The Harvard OPM Leadership Awards celebrated outstanding graduates who have made a significant impact in the Philippines. The event was spearheaded by Pinky Tobiano, the founder and chairman of Harvard OPM Philippines, known for her remarkable dedication and dynamic leadership.
Tobiano has played a key role in bringing Harvard OPM Philippines to global prominence, motivating Filipinos and SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) to pursue ambitious goals and find success in the global entrepreneurial arena.
Harvard OPM Lifetime Achievement Awardee Henry Lim Bong Liong, a visionary in the rice industry, aimed to make the Philippines self-sufficient in rice production, emphasizing the transformative power of a single seed.
Rajan Uttamchandani received the Harvard OPM Award for Leadership Excellence in Finance and Business Advisory for his role as founder and CEO of Esquire Financing.
Wilson Lim, honored for Leadership Excellence, built the Abenson Group of Companies from scratch in 1970. His vision is to bring the good life to Filipino homes through nationwide retail stores offering a wide range of products, guided by the philosophy of creativity, compassion, excellence, and teamwork.
The next Leadership Excellence awardee is Chan Kok Bin. He earlier took a leap forward by opening a 50-square-meter shoe boutique in the historic street of Escolta. Today, with over 70 locations nationwide and an ever-growing following of loyal customers, CLN is the dominant Filipino fashion brand for women.
Honorary Ray Florence Reyes is a healthcare advocate and a business executive who brings his 18 years of experience in various industries to the 19th Congress as representative of Alagaan Natin Ating Kalusugan (AnaKalusugan) Party List.
The political group and non-profit organization focuses on public health and advocates for equitable healthcare for Filipinos.
The next awardee for Leadership Excellence, William Tiu Lim, has an interesting story on how he got hooked on the fishing industry. It was the charm of a lady who eventually became his wife. Five children and 12 grandchildren later, the couple’s family business is now a household name and a leading manufacturer of canned goods including Mega Sardines.
Mega Fishing Corporation (MFC) is the fishing arm of Mega Global, boasting a fleet of more than 75 vessels equipped with state-of-the-art sonar fish finders.
Harvard OPM Philippines appreciates the next Leadership Excellence awardee, Roswell Limsui, who sacrificed so much for the organization. He is the leader of New Panay Agri-Ventures Development, Inc. and RL Royal Prime Construction Company. He is a successful entrepreneur and visionary leader who has founded and led several companies in various industries.
He is also a generous philanthropist and a social innovator who has supported and initiated many projects.
Harvard OPM special award for Truth in Journalism was given to CNN Philippines senior anchor and director for news content development Rico Hizon. He is the first Filipino news anchor to work for two of the world’s most prestigious television news networks – CNBC Asia and BBC World News.
Harvard OPM special award for Leadership Excellence was given to Captain Stanley Ng Kua, a pilot. He rose from the ground up as airport crew member to becoming the president and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Philippine Airlines (PAL).
Last year, he pulled on his pilot uniform, climbed into the cockpit, and flew the aircraft with Philippine President Bongbong Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos to the ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Vibrant and special lady Pinky Tobiano has been instrumental in leading and transforming Harvard OPM Philippines into a dynamic community of leaders and learners. Tobiano’s strong and engaging personality allowed the organization to increase its engagement, enhance its visibility and strengthen its impact.
She is also an entrepreneur and runs a big veterinary, tall manufacturing facility in the country which caters to the local export market. For the past 32 years, Pinky has been a known philanthropist who consistently inspires and helps a lot of elderly and sexually abused children in the Philippines.
Also a chemist by profession, Tobiano recently formed a joint venture with Bureau Veritas, a French conglomerate testing laboratory to help a lot of Filipino chemists have a global voice.