Top Government Officials and Business Leaders Share Heartwarming Tributes to Their Fathers

A Celebration of Fathers

Top government officials and business leaders from around the country have spoken about the invaluable lessons they learned from their fathers.

The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences is that these influential individuals credit their dads for shaping them into the leaders they are today.

The government officials in question are notable for their high-profile roles in shaping the country's economy and policies. They include top executives from prominent corporations, who credit their dads for the values that have guided them throughout their careers.

Growing up, my father was a major influence in my life and career. He pushed me to pursue my dreams and goals early on in my life.

He told me to make the most and the best out of my life, so I live a life of no regrets, but to make sure to set boundaries.

Being the eldest in the family, my father was very strict as he reminded me that I needed to set the example for all my siblings to follow.

He often told me that I had to get good grades, as this was all he could give me, and that I would benefit from this in the end.

He also taught me to be focused and disciplined as this was the only way I could succeed in this life.

He told me that I have to trust and to obey, as he was only concerned about my best interest.

He would constantly remind me that I needed to be compassionate and caring in my ways.

He also told me to be brave enough to take a chance—if I win, then it is good, but if I lose, I’m still a winner because of all the lessons that I will learn along the way.

He was very patient with me and would explain to me when I had a lot of questions and when I needed to know more about life.

Oftentimes, he would tell me that I would only be able to understand things when I get older or when the time comes.

Looking back, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. I am grateful for the love, the lessons and the sacrifice that he has given me all these years and I am blessed and honored to have a father like him.

My family has a long history in business and banking and growing up, I saw firsthand the values that helped build institutions that stood the test of time.

My father taught me that success is earned through hard work, perseverance, integrity and a long-term perspective.

More importantly, he taught me that trust is your most valuable asset. Relationships, reputation and credibility take years to build and must be protected all the time.

These lessons guided me throughout my career in banking and continue to shape my leadership today. They also resonate strongly with SM’s culture.

Like my father, SM believes in creating opportunities, honoring commitments and building for the long term. At the heart of both is a simple principle: sustainable success is achieved when the people and communities around you grow with you.

Despite coming from a family with a long business heritage, he remained humble, grounded and deeply respectful of others. He taught me to stay curious, recognize opportunities and never lose sight of the people behind every business decision.

He also believed that success comes with responsibility and that businesses should create value not only for shareholders, but also for employees, customers, partners and communities.

Looking back, many of the values he lived by are reflected in SM today: integrity, stewardship, service and a commitment to creating opportunities for others.

His example taught me that leadership is not about personal achievement, but about earning trust, helping others succeed and leaving things better than you found them.

One of the most important lessons my father, Andrew, taught me is that success is not entirely self-made.

We all work hard, make sacrifices and persevere, but along the way, we are helped by people, given opportunities and blessed in ways we often take for granted.


Never forget the people who helped you; never take your blessings for granted and never lose your humility.

The more successful we become, the more grateful we should be—because success is not just a product of our own efforts, but also of God’s grace and the generosity of others.

He is special because he is kind to all and he has good heart.

He is also very charming and generous to his family and friends and a very persuasive and inspirational mentor.

My dad (Bobby Aboitiz) had a philosophy he coined: the bugsay philosophy. Bugsay is the Cebuano word for paddle.

The message behind this was that as you grow into a leader, remember that leadership is not about giving directions from the shore—it is about picking up the paddle yourself and setting the example for others.

Have a clear purpose, make thoughtful plans and work with determination, but always stay humble enough to adjust when circumstances change. Most importantly, understand that success is never achieved alone.

The best leaders help others find their own paddle, align their efforts toward a shared destination and inspire them to keep moving

### Key Facts

• Several top government officials and business leaders have spoken about the invaluable lessons they learned from their fathers.
• These individuals credit their dads for shaping them into the leaders they are today.
• Growing up, my father's father was a major influence in my life and career. He pushed me to pursue my dreams and goals early on in my life.
• He told me to make the most and the best out of my life, so I live a life of no regrets, but to make sure to set boundaries.
• Being the eldest in the family, my father was very strict as he reminded me that I needed to set the example for all my siblings to follow.
• He often told me that I had to get good grades, as this was all he could give me, and that I would benefit from this in the end.
• He also taught me to be focused and disciplined as this was the only way I could succeed in this life.
• He told me that I have to trust and to obey, as he was only concerned about my best interest.
• He would constantly remind me that I needed to be compassionate and caring in my ways.
• He also told me to be brave enough to take a chance—if I win, then it is good, but if I lose, I’m still a winner because of all the lessons that I will learn along the way.
• He was very patient with me and would explain to me when I had a lot of questions and when I needed to know more about life.
• Oftentimes, he would tell me that I would only be able to understand things when I get older or when the time comes.
• Looking back, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. I am grateful for the love, the lessons and the sacrifice that he has given me all these years and I am blessed and honored to have a father like him.
• My family has a long history in business and banking and growing up, I saw firsthand the values that helped build institutions that stood the test of time.
• My father taught me that success is earned through hard work, perseverance, integrity and a long-term perspective.
• More importantly, he taught me that trust is your most valuable asset. Relationships, reputation and credibility take years to build and must be protected all the time.
• These lessons guided me throughout my career in banking and continue to shape my leadership today. They also resonate strongly with SM’s culture.
• Like my father, SM believes in creating opportunities, honoring commitments and building for the long term. At the heart of both is a simple principle: sustainable success is achieved when the people and communities around you grow with you.
• Despite coming from a family with a long business heritage, he remained humble, grounded and deeply respectful of others. He taught me to stay curious, recognize opportunities and never lose sight of the people behind every business decision.
• He also believed that success comes with responsibility and that businesses should create value not only for shareholders, but also for employees, customers, partners and communities.
• Looking back, many of the values he lived by are reflected in SM today: integrity, stewardship, service and a commitment to creating opportunities for others.
• His example taught me that leadership is not about personal achievement, but about earning trust, helping others succeed and leaving things better than you found them.
• One of the most important lessons my father, Andrew, taught me is that success is not entirely self-made.
• We all work hard, make sacrifices and persevere, but along the way, we are helped by people, given opportunities and blessed in ways we often take for granted.
• Never forget the people who helped you; never take your blessings for granted and never lose your humility.
• The more successful we become, the more grateful we should be—because success is not just a product of our own efforts, but also of God’s grace and the generosity of others.
• He is special because he is kind to all and he has good heart.
• He is also very charming and generous to his family and friends and a very persuasive and inspirational mentor.
• My dad (Bobby Aboitiz) had a philosophy he coined: the bugsay philosophy. Bugsay is the Cebuano word for paddle.
• The message behind this was that as you grow into a leader, remember that leadership is not about giving directions from the shore—it is about picking up the paddle yourself and setting the example for others.
• Have a clear purpose, make thoughtful plans and work with determination, but always stay humble enough to adjust when circumstances change. Most importantly, understand that success is never achieved alone.
• The best leaders help others find their own paddle, align their efforts toward a shared destination and inspire them to keep moving