A passion to serve

As someone who runs a company started by my grandfather and nurtured to growth by my father, I have been fortunate to see firsthand the power of business to transform lives and communities.

Growing up, I saw how my grandfather, Salvador Araneta, as secretary of Agriculture, and my father, Jose Concepcion Jr., as secretary of Trade and Industry, committed themselves to creating an environment that gave everyone in the Philippines an equal opportunity to succeed. They understood that true progress comes not just from personal gain, but from lifting up the entire nation.

Even in their lives away from politics or business, my father and my grandfather continued their passion to transform society using their talents as businessmen, as leaders, and as influencers among leaders. The gift they had as men who could lead companies to profit, they used to lead communities to achieve loftier goals like order, inclusiveness, equal opportunity, and positive change.

It was from them that I saw how fulfilling it was to be never satisfied with just running a business and creating wealth for one’s self. What drove people like them was a deep passion to serve – to help create an environment where everyone has an equal chance at succeeding.

Their dedication to public service left a lasting impression on me. They instilled in me the belief that being a business leader is about more than just running a successful company – it’s about using that platform to lift up others and contribute to the greater good.

My grandfather and my father chose the platforms where they believed they can do the most good. They became part of the Constitutional Convention to help build the policy frameworks that would favor the growth of Philippine industry. At a time when it was most difficult for Philippine companies to remain in business and employ Filipinos, they soldiered on and gave people jobs.

I’ve made it my priority to support MSMEs. They make up the vast majority of enterprises in our country and employ more than half of our fellow Filipinos. Entrepreneurship offers an alternative path to success for people who may not have the advantages of formal education or social connections to move up in