SIXTY-NINE-year-old Oscar S. Reyes has been working hard for half a century now. During those 50 years, Reyes had stints in the country’s top corporations here and abroad, yet, he remained simple, humble and dedicated to his craft.
Success came to him early when he was offered a job at the Private Development Corp. of the Philippines after finishing a degree in Economics at the Ateneo de Manila University. “I was quite fortunate because I finished college at 18 and immediately joined a leading financial institution. I started from the ground level and did all of the basics of business. I got involved in market research and, at the same time, exposed to different companies. I did project development and financing for four-and-a-half years,” Reyes said.
At the same time, Reyes said his craft for such was honed after he chanced upon an opportunity to study in Japan and Canada, where discipline and value mattered most.
“I got two different grants. One was from the Asian Productivity Organizations in Japan, where I was trained for business management consultancy. Shortly after that I trained in Canada, for international business,” he recalled.
These all happened from 1965 to 1970.
His next job—as a consultant at the National Steel Corp.—further gave him the confidence to pursue a career in managing a business.
Peaking at 25
AT 25, his career was at its peak. He recalled having spent 12 years holding key executive positions in the Philippine Petroleum Corp. (PPC) from 1971 to 1983 before joining Shell.
“It all started when Chris Monsod brought me to this place. I was introduced to someone who, it turned out, was the son of Geny Lopez. It all happened in one hour. There was no further discussion. I got a job at PPC right away,” Reyes said with a big grin on his face.
It was during those 12 years when he got to put to good use all that he learned early on. The experience was fulfilling yet challenging because the country was placed under martial law then.
“It was a challenging time to launch a business because it was martial law at that time. You know, the government and the Lopezes were not exactly the best of friends. But with such great mentors by my side, I was able to survive the very tough times,” he said.
Reyes credits his tenacity and success to three influential mentors—Christisn Monsod, Jose “Ping” de Jesus and Cesar Buenaventura. He said they are keen observers who exuded confidence, some of the most important qualities that make them strong leaders.
“They taught me how to survive and accomplish the missions, amid a very tough environment due to martial law. It’s not so much by telling me what I should do but more on how to arrive at a decision. I remember we were working for up to 16 hours a day. The rigid training and discipline are what kept me going. And I enjoyed doing these,” Reyes recalled.
Eventually, Reyes became PPC’s executive vice president and general manager from 1983 to 1985.
A year later Reyes joined Shell and stayed on with the company for 20 years. He served various top positions: general manager, vice president and country chairman.
Now, Reyes is the president and CEO of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s largest power-distribution firm. He joined Meralco in July 2010, as the utility firm’s COO, before being promoted.
‘Not my ambition’
AS a kid, Reyes said he wanted to be a fireman. “I got attracted to sirens at age 4 or 5. It was not really my ambition to be where I am now,” he said, adding that he was not fond of reading books.
“I don’t read books. I don’t enjoy reading long books, but I make it a point to be updated in current events.”
Reyes, a board member of 104 entities in 13 different organizations across 20 different industries—and yet not a book lover—is thankful for the people he had worked with over the years. “They had confidence in me. You just have to know what you want to achieve. I did. I accomplished it and I delivered,” he said.
Describing how the working environment was compared to now, Reyes uttered the obvious: technological progress. “I think the workplace was different in terms of tools. The level of technology has drastically improved. Work is done a lot faster now.”
Based on his observation, however, the skills of a great worker—be he an employee or employer—remains intact.
“The way you interface and run a company remains essentially the same. You still have to deal with customers, shareholders, business partners and investors the same way we did back then.
“I still read and go over reports. I still execute plans and programs. The principles of doing business did not change. These were only improved for the better,” he said.
Passion for excellence
WHEN asked what is the best advice he can give to the young generation, Reyes cited three: Love and enjoy what you are doing; always create value; and have the passion for excellence.
“I did not aspire for any particular position. All I wanted is to do my best; and I did, and so the people around took notice of me. Promotions and compensation came after,” he said.
All these years, work for him is still challenging. There is no stopping Reyes, or OSR as he is called, from leading Meralco or any other top firms in the future should he decide to move on.
When asked if he has plans to retire soon, Reyes said retirement is inevitable. But, for now, Reyes said he feels he has a 25-year-old’s health, mind and spirit still.
“I was surrounded with such great mentors who were good influences. That made a lot of difference. Until now, I am surrounded with those kinds of people.”
He said, “My principle in life is simple: Be happy with what you do so that you can continue to enjoy what you do. And, in the process, create value in what you do.”