Manuel “Bobby” M. Orig | December 2016
I am [proud] that through the years, the Aboitiz group has been consistently setting the conditions that allow employees to contribute, grow and prosper with the company.
As of this December 2016, I will be completing 47 years of service with the Aboitiz Group. I think I can lay claim to the distinction as one of the longest-serving employees in the group.
I have had the good fortune of being engaged by six companies in the Aboitiz group and the honor of being retired three times.
My proudest moment was being recognized in 2004 as the honoree of the Don Ramon Aboitiz Award of Excellence or DRAAE.
One of my flattering memories is a customer survey where one of the questions asked was: “Do you know who owns Davao Light?” Owing to my being seen as the face of the company for many years, a few customers were misled and answered Bobby Orig.
Some people ask me why I have lasted this long with the company.
I am actually guided by three simple tenets in my work:
One is, I always learn to love what I do.
Two is, I always strive to help make the people I work for and work with, to become effective.
Three is I always bear in mind that, in the end, what is expected of me is to help obtain solutions for the company and provide solutions in behalf of the company.
I would like to believe that these simple tenets have been key to my long years of service with Aboitiz.
I consider my hiring in July 1969 auspicious as it was also the year when Jon Ramon Aboitiz joined the company. I had the good fortune of seeing JRA and, subsequently, his successor Montxu Aboitiz, together with Tony Moraza, redefine the way we do business, led us into the global, high-tech marketplace, and transformed Aboitiz from its humble beginnings to where it is today, a powerhouse conglomerate.
I am extremely proud to see that through the years, the Aboitiz group has made fairness, integrity, and prudent management the ethical compass of our organization.
One of my flattering memories is a customer survey where one of the questions asked was: “Do you know who owns Davao Light?” Owing to my being seen as the face of the company for many years, a few customers were misled and answered Bobby Orig.
For example and for the benefit of those who are not in the know, in 1979 after Davao was finally connected to the Mindanao Grid, some influential politicians and civil society groups demanded that Davao Light stop operating and maintaining the standby Bajada Power Plant on the ground that it is no longer needed and therefore electricity rates should be reduced. But the late Ernie Aboitiz refused and stood his ground because he believed that moving forward, the plant will be crucial in meeting the electricity needs of Davao. Ernie’s prudence was well founded because for many years the plant saved the franchise areas of Davao Light from frequent and long brownouts that have bedeviled many parts of Mindanao.
Another shining example. In 2009, Davao light, through Jimmy Aboitiz, made the difficult and unpopular decision of discontinuing and monetizing the electricity subsidy benefit that was granted before to employees. In the face of the worsening energy crises, the company believed that this was the right thing to do. The company had to stand in solidarity with the community in conserving the use of electricity. In the end, I am confident that our team members understood the compelling reasons behind this decision.
Today, I believe that the Aboitiz brand promise of passion for better ways resonates with the public because it has a strong ethical foundation.
I am equally proud that through the years, the Aboitiz group has been consistently setting the conditions that allow employees to contribute, grow and prosper with the company.
I would like to express my profound gratitude to those who have trusted and given me the opportunity to grow with the company, namely: Jon Aboitiz, Montxu Aboitiz, Tony Moraza, and the late Ernie Aboitiz and Al Aboitiz. And to Romy Ronquillo, who, in 1976, arranged my transfer from Aboitiz & Company to become the assistant resident manager of Davao Light.
I am eternally grateful to all my co-workers and colleagues for their trust and sincerity. In a big way, my working stint with Aboitiz has been fulfilling and meaningful because they were always there when I needed their support, guidance, and cooperation.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to my wife Joy for her unwavering patience and support.
Let me end by quoting Peter Pan, “Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away, and going away means forgetting.” So instead of saying goodbye, I would like to address all my co-workers and colleagues. I urge you to make the most out of every opportunity and challenge that comes your way because that is how you can find your passion to make a meaningful difference for yourself and for your organization.
Mabuhay kayong lahat and may God bless you always.