MANILA, Philippines — After more than 50 years with conglomerate San Miguel Corp., Ferdinand K. Constantino finally put down his finance whiz hat.
Constantino, or FKC as he is known in the business community, has been the San Miguel Group’s CFO and treasurer since 2001 – serving for 24 long years.
Why did he retire now?
The decision was guided by a sense of readiness.
“My successors are ready and very capable professionals,” FKC told The STAR in an interview.
His retirement took effect last Feb. 1. He is succeeded by Wharton graduate and finance executive Bryan Villanueva as SMC’s new CFO.
FKC, a graduate of the University of the Philippines School of Economics and a UP Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awardee, joined SMC in 1974 as an economist at SMC Corporate Planning.
SMC was then under the leadership of Andres Soriano Jr. who was diversifying the company’s food business, building an ice cream plant and expanding into poultry production.
In 1982, SMC encountered its first major competitor with the entry of Lucio Tan-owned Asia Brewery.
All throughout SMC’s colorful journey from just a brewery to a diversified conglomerate, FKC was not just a witness. He played a significant role as the finance expert, handling different areas including budget and finance systems, and serving as comptroller and CFO for the brewery.
His biggest challenge, though, had nothing to do with numbers.
For FKC, the biggest task was helping the poor.
“I was the chairman of the San Miguel Foundation for many years and to me, the most important challenge was to help the poorest of the poor through SMC Better World communities and programs, and creating opportunities to uplift our countrymen,” he said.
The challenge of addressing poverty is immense, he said, but FKC is proud of the impact the company and its social arm have made in creating sustainable solutions for those in need.
RSA, a visionary boss
Asked what he will remember most about his five decades with SMC, FKC said it is SMC’s transformation and the leadership of tycoon Ramon S. Ang, which made such transformation possible.
“SMC’s transformation under RSA’s leadership is what I will remember most,” he said.
Asked about his biggest contribution, FKC said it was “helping build and strengthen the finance systems of SMC to support the diversification strategy of RSA.”
FKC believes that the San Miguel Group’s diversification into infrastructure, power, fuel and other key sectors has significantly contributed to national development.
It was all about uplifting the lives of the Filipino people, he said.
These projects have not only strengthened SMC’s position but have also played a critical role in uplifting the Filipino people.
He credits RSA for being the visionary boss who made – and continues to make – all this happen.
Speaking of RSA, Constantino said he is fortunate to have such a supportive boss.
“Through the years, he provided strong support and guidance to me as CFO. He is very hands-on. He is the author of San Miguel Corp.’s transformation. To him, helping our people is the top priority, as shown by his work during the pandemic,” FKC said.
After more than five decades, FKC, indeed, believes that he has done his job and is ready to pass on the torch to his successor.
He has been recognized for his role including being awarded the SMC / SMB Employee Service Awardee (50 years) in 2024; the ING-FINEX 2018 CFO of the Year Award and CFO of the Year - Philippines, The Asset Triple A Awards in 2019.
It’s not to say, though, that he will ride into the sunset.
He will remain an advisor of the corporation and the board of directors. He will continue to guide SMC as it strives to grow into an even bigger conglomerate with RSA at the helm.