MANILA, Philippines — The most valuable players are athletes who lead their teams to victory, but for tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan, the title also belongs to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who carry the weight of their families and the nation on their shoulders.
Pangilinan was honored with the Gintong Alon Leadership Award during the recent Philippine Association of Hong Kong charity ball, recognizing his impactful support to OFWs worldwide.
But the PLDT Group chairman could not help but shine the spotlight on Filipino workers in Hong Kong for their invaluable service and sacrifices they make for their families back home.
“I am indeed moved by a recognition such as this, coming from a place where I lived for 22 continuous years, and from people I deeply care for,” Pangilinan said during his acceptance speech.
“There may be some doubt in my heart as to whether I deserve this award over other Filipinos who have served and continue to serve here in Hong Kong, but there is no question about my pleasure and pride in receiving it,” he said.
OFW remittances reached an all-time high of $38.34 billion in 2024, up by three percent from $37.21 billion in 2023, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed.
Last year’s remittances accounted for 8.3 percent and 7.4 percent of the country’s gross domestic product and gross national income, respectively.
“The significance of these remittances goes beyond its sheer size because there is no more cost to the Philippines to earn these revenues from you (OFWs),” Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan reflected on starting his career in Hong Kong in 1976, recalling that he also once felt the struggles of living and working as a Filipino worker abroad.
“Be intimate with the dark nights of loneliness like you do, work being one’s major solace and happiness, survive illness occasionally if no one will care for you and rise above the struggles of career – that is life,” he said.
Pangilinan said, however, that his time in Hong Kong taught him to stand on his own and take full responsibility for both his life and career.
“This award tells me how much there are so many things in Hong Kong that were just not a chapter in a young man’s life, or an interview, a lifelong career, or how priceless the lessons that Hong Kong has taught me about business and about life,” the tycoon said.
Despite the struggles of working away from home, Pangilinan has encouraged OFWs to stay resilient and keep embracing their commitment with pride.
“The circumstances of your work and lives might be different from what they were when I was here, but your mission as OFWs and your commitment to your communities and to the Philippines should remain immutable and inviolate,” he said.
“Hold up to the world the Filipino greatness of heart and of spirit, of courage and compassion. You are our country’s bright lights – worthy of emulation and valued for immense contribution,” he added.
The MVP Group, through PLDT Global Corp. and MQuest Ventures Inc., partnered with flag carrier Philippine Airlines to stage the Hong Kong Festival 2025 from June 12 to 15 in celebration of the Philippines’ 127th Independence Day.
This year’s event was presented by TINBO, a one-stop digital marketplace for OFWs powered by PLDT Global. It was also sponsored by Smart Communications Inc., mWell, First Pacific Co. Ltd., Prime Credit and Pilipinas Live.
