this year, plays an important role in honing the skills of future agribusiness entrepreneurs.
He urged the educational institution to pursue agriculture courses, saying this "will help solve our country’s economic problems."
"While I have faith in our country’s ability to rebound, it would be misleading to say that you all face a very promising future as you leave the hallowed halls of this institution," Tan pointed out. "But what I can tell you is that with your TCA education, you are prepared to enter the real world and fighting your real, day-to-day ‘wars’ because you have been ‘armed’ intellectually and socially."