As an institution that is strongly inclined towards the international curriculum, Southville strives to equip its constituents with experiences that will enable them to grow and learn as future leaders and achievers. It is for this reason that the Business Icon Chat was established; so global thought leaders like Mr. Pangilinan may share their ideas and insights for millions of students to learn from and understand what it takes to be champions in their own craft.

The school’s slogan, Facite Differentem, serves as an admonition to the Filipino youth to follow – to go and make a difference. This is what Mr. Pangilinan urged the attendees of the chat to do as young and budding businessmen and women of Southville who have the capability to change the world.

Every success story, no matter how small or large, begins with a commitment to excellence, and this commitment calls for dutiful study, solid work ethic, and a dedication to service. Mr. Pangilinan shared personal anecdotes of his youth and conveyed how pure hard work and perseverance, coupled with faith and prayer, helped him get to where he is today. Coming from a modest background, he understood at an early age that life dealt people different cards. He strived to study and work hard so that he may, too, could one day bring comfort and relief to himself and to his family.

Utilizing his talents and opportunities that came his way, Mr. Pangilian spent 22 years overseas learning his craft and discovered along the way that the true secret to success is that there really is no secret. Success, he shared, could only spring from old-fashioned values – values that are transcendent and permanent, and that can endure well beyond the context and circumstance of our time. Honesty and openness among peers, shareholders, and constituents are only a couple of the principles that ought to be at the core of every individual that strives for success in their careers.

Mr. Pangilinan challenges the youth to work towards being social and transformative leaders with the fundamental concern for growth and welfare of who are poor, especially in light of the coming elections in 2016. Filipino leaders must be able to stimulate inclusive economic growth and lift out our people from poverty, hunger, ignorance and disease. In light of the digital age, Mr, Pangilinan looks towards a near future where innovative technologies would change the way we think and the way we live so the youth – the business icons of tomorrow – can go and make a difference.