ESPRESSO MORNINGS

By Joe Zaldarriaga

Mr. Joe Zaldarriaga, fondly called “Manong Joe”, is a distinguished figure in the country’s corporate communications landscape. Holding the position of Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications at Manila Electric Company (Meralco), he has orchestrated unparalleled success for the utility company, winning accolades for their brand of service communications.
He was the architect behind Meralco’s most celebrated milestones in the field of communications— steering the company to five-time Company of the Year honors at the Philippine Quill Awards and leading the only PR team ever named Team of the Year in the history of the Anvil Awards.
Manong Joe’s leadership also extends as a respected member of the Board of Trustees for the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), concurrent with his role as Chairman of the International Association of Business Communicators Philippines (IABC Philippines) where he also served as its President.
Manong Joe is a distinguished awardee of the medallion of honor and scroll of commendation from the University of Manila, owing to his years in public service as a communications professional. He shares his insights through columns in renowned publications, including The Philippine Star’s The Z Factor, and Philippine News Agency’s ESPRESSO MORNINGS.

Last week, I had the privilege to sit down with my boss, Mr. Manuel V. Pangilinan or MVP as we call him, for a rare one-on-one interview on his current thoughts about business, leadership, and the role of the private sector in nation-building today.

As someone who has worked within the MVP Group for more than a decade, I’ve come to believe that in a country like ours—where natural challenges such as climate change persist, and corruption repeatedly threatens growth and progress—business is more than just about profits. It must be a force for good and a committed partner in nation-building.

I was reminded again of this truth during my conversation with MVP. “At the end of the day,” he said, “you have to ask yourself, why are you doing all of this in business? It’s to benefit your shareholders, your employees, the communities you serve… and it’s all part of a nation-building process.”

That’s not just rhetoric. It’s a mindset that is constantly in action within the MVP Group. We all need to live that.

While he steers clear of the political spotlight, MVP has shown through the contributions of the companies he leads, how the private sector can be a tool for progress, and a vehicle to uplift the lives of Filipinos.

But MVP is also painfully aware of the challenges we face today. I asked his thoughts about the headlines on corruption and what role should the private sector play in today’s difficult landscape.

“It’s one of the toughest environments I’ve seen,” he admitted. And yet, his response is not to retreat but to keep on pushing forward. “The natural tendency is to hold back and just keep doing your business, but I think that would be a disservice to our people and to the government.”

This is a call to action for the private sector. In the face of corruption and uncertainty, the private sector should remain resilient and continue to help uplift our country. MVP’s message is clear: “Businesses should continue investing, creating more jobs.”

I’ve seen firsthand how the companies he leads—Meralco, PLDT, Metro Pacific, Maynilad among others—have transformed lives not just through services and products but through employment, education, and community support.

“Jobs are the best solution to poverty,” MVP said. And he’s right. Every job created is an opportunity for Filipinos to bring food to the table, help the economy grow, and improve the overall quality of life.

So how can the private sector further drive national development? MVP’s answer is clear: businesses should continue to invest boldly, and serve inclusively. That means investing in underserved regions, modernizing infrastructure, empowering local, and creating jobs that empower not just employ.

From keeping the lights on for millions of homes to ensuring that water flows from taps, the main business of the MVP Group has always been nation-building through the delivery of goods and services.

“You have to take into account what our people need,” MVP said, “I just really hope that the Corporations that belong to the Group will really perform to their best, all of them, without exception. I think that’s the best way to help this country.”

As someone who has worked under his leadership, I’ve seen firsthand how values like honesty, discipline, and resilience are not just preached—they’re practiced. “My father was very strict, especially about honesty,” he shared. “Those are the values I inherited.”

In today’s landscape, where headlines are filled with corruption and excess, these values are more important than ever. MVP’s thoughts are more than a sentiment—it’s a call to action. To serve, to lead with integrity, and to build a nation we can be proud of.

Because as he reminds us, “This is the only country we have.”