More business movers

One of the more interesting, or we could also say colorful, personalities in the elite circle of Philippine business movers is Mr. Ernesto Ordoñez who sits as the president of the Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines and served as past president of the Asean Federation of Cement Manufacturers.

Ernie, in fact, served in various positions in the government as secretary for Presidential Flagship Programs and Projects under President Fidel V. Ramos; undersecretary of the Department of Trade & Industry; undersecretary for the Dept. of Agriculture; governor of the Board of Investments, managing director of the Technology Resource Center; Commissioner of the Export Processing Zone Authority; and chairman of the National Consumer Affairs Council.

But just as colorful was his youth when he was a student activist in the Marcos era and was voted as president of the Student Council, captain and Best Debater  of the National Champion Debating Team of Ateneo de Manila University where he graduated with a degree in A.B. Economics, Cum Laude. FromAteneo he moved to UP Los Baños where he was also class president and from where he earned his Diplomate for Agribusiness.  This would define his direction in his later years as an advocate for famers and fisherfolk.

 After the heat became too much to bear when martial law was declared and he was marked as an enemy of the state, and upon the advice of his concerned family, the young Ernie flew to the United States to pursue further education. In New York, he distinguished himself as the youngest Ph.D. (in Business Administration) graduate with straight A’s for three consecutive years at the New York University after getting his degree in M.S. Marketing at the same university where he was awarded membership in the US National Honor Society for Business.

That wasn’t quite enough for the young man to quench his thirst for more learning: he also got a Master’s Degree for Administrative Sciences at the Yale University where he graduated with a grade average of Summa Cum Laude. He also taught graduate and undergraduate business management courses at New York University and Fordham University, and served as consultant to Citibank and World Trade Center in New York City. He was also the highest ranking manager in his age level at Xerox Corp. USA.

Having distinguished himself with top honors in various levels of education in different universities, many would expect a straight-laced nerd who can’t crack a joke, sing a tune or shake a leg on the dance floor. They haven’t met Ernie. One of the anecdotes he would share with friends was the time he joined a dance contest in New York and won, besting several African-American who couldn’t believe that this non-professional dancer from the Philippines could swing the feat. Well, they discounted Ernie’s determination to excel in any field he enters. Have you been fortunate enough to watch him perform a sensuous lambada? It’s a complete departure from his more serious demeanor as a respected business leader and government official. And worth mentioning also along this line is his feat as executive producer of the highly acclaimed film, Saranggola, that swept most of the awards (eight!) at the Manila Filmfest for best movie, best story, script, actor, etc., and became the Official Philippine Entry to the 2000 US Academy Awards.  Though the film didn’t win, it has distinguished itself nevertheless.

He came back to the Philippines from a self-imposed exile even before Martial Law was lifted, defying his brother’s advice as they knew for certain he was a marked man, the only one who braved the wrath of the oppressive rule.  Luckily, he was spared the rod, or shall we say the bars, for Ernie went on to serve the government in various capacities, and discovered his affinities. Cement is one, this product many are wont to say is among the dirtiest in the modern age. Under his watch, he raised awareness for safeguarding the environment, and has won for the country recognition and several for his championing the causes of safety, recycling and responsibility towards the environment.

At the Department of Trade & Industry, Ernie Ordoñez oversaw the small business loan implementation, increasing the levels from P16 billion to P132 billion in five years’ time. His project “Tulong sa Tao” microenterprise lending program was recognized by the Asian Development Bank as among the best in Asia.

And then his stint at the Department of Agriculture as an undersecretary.  More than his other involvements, this probably opened his eyes to the plight of the Filipino farmer and fisherman, how they have become the most marginalized members of our society despite the nobility of their work. This agency figured in an ugly scandal, the monstrous fertilizer scam which cost the government hundreds of millions and deprived thousands of farmers of the benefits allotted for them, but it must be mentioned here that his happened only after Ordoñez left.  In his words, he believes “he was kicked upstairs so that the scams, which he would have prevented, could prosper.” His advocacy against corruption was never compromised, and he has kept the faith that the Philippines deserves only the best. There was a time during his government service that he traveled with as much as seven bodyguards assigned to him by the Presidential Security Group due to the serious threats to his life. Undaunted, he continued to serve in the way he knows best: management. He managed the bureaucracy in a sterling manner.

The Alyansa Agrikultura is his legacy to the farmers and fisher folk which promotes growth, equity and sustainable development, and promotes land reform with support services. Formed in 2003, the project aims to make agriculture more profitable using the business system approach.

Among the various awards heaped on him are the Presidential Golden Heart Award from the President of the Philippines, the TOYM (Ten Outstanding Young Men) Award from the Jaycees International Philippines and the Gerry Roxas Foundation, Gawad Para sa Bukod Tanging Paglilingkod sa Kahusayan that is given to only one Ateneo de Manila alumnus every year, the Award of Excellence from Xerox Corp., USA, and the GAWI Award for Outstanding Contribution, Philippine Agricultural Economics and Development Association.

Mabuhay!!! Be proud to be a Filipino.

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