Polish mathematician Antoni Zygmund is credited for saying, “Faith is like electricity. You can’t see it, but you can see its light shining on you.”
With a lot riding on the shoulders of Iloilo City’s new power distributor, MORE Power, public faith in it may yet prove to be its greatest contingent fallback at this early stage. But how exactly does one put faith in a utility company that’s been in operation barely eight months? Well, perhaps the education, achievements, and recognitions of its main driving force—Roel Z. Castro–could be a valuable gauge.
Roel, president and CEO of MORE Power, was recently cited by the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) as an Outstanding Alumnus for Corporate Governance, one of a select eight who were awarded during the 102nd UPLB Loyalty Day.
The yearly celebration dates to the year 1918 when World War I was on its fifth year in Europe and world conditions were increasingly becoming unstable. The Allies, which included the US, needed more manpower against the Central Powers. Thus, when the Government called for volunteers, the UP College of Agriculture (UPCA) readily took the opportunity.
On October 10, 1918, 193 (60%) of the total student body and 27 faculty members enlisted to serve in the Philippine National Guard to fight in one of the world’s most historic clashes.
This bravery did not go unnoticed and foremost to recognize the heroic spirit of the young men and women of the school institution was none other than then Senate President Manuel L. Quezon.
UPLB alumni, personnel, and students continue to annually observe the almost century-old tradition of Loyalty Day every Oct. 10 when they come together and break away from their usual routines. It is also a time when alumni return to UPLB to celebrate the “Los Baños spirit and for the institution to recognize the living proof of how it shapes change-makers in society.”
Although not a full-blooded Ilonggo, Roel, who has dedicated a significant period of his career in the City and Province of Iloilo, joined the October 10 awarding rites representing Iloilo as his current home province, a place which, he said, created a big impact in his life because it allows him to perform a critical role in the energy sector.
“UPLB taught me the values of excellence and honor, of which I am privileged to impart to the city and province of Iloilo. I was honored to represent Iloilo when this award was bestowed on me. I may not be an Ilonggo by birth but I am lucky to be an Ilonggo-at-heart,” he noted.
This, his most recent recognition, adds to what is already a long list of commendations, including citations from his alma mater as Distinguished Alumnus for Corporate Planning and Governance in 2017, and one of the 100 Outstanding Alumni during the Centennial Program and Grand Alumni Homecoming of the College of Economic and Management (CEM) in 2019.
Iloilo City mayor Jerry Treñas was quick to convey his congratulatory message in a virtual address https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=375431690161638, saying, “I know that your achievement will inspire you to even better the services of MORE Power, staying true to its commitment of providing excellent customer service, reliable electric service delivery, and competitive power rates for the Ilonggo community. On behalf of the Iloilo City Government, I would like to express my utmost congratulations to you for such a great recognition. I look forward to more collaborations with MORE Power in the future for Iloilo City.”
For his part, Francis Gentoral, Executive Director of the Iloilo Economic Development Foundation Inc. (ILED), summed up his well-wishes to Roel, stating, “We are always proud of the achievement of Ilonggos and non-Ilonggos like Roel Castro for supporting Iloilo’s development.”
THE PRIDE OF ILOILO
Recognized as one of Asia’s top CEOs, Roel is often described as a hands-on executive, whose affiliative leadership style amplifies the respect and admiration he gets from his peers and, perhaps more importantly, his employees. Skilled in various disciplines, he finished his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business degree at the UPLB with Best Special Problem (Thesis) Award in 1988.
He also earned his master’s in management at the Asian Institute of Management with commendation in 1997.
In addition, he attended the Advanced Management Program of the University of Asia and the Pacific and ISSE Business School, University of Navarra in Spain.
Roel’s sterling credentials and hard work have earned him the position of President and CEO at A Brown Company (ABCI), a publicly listed Philippine company that engages in real estate, infrastructure, and power generation, the last being the one that brought him to Concepcion, Iloilo.
ABCI and its joint venture company Palm Concepcion Power Corporation are responsible for the 2×135-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Northern Iloilo that has been generating electricity not only for Panay, but also Negros, Cebu, and Leyte since 2016.
Roel is, indeed, no stranger to power generation. He worked many years at the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines before joining ABCI in 2010. His expertise in project management and financial valuation management helped ABCI launch Peakpower Energy Incorporated (PEI) in 2013 to address the energy shortage in Mindanao.
PEI is credited for introducing the revolutionary build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme in the power distribution industry in the southern Philippines.
Stellar career and citations aside, though, Roel is a family man—husband to Jasmin and father to three children–who believes in balancing personal and professional growth, encouraging his employees to inject the family spirit in everything they do and as he does.
He also believes in the value of giving back, claiming it as part and parcel of his personal leadership style. He is definitely not one to credit only himself for all the successes he has attained.
Truly, Roel Castro is an Ilonggo-at-heart true-blue Ilonggos should be so happy to know is here to stay.
