MVP: Nation-builder

On the first morning of his birthday, business tycoon and philanthropist Manuel V. Pangilinan or MVP as he is popularly known, shared a photo of himself in a room overlooking a lush landscape, where he is “working and planning for the future,” he said. Typical of MVP – there was no time to rest as he set about the new day- he had several businesses to lead, thousands of employees to look after and millions of Filipinos to serve.

MVP’s humble beginnings would prove to be a strong foundation to this extraordinary work ethic, which was reflective even during his student days. From a scholar at San Beda in early education, MVP went on to graduate with honors at Ateneo de Manila. He was able to finish his MBA at Wharton School in Pennsylvania by winning a competition.

In 1981, MVP founded the First Pacific Company and grew it to become the investment giant it is now. Under it, PLDT group became the largest fixed broadband network and most modern wireless network provider in the country. Likewise, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), which traces its roots from First Pacific, became the leading infrastructure holding company in the Philippines, under MVP’s tutelage.

MVP is a strategic visionary. With MPIC under his wings, it diversified its portfolio to include investments in Manila Electric Company (Meralco), Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), Maynilad Water Services (Maynilad), MetroPac Water Investments Corp. (MPW), Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC), METPower Venture Partners (METPower), Metro Pacific Health Corp. (MPH), Landco Pacific Corp.(LandCo), Philippine Coastal Storage & Pipeline Corp. (PCSPC), Metro Pacific Health Tech Corp. (mWell), and Metro Pacific Agro Ventures Inc. (MPAV).

MVP is a nation-builder. Many business leaders have been characterized as such, but none as truly deserving as MVP. The services provided by the MVP Group are among the most fundamental- including telecommunications, digital services, electricity, water, road infrastructure, healthcare and media. They remain crucial for the stability and growth of the Philippines and shape our social development.

The MVP Group has consistently channeled private investments into vital public infrastructure, expanding access to essential services across the Philippines.

Just last month for example, none other than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. joined MVP in the inauguration of the Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) C5 Link Sucat Interchange, as well as the groundbreaking of two other connector roads – products of what President Marcos described as “a great deal of hard work, thorough planning, and collaborative efforts” between the government and the MVP Group.

Such critical infrastructure projects testify to the potential of the private sector to be a catalyst for development, ultimately benefiting the public and the country.

These recent developments also highlight the array of resources the private sector can provide in nation-building – ranging from technical expertise and new technologies to funding. Thankfully, many of the country’s business leaders, like MVP, are more than willing to work with the government to support various initiatives and programs and enhance or develop services for the collective benefit of the people.

Recently, the consortium of MPIC and Japan’s Sumitomo Corp. submitted an unsolicited proposal that aims to rehabilitate, operate and maintain the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) and carry out the necessary operations to allow through-train operations to connect the MRT-3 with the Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT-1).

If implemented, the project would allow for convenient and easy transfers between the MRT-3 and LRT-1, benefiting thousands of daily commuters.

MVP is a true transformative leader. He manages and continues to grow his companies with the agenda of uplifting lives. His dedication benefits not only the employees within the expanding MVP Group but, more importantly, the millions of Filipinos who gain from improved services and accessibility, job opportunities, and overall economic growth and prosperity.

As MVP continues to work tirelessly, his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of Filipinos remains an inspiration, embodying a legacy of dedication and service that will guide the nation’s future.