I HAD a very interesting and engaging conversation early this week with Elmer V. Catulpos, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Brigada Group of Companies, and president of the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.
It touched on several topics including his humble beginnings, how the media profession was perceived negatively in the early days of his media career, and his stark realization that the very same people who held media practitioners in a negative light had skeleton in the closet as well – which to him was more appalling, among others.
Catulpos also tackled his life philosophy starting with survival – which he did triumphantly, followed by a sense of purpose which is to provide for his family, help his siblings, serve the community and church, and then self-actualization.
I have always admired people who come from humble beginnings. The fruits of their labor are sweeter because of the sacrifice, sweat, tears, even blood, and ardent prayers that they invest in the process. They go through the crucible of fire, so to speak.
Shifting now to the talk of the town. Chatters, prattles, and even gossips are rife that the Brigada CEO is running for mayor of General Santos City. Since I had the privilege of meeting him exclusively, I had to ask the question directly. His answer was equally interesting: He is hoping that former Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio will run for mayor in General Santos City although he has already obtained the go-signal of my former boss, former General Santos City Mayor Adelbert W. Antonino to run for the city’s top post.
As a media practitioner turned entrepreneur who eventually created and continues to grow a media conglomerate, his story is inspiring and like many entrepreneurs and business owners who started and expanded their businesses in the city, he calls the city a “melting pot” of opportunity and enthused: “I have so much to thank the city for.”
Momentarily, he has his eyes fixed on building a complex on a 12-hectare property and opening 110 more radio stations and TV stations in about seventy areas.
With all these, he thinks that “politics is a detour,” hence, his desire for the younger Antonino to run for mayor again.
On the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly on the issue of health vis-à-vis economy, he believes that local government leaders should contemplate a wholistic response that integrates supply chain management because “we operate in an ecosystem”, he stressed. Simply put, a knee-jerk reaction to a spike in COVID-19 cases is not helpful to the economy if the entire “ecosystem” is not considered in the decision-making process. Hence, the opposing positions of the business sector and the local government unit these past couple of months.
He laments the lack of in-depth articles and stories that report on the business trends in the city. Catulpos said “experts should be hired to provide the right analysis based on data since this will accurately illustrate the city’s business health or status.”
He believes that it’s not impossible to model Singapore for the city since the former is also a melting pot of races. “Lee Kuan Yew meticulously prepared and implemented the right and proper plan for Singapore,” and coupled with a disciplined people, “look at where Singapore is now!” He believes that to do this, there is a need to “redesign GenSan for economic activity.”
Catulpos indeed has an inspiring vision for the city, but this can only be actualized if he takes a step forward. At one point or another, everyone finds himself on a crossroads. He is on a crossroads right now. He believes though that “amidst the chorus of voices, that gentle voice will eventually tell him what to do.”
Momentarily, he is hoping and convincing former Mayor Darlene Antonino to run for the top post in the city and gives himself until December 2021 to make the final decision.
Thus, by then, the anchored ship is ready to sail, and the crossroads passed over.
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Food for Thought
I would like to surround myself with people who are not “yes men” all the time. – Elmer V. Catulpos
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Writer can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie/PN
