Leo Austria
When the coronavirus pandemic boxed everyone in their own homes in March and crippled economies of even urbanized cities, San Miguel Beer head coach Leo Austria was naturally worried about his hometown of Sariaya, Quezon.
“During these times, a lot of people are struggling with their lives,” Austria said in Filipino. “A lot of my people in Sariaya are in need of jobs, especially after COVID-19 struck.”
Help, however, came in droves from a source close to a second home.
San Miguel Corp. (SMC) chief Ramon S. Ang (RSA) bankrolled several projects that benefited people of Sariaya, particularly the marginalized sector of the municipality. Among the projects included housing for informal settlers and creation of new jobs and other economic opportunities.
“That’s why I am very happy that Boss (Ang) still goes all out [helping others],” Austria said.
SMC will have Sariaya host a state-of-the-art integrated agro-industrial complex which includes a brewery, a grains terminal and feed mill, a ready-to-eat food manufacturing plant, a fuel tank farm and port facilities.
SMC has also built 450 houses for informal settlers living along the municipality’s coastline.
“Boss RSA is so admirable because while others were on the fence about helping, he kept on giving and investing.” added Austria, the three-time coach of the year has won eight championships for Ang and SMC.
“I had to leave Sariaya and take my chances in Manila when I was young because life [there] was hard. [But] now that San Miguel is here to help they would no longer need to go to Manila.” Austria said.
Don’t be surprised if Austria becomes even more motivated to lead the dynastic Beermen to another title run.