IF all companies are like San Miguel Corp. (SMC), progress in our country will definitely be as fast as a Formula One car, if not the A380—the biggest commercial jet in the world—in full throttle.
I say this again in the wake of SMC’s recent revelation that it has allotted P168 billion for infrastructure projects all over the country, triggered no less by the construction of the South Luzon Expressway (Slex)-Lucena City stretch set for opening in 2017.
The Slex-Lucena Road is a 58-kilometer, four-lane highway costing P13.1 billion. Once completed, it will cut travel time from Manila to the major Quezon Province hub by almost three hours.
What a relief, indeed.
Do you know that every time I travel from home to Calauag, Quezon (my wife’s beautiful birthplace by the bay), via Lucena, it takes me almost eight hours? And the distance is about a mere 237 km.
Once completed, it will not only be a big relief to Bicol-bound motorists and folk rekindling their roots in the country but, more important, it will smashingly spark economic growth in Southern Tagalog and Bicolandia, where numerous trade, commerce and tourism prospects are just dying to be tapped. Imagine thousands of jobs alone to be generated by such an unprecedented business boom.
Listen to Ramon S. Ang, SMC’s visionary chieftain, who has virtually single-handedly carried the conglomerate’s climb to heights of growth-oriented thrusts all these years, is the main architect of this latest San Mig foray into infrastructure. “We look at infrastructure as an opportunity to participate in the growth of our country. Quality infrastructure will change and impact lives as it will help encourage new investments across these regions. Land values will appreciate, new businesses will emerge. Because of the new roads, progress will be brought to the towns and barangays,” Ang said.
Indeed, if there’s one genuine giant ally of President Aquino in helping fast-track his mission and vision for a livable, progressive and a country at par with its neighbors under his watch, it can only be Ang aka RSA.
RSA has done so much infrastructure developments already, among them the Slex-Skyway, airport overpass, the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway ending in Rosario, La Union, not to mention the P20.1-billion Cavite-Laguna Expressway and airport-expansion schemes, to name only a few. And now this, the Slex-Lucena wonder. And yet, RSA would rather that he be considered but a simple Filipino just trying to help “our country achieve more for the ultimate benefit of our people.”
RSA’s humble conclusion: “And we are just happy that we are in a position to contribute.”
A paragon of humility even.
STV ARCC race in Tagaytay
For the record, the following participated in the recent ARCC Rally in Tagaytay and back
Chevrolet: Sonny Flores, Kathey Legaspi, Trixie Flores, Paullus Reyes, Michael Reyes, China Tapia, Isabel Martinez, Mara Marasigan, Rolan Lalantacon and Sarah Lalantacon
Ford: Ace Valenzuela, Teddy Llanes, Larry Ulep, Ricky Bautista Jr., Minnie Valencia, Jet Lee, Kale Alvarez, Sandy Superable and Edward Alcain
Honda: Mike Potenciano, Lindy Pellicer, Al Bato, Ulysses Ang, Mikko David, Eric Soriano, Kris Lim, Ronald Delos Reyes and Steven Yu
Hyundai: Bebot Reyes, Manny Lubitania, Art Guevara, Charlie Cruz, Mika David, Ronnie Trinidad, Rox Martinez, Love Magdoza, SJ Unite, Paul Malamug, Michael de Guzman and Teth de los Reyes
Isuzu: Patrick Dizon, Jessie Naidas, Paul Agustin, Roberto Robino, Dax Arenas, Rogel Soriano, Mark Quitoriano, Joaquin Ledesma, Derrick Tan, Gerald San Agustin, Sheridan Sol and Manuel Cruz
Lexus: Raffy David, Jojo Uligan, Chester Gokingyok, Francis Ramos, Celso Alincastre, Jayson Sze, Jeff Reyes, Brent Co and Gab Sobpreña
Mazda: Robert Chan, Nizz Sapan, Homer Lopez, Joseph Tanpoco, Ritz Marcelino, Sherlon Sanson, Carlo Payumo, Will Generoso and Martin Barrios
Mini: Rommel Regino, Edwin Natividad, Dante Gozum, Randy Yap, Chester Co, Chester Tan, Ramon Tanjuatco, Norma Barba and Jefferson Lizardo
Nissan: Albert Luzon, Rey Francis Tolentino, Marino Gante, Riki Rosales, Paul Dano, Mike Sia, Kevin Francisco, Jemil Bautista, Iggy Montano, Paolo San Diego, Jonathan Musngi and Karen Casiño
PGA: Botchi Santos, Jaykee Evangelista, Edel Tan, Pamela Mesina, Rhenze Ramirez, Dep Canoy, Roger Estella and Nicolla Ordoñez
Subaru: Eric Valera, Jic Valera, Bhonny Cunamay, Monchi Gupit, Carlo Villanueva, Jan Gomez, Justin Inigo, Brian Buencamino and Bryan Zarzuela
Toyota: Tessa Salazar, Carlo Pamintuan, Aries Espinosa, Sameer Ajihil, Jan Marcus Liwas, Rio Halili, Pauland Dumlao, Paul Cusi and Elwin Narvaez
See you all again in November for the rally’s second edition in Subic? (Author’s note: The Overall Corporate Team Top 3—Subaru, Toyota and Honda. The Overall Individual Team Top 3—Subaru, Subaru and Honda.)
Pee stop. Quick, avail yourselves of Toyota’s free 20-point safety inspection in all 45 dealerships nationwide, which is up to March 31… Cheers to the new Volkswagen showroom along Quezon Avenue, Quezon City. Volkswagen Philippines President and CEO John Philip Orbeta, and COO Kalus Schadewald were on hand to welcome guests during the showroom’s inauguration…Sayonara to Hikosaburo Shibata, who has completed his four-year stint as president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Philippines. He will be replaced by Yoshiaki Kato, 49, effective April 1.