To SMC at 135 — a milestone of resilience, compassion, and a continuing commitment to building a better Philippines
WHEN San Miguel Corporation celebrated its 135th anniversary this year, it was more than a commemoration of corporate endurance. It was a testament to a Filipino institution’s unmatched role in building our economy, caring for our people, and safeguarding our environment. From its beginnings in 1890 as a brewery in Manila, SMC has grown into one of Southeast Asia’s most diversified conglomerates, shaping industries and uplifting lives across the archipelago.
From Brewery to Nation-Builder
From its first brewery in San Miguel district to its present-day portfolio of food, beverages, packaging, fuel and oil, energy, and infrastructure, SMC has always stood at the intersection of commerce and community.
President and CEO Ramon S. Ang summarized this ethos: “San Miguel has never been just about business. From day one, our mission has been to make a positive difference in people’s lives — to help build a stronger Philippines.”
Catalysts of Economic Progress
Under Ang’s leadership, SMC has undertaken transformative projects that altered the country’s economic landscape:
- Infrastructure: Skyway Stage 3, TPLEX, and other expressways have brought growth to the regions, while the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan — envisioned to rival the world’s best — promises to be a game-changer for connectivity, jobs, and investments.
- Energy: Through SMC Global Power, the company is balancing energy security with investments in renewables. “We owe it to future generations to provide power that is reliable, affordable, and sustainable,” Ang emphasized.
- Food Security: Its food and beverage businesses have remained the backbone of Filipino households, ensuring supply and affordability even during crises.
Stewardship of the Environment
Equally significant are SMC’s environmental programs:
- Pasig River Rehabilitation: A bold multi-billion peso initiative that has already removed millions of tons of silt and waste. “If we can bring our rivers back to life, we can bring back life to our cities,” Ang said.
- Tullahan-Tinajeros and San Juan Rivers: Similar rehabilitation programs to mitigate flooding and restore ecosystems.
- Reforestation and Watershed Protection: From Sierra Madre to Angat, SMC is planting millions of trees, supporting the Annual Million Trees Challenge as part of its broader watershed protection efforts.
- Mangrove Rehabilitation: Shielding coastal communities through marine forest protection as well as building the Saribuhay sa Dampalit, the country’s first Biodiversity Offset Program site.
SMC Foundation: The Heart of Service
Beyond infrastructure and environment, SMC Foundation has become the heart of the company’s social mission. It has provided scholarships, healthcare, and disaster relief nationwide. During the pandemic, it mobilized billions in donations — from PPEs to vaccines and food packs — extending lifelines to countless Filipinos.
One of its most innovative undertakings is the Better World Tondo project, a feeding and learning center for some of Manila’s poorest communities. More than just providing food, the project teaches families about nutrition, while also offering education and skills training opportunities. “Better World Tondo is about giving dignity and hope. We want to show that hunger and poverty can be addressed when business and community work together,” Ang explained.
A Continuing Journey
As SMC turns 135, its vision is clear: to align growth with service and sustainability. It is not only a corporate giant, but also a social institution, deeply embedded in the nation’s fabric.
Ramon Ang captured this spirit best: “Our mission is simple — to leave behind a Philippines that is stronger, more connected, and more sustainable than the one we inherited.”
For 135 years, San Miguel Corporation has been part of the Filipino journey — powering industries, building roads and airports, cleaning rivers, planting trees, feeding the hungry, and creating opportunities where there were none.
Here’s to SMC at 135 — a milestone of resilience, compassion, and a continuing commitment to building a better Philippines.
(The author, president/chief executive officer of Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. and president/executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a non-government outfit advocating tree-planting and environmental protection, is the official biographer of President Fidel V. Ramos.)
