Harvard OPM (Owner/President Management Program) gave its first Leadership Awards to recognize Harvard OPM graduates who excelled and created a difference in the Philippines.

To welcome everyone to the event was the “most amazing, sparkling, dynamic woman who makes things happen and never gets tired,” Pinky Tobiano, the founder and chairman of Harvard OPM Philippines.

She never fails to be absent in all the activities. With her leadership and commitment, Pinky has brought the Harvard OPM Philippines to a global playing field, inspiring a lot of Filipinos and SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) to dream big and excel in global entrepreneurship.

Harvard OPM Philippines recognized and celebrated the outstanding achievements of the talented individuals who have set themselves apart in their respective fields.

King of teleserye themes and Prince of Pop, Erik Santos, serenaded the graduates, awardees, and other guests.  

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 Lifetime Achievement Award Henry Lim Bong Liong has elevated the country's rice industry. He believes that one seed has the power to uplift the nation. His vision was to transform the Philippines into a self-sufficient rice-producing country.

Harvard OPM Award for Leadership Excellence in Finance and Business Advisory Rajan Uttamchandani. Through his Esquire Financing, he is the founder, owner, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and chairman.

The next Leadership Excellence awardee has the vision of bringing the good life to more Filipino homes. Starting from scratch in 1970, he established and grew the Abenson Group of Companies.

Today, Wilson Lim's companies are nationwide retail stores in the Philippines established to satisfy the growing needs of the local market for home and business appliances, furniture, information technology products, and consumer goods. His business philosophy is “A Mind That Creates, A Heart That Cares, A Will That Excels, A Team That Wins.”

The next Leadership Excellence awardee is Chan Kok Bin. He 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 that 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 about 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 Mega Global's fishing arm, 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 leads 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.

Tobiano has led and transformed Harvard OPM Philippines into a dynamic community of leaders and learners. Pinky’s strong and engaging personality allowed the organization to increase its engagement, visibility, and 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, Pinky recently formed a joint venture with Bureau Veritas, a French conglomerate testing laboratory, to help many Filipino chemists have a global voice.

Harvard OPM's special award for Leadership Excellence was given to Captain Stanley Ng Kua, a pilot. He rose from the ground up as an airport crew member to become 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 with Philippine President Bongbong Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos to the ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.