MANILA, Philippines - The Finance Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX), together with Dutch financial giant ING Bank, conferred the 2014 ING-FINEX Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Year award to Shell Philippines Exploration BV (SPEX) finance director Jeng Pascual, in a ceremony held recently at the Peninsula Manila Hotel in Makati City.
Top financial executives and highly respected finance experts selected Pascual for his excellence in four key areas: as a strategist, catalyst, operator, and steward, exemplified in his roles as finance director of SPEX, as well as in his many other roles as the country controller of the Shell companies in the Philippines, and chairman of the board of trustees of the Shell Pension Fund.
Pascual is the first ever CFO from a multinational company to be given the award. He also receives the citation on the centenary of Shell companies in the Philippines in 2014.
Pascual joins the distinguished roster of FINEX CFO awardees such as Delfin Gonzales Jr. of Globe Telecom in 2007; Sherisa Nuesa of Manila Water in 2008; Jose Sio of SM Investments Corporation in 2009; Ysmael Baysa of Jollibee Foods Corporation in 2010; Jaime Ysmael of Ayala Land in 2011; Jeffrey Lim of SM Prime Holdings in 2012; and Felipe Yalong of GMA Network in 2013.
Pascual, who graduated with honors from the University of the Philippines-Diliman with a degree in Industrial Engineering, did not expect himself to be a high-ranking official in the field of finance today.
“It was the training I received from my father during adolescence that prepared me for the challenges in the corporate world,” said Pascual as he shared the guidance of his father in facing the challenges of pursuing the path of finance given his engineering background. “‘Do more than what is expected,’ he said, ‘and be ready when the opportunity arises.’”
“As CFOs, we have been entrusted by our shareholders to grow the investments in the company. As leaders, we are expected to nurture and develop the skills and behaviors of those who will succeed us. As Filipinos, we have the duty to contribute positively to society, and make the Philippines a better place for our children. All these situations necessarily entail personal risks to achieve one’s goals. The consequences of poor performances are severe, but the rewards are great for those who succeed,” Pascual added.