MANILA, Philippines — The Spanish government, through the Spanish embassy in Manila, honored tycoon Andrew Tan with the Encomienda de Numero de la Orden del Merito Civil (Commander by Number Grade of the Spanish Order of Civil Merit) at the Spanish ambassador’s residence in Forbes Park, Makati City last Tuesday night.
The civil merit award, established in 1926 by King Alfonso XIII of Spain, recognizes “the civic virtue of officers in the service of the Nation, as well as extraordinary service by Spanish and foreign citizens for the benefit of Spain.”
Spanish Ambassador Luis Calvo, who pinned the decoration on Tan, noted the tycoon’s valuable contributions and support to the programs and activities of the Spanish government, both in the Philippines and in Spain.
“With his many entrepreneurial activities and initiatives, Mr. Tan epitomizes the recent business and economic history of the Philippines, the country that has become one of the key players in the region,” said Calvo.
The decoration and recognition ceremony was short and sweet, but it has become so memorable for Tan who, in his acceptance speech, urged Spanish businessmen to also come and invest in the Philippines.
“Through this award, it is my wish to inspire and help bring Spanish businessmen to the Philippines to also invest here, especially in our booming tourism and infrastructure industry,” Tan said.
Tan says Spain can bring its expertise to help boost the country’s tourism industry.
“Spain has always been very strong in the tourism business. Last year alone, around 82 million tourists visited Spain. Their number of tourist arrivals is almost double their population,” explained Tan.
Tan, who chairs Alliance Global Group, one of the country’s largest and most successful conglomerates, has been doing business with Spain for the last 30 years.
One of his companies, Emperador, which has become the world’s largest brandy producer, bought Spain’s oldest and largest brandy company, Fundador, two years ago. It also owns over a thousand hectares of vineyards in Toledo and Jerez.
Tan also has investments in real estate in the capital city of Madrid. He now owns one of Madrid’s most iconic skyscrapers, the 57-story Torre Espacio, which houses Emperador’s headquarters in Spain.