Nov 28, 2022

Consunji to foray into agriculture 2 minute read Isidro “Sid” Consunji is the Management Association of the Philippines’ (MAP) Man of the Year for 2022. Consunji was chosen for his business acumen and managementqualities in transforming a private construction company into one of the country’s engineering conglomerates. Also in photo are MAP President Rogelio Singson (second from right); Aurelio Montinola III, chair of MAP’s Membership Committee (right); andAtty. Mike Toledo (left), head of Government Relations and Public Affairs of the Metro Pacific Investments Corp. Consunji, 73, said his family is keen on palm oil or rubber cultivation and carbon credits. “My story is nowhere near done. I think I have enough gas in the tank to start a second career. In a few years, I may just surprise all of you. With more idle time, I hope to foray into agriculture and create sustainable value in the countryside,” Consunji said in his speech during the Management Association of the Philippines event where he received his Man of the Year award. “It probably doesn’t require a lot of cash, but probably require a lot of effort and management skills and a different way of looking at things.” The initiative, he said, will be a “game changer” in Philippine agriculture and the Consunji family is committed to the effort. Consunji, however, did not give more details as plans are still in early stages of development. In his acceptance speech, Consunji admitted that when he learned that he was nominated for the MAP Management Man of the Year Award, he asked if he could be withdrawn from consideration. “I didn’t think I had done anything extraordinary to deserve the nomination. You see, Washington Sycip, Cesar Virata, Cesar Buenaventura, and my father, David Consunji, were my real-life heroes,” he said. Sycip was first given with the award in 1967, Virata in 1981, Buenaventura in 1985 and David Consunji in 1996. “Growing up, I witnessed their brilliance, passion, and love for our country. I saw how they shaped their professions, championed progress, and made life better for others. In my mind, they were in a different league altogether,” he said. “If my father was here today, I’m sure he would laugh and say, ‘Pano nangyari yan, eh kamote ka?’. Dad, wherever you are, I hope this kamote made you and Mom proud.” Consunji, a first born son and second of eight children, is a civil engineer. He graduated from the University of the Philippines but he managed to finish the five-year course in six years. “I wasn’t interested in studying so I stopped for two semesters. To earn some money, I worked in our motor pool division and logging concession,” he said. “The time I spent on the field was enlightening and formative for me. At the age of 18, I learned how to deal with difficult employees, angry suppliers and tough customers. Just as crucial, I discovered the importance of productivity, efficiency, and cash flow when running a business. In millennial parlance, I was hashtag adulting.”