In telco and tech, speed and innovation often define success. But for the executives behind PLDT and Smart Communications, leadership is anchored in something more enduring: the lessons learned from their fathers.
This Father’s Day, they reflect on the values that shaped them early on and continue to influence how they lead, decide, and connect, both at work and at home.
Centered on faith and values
For PLDT COO Butch Jimenez, the most important lesson from his dad is modeling one's values, which has influenced his leadership style. "I make it a point that people see the values I believe in. While it is a cliche, I try my best to "walk the walk and not just talk the talk."
He shared that his family's Christian heritage — stemming from his great grandmother — has been passed on up to his children's generation. "To whom much is given, much is required — this is the same value I live by from God's playbook," he said.
Integrity that endures
For PLDT SVP and Home Business Head John Y. Palanca, leadership begins with integrity—an idea instilled long before his professional life.
“My father taught me that success means little if you lose your integrity along the way. He believed that doing what is right, even when it is not easy, builds lasting respect and trust, and showed me that reputation is earned over a lifetime and can be lost in a moment.”
That principle remains central to Palanca’s leadership style today. “It has shaped me to lead with empathy and accountability. In business, difficult decisions are inevitable, but I believe people will follow you if they know your decisions are grounded in fairness, honesty, and a genuine concern for others,” the executive added.
Even in a fast-changing digital landscape, Palanca underscores the importance of values that last. “I hope to pass on resilience, ‘street-smarts’, curiosity, and strong values. Technology will continue to evolve, but character, empathy, and the ability to adapt will always remain important and can only be learned in real-world situations.”
Leadership through example
For Smart co-OIC and FVP Lloyd R. Manaloto, the most powerful lessons weren’t taught, they were lived.
“My father was my role model. He's a self-made man who got to where he is in life through hard work and making a bet on a new medical technology in the early ‘80s. As a role model, the lesson he imparted was not through some cheesy quote or life lesson but rather a life of values which I emulated.”
His father’s work ethic and curiosity left a lasting imprint. “I did not follow in his footsteps as my life took on a different path away from the medical field, but the roll-up-your-sleeves attitude and inquisitive mind definitely rubbed off on me.”
Those traits now define how he leads teams in a dynamic industry. “When we're young, we think of leaders as charismatic generals. In real life, I suppose people actually gravitate to authenticity of values: nothing is more honest than working hard alongside someone else who is working as hard as you or harder than you. Nothing is as rewarding as finding out your leader is learning along with you. Nothing delivers security than realizing that you have someone who has your back no matter what.”
He extends this belief to brand-building, emphasizing consistency through change. “Be true to your core (values). I've always said, the success of the TNT brand is a function of the brand being true to its core values in 1999 until now. By being true to our values, we create this foundation of authenticity that allows to deliver our ‘saya’ services despite the shifts in technology.”
Yet, he admits, staying present at home requires just as much discipline. “When I'm at work, I'm focused on the demands of work. When I'm with my family, I'm mindful that I'm present and not just physically with my family. This is actually more difficult. Being mindful while being with family is a conscious effort. You can’t fake the smile on your children’s faces. The photos of core memories are priceless.”
The weight of a name
For PLDT SVP and Enterprise Business Head Blums S. Pineda, leadership is defined by reputation and legacy.
“My father Patricio Pineda Jr., and my grandfather Patricio Pineda Sr. both taught me about the importance of a man’s name, his reputation, his integrity, what he stood for, and that you need to protect it.”
That sense of responsibility shapes how he approaches decision-making. “It has forced me to think hard about words and actions and their consequences. Especially for hard decisions - what’s fair and right, not only in the short term but also for the long term. And the quality of leadership is more about how one makes the hard decisions, not the easy ones.”
In an age of visibility and metrics, he challenges conventional markers of success. “In this day and age, it’s got to be more than your IG followers. It's about how you are contributing to others, contributing to society, being positive and engaged and proactive — whether in a big or small way.”
As a descendant of a Filipino hero, he also draws from a deeper legacy of sacrifice. “I am, of course, very proud to be the great, great grandson of Marcelo H. Del Pilar. In a way, that’s also the leadership lesson for me, that leadership is about sacrifice, about dedication.”
Where leadership begins
Across these leaders, one truth stands out: leadership does not begin in the office—it begins at home and in the connections that one builds.
“We have to put in the effort to connect, and to connect as deeply as you can, as often as you can, so make the time. And having the right balance has helped me lead better and perform better. They go hand in hand,” said Pineda.
For Manaloto, his advice to fathers navigating the constantly changing world is to stay grounded. “Fatherhood is not easy, but being real, present and engaged makes life worth living.”
Palanca shared the same sentiment. “[Fatherhood] requires intentional effort. Being a father is not about being available every minute; it is about being available when it matters most. Small, consistent moments—family dinners, meaningful conversations, and simply listening—often have the biggest impact.”
To fathers navigating the demands of leadership and family life, Jimenez offered grounded advice: "There will be times you will have to focus more on work, times where you will have to focus more on home. You need God's guidance to know when. But when in doubt, the norm for me is family first."
In a business driven by connectivity, these leaders show that the most enduring connections are still human — built on trust, character, and presence.
Because before they led organizations, they were shaped at home.
And their first leadership lessons came from dad.
