By Eva C. Visperas

 

HOW does one feel when meeting one of the country’s richest businessmen for the first time? To say super excited is an understatement.

A week earlier, after I received a formal invitation from PIO Dhobie de Guzman for a milestone event happening in Pangasinan, I hastily rescheduled my prior meetings so I wouldn’t miss this historic event unfolding in our province’s history.

The momentous event on October 19, 2023, was for the signing of the Pangasinan Link Expressway (PLEX) Joint Venture and Toll Concession Agreements between the provincial government, led by Gov. Ramon Guico III, and Mr. Ramon S. Ang (or RSA to many), the president, and chief executive officer of San Miguel Corporation (SMC).

I woke up at 4:30 a.m. on Thursday as I still wanted to do my regular one-hour fitness regimen and have a light breakfast, then drove to the majestic Sison Auditorium in Lingayen at 7:05 a.m.

While having coffee and pancit with three media ladies (SY, LY, and Yoly) at Capitol Resort Hotel, some top officials started to arrive to welcome RSA who was expected to arrive via helicopter and land at the resort compound.

Pangasinan officials and guests, mostly mayors, congressmen, bankers, businessmen, were in their business attire, but RSA was consistent in being modest in his clothes. The highly respected man sported his office attire comfortably, bearing the logo of his company and, of course, his signature cap.

In his speech, RSA spoke from his heart. Simple, brief, concise, yet heartwarming. He spoke in Filipino. It was a quick 8 minutes and 41 seconds speech, but everyone listened intently, digesting every word RSA uttered.

He narrated how close Pangasinan is to his heart, how he frequented visiting here since has his other businesses here.

But it looked like he hasn’t been to the Capitol area, as he intimated how surprised he was to see the beauty of the seat of the provincial government. He was awed at how the elegant old buildings in the Capitol were preserved.

“Parang Malacañang of Luzon,” he exclaimed.

Coming from a man who has traveled extensively to different provinces in the country and overseas, RSA was mighty proud to say that “none of them (referring to the other provinces) comes close to Pangasinan” in terms of the grandeur of its structures.

He was generous in his praises for Gov. Monmon and the other officials who made the PLEX project come to life. He said he believes in the leadership of Gov. Monmon and the great potentials of Pangasinan.

Ramon Guico III and Ramon Ang. Two Ramons, one vision.

But wait, RSA revealed another secret about how the PLEX project came to be. It was because of another Ramon. That is Ramon Guico Jr, the governor’s dad and Fifth District congressman.

“Kung hindi po sa kanilang tatay po, (referring to the congressman), wala po tayong link,” he told the crowd.

The project will cost P34 billion, but at no cost to the province, with no subsidy, no guarantee, he said. And yet, he added, SMC will give Pangasinan 70% of the profit. “Imagine, sa galing ni Gov, napa-oo ako,” he said, eliciting cheers from the crowd.

There were some naysayers too, about the project, including RSA’s own men, who said the project might not be viable, as the traffic along the PLEX phase 1 (Binalonan to Lingayen) is not very high.

But the business acumen of RSA says otherwise. He said: We build it, and they will come and use it. He has so much faith in Pangasinan, adding that he believes it is one of the most progressive provinces in Luzon.

Indeed, this PLEX is just the beginning of more beautiful things to happen in Pangasinan.

“You have my word. Gagawin ko ang lahat para suportahan ang Pangasinan,” RSA vowed.

Indeed, once a dream, now a reality. #

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