Doris Magsaysay Ho on how essential the shipping industry contributes to humanity

Aside from being a staunch supporter of arts and culture, Tatler Asia’s Most Influential 2022 honouree Doris Magsaysay Ho has been an indefatigable personality in the business sector

Doris Magsaysay Ho, one of Tatler Asia’s Most Influential 2022 honourees, has been at the helm of A Magsaysay, Inc for many years, bringing the company to greater heights after taking the reins from his father, Robert Ho. Although it is in a male-dominated industry, the business was carefully nurtured by her and her siblings.

Aside from this, Magsaysay Ho is also the chair of the Asia Society Philippines, a global network centre advocating a greater understanding of Asia in general and the Philippines in particular through programmes focused on art and culture policy and education. Recently, the Asia Society awarded Nanette Medved-Po in the US for her invaluable philanthropic works in the Philippines.

Recently, Magsaysay Ho invited Frances Bronet, the current president of her alma mater Pratt Institute in New York, to Metro Manila. It opened opportunities for Pratt Institute to connect with other Filipino alumni, parents of current students, and other principal institutions and businesses that make up the dynamic design industry of the country. Magsaysay Ho believes such joyous meetings and intercultural exchanges would help Filipinos find the value of certain industries in our economy and society’s development.

Above Doris Magsaysay Ho and Frances Bronet (Photo: Joseph Pascual)

What are the projects in the last two years you are most proud of? Why?

Doris Magsaysay Ho (DHO): Filipinos comprise over 25 per cent of all seafarers in the world, serving as essential professionals on merchant ships that carry over 90 per cent of food and products used by mankind. Throughout the height of the pandemic, shipping companies faced the challenge of rotating their crew, when travel stopped and borders closed. As a result, many seafarers had to work beyond their contract periods. We are proud that our private sector and government worked quickly on creating a “Green Lane” that welcomed ships to the Philippines for seafarers of all nationalities to change crew through our ports and airports.

Above Tatler Philippines Editor-in-Chief with Nanette Medved-Po and their friends at the Asia Society Game Changer Awards and Gala

What challenges do you see now in your respective industry? How do you intend to help address these challenges?

DHO: The present challenges on high freight costs faced by many businesses today were somehow brought about by labour shortages throughout the supply chain—in factories, ports, warehouses, trucks and rail into the hinterlands. We are advocating that all countries will declare seafarers and maritime workers as “essential workers” who should be given courtesy and respect for the important work they do through “Green Lanes” in ports and airports around the world. We hope the general public will appreciate the essential work that shipping contributes to humanity.

What can you say to those who would like to follow in your footsteps?

DHO: Living with purpose gives one incredible courage that comes from being an instrument of the Divine.

Above Former Bangko Sentral Governor Amado Tetangco Jnr, Asia Society Philippines chair Doris Magsaysay-Ho and former Ayala Corporation’s president and chief executive Fernando Zobel de Ayala attend the press conference on ‘Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms’ exhibit that held in New York last September 11, 2015 to January 3, 2016. (Photo: Revoli Cortez / Asia Society Museum)

Who do you look up to for guidance, inspiration or mentorship?

DHO: I am inspired by creative people who think out of the box; who are fearlessly committed; who care about leaving a positive imprint; and who embrace what comes their way with enthusiasm and a grateful heart.

What are your plans for the coming years and what keeps you going?

DHO: My dream is to paint and learn Chinese when I retire from a life in business.

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