Laoag City— Handy Tagatac Lao, a businessperson here who became a councilor, is among the 80 persons named as the Philippines’ Empowered Men and Women of the Year for 2017.
Best Magazine publisher Richard Hiñola organized the said award. It focuses on people who made a “great impact in the lives of the people and their community making them more responsible, empowered and productive individual to society”.
The awardees come from the business sector, show business, modelling, law, fashion designer, beauty queens, medicine and other fields who are now successful in life.
Among the other awardees include Philippine actresses Vilma Santos, Aiko Melendez, Ara Mina and Gladys Reyes; film director Maryo J. Delos Reyes; Mr. International 2014 Neil Perez; models Imelda Pechera and Wilbert Tolentino; program host Ahwel Paz; entertainment reporters Mario Dumaual and Lhar Santiago; Mr. Gay World 2017 John Raspado; beauty blogger Norman Tinio; international shoemaker Jojo Bragais and events host JC Brown.
Marketing graduate
Mr. Lao graduated with a marketing degree from Centro Escolar University. He later became the chief executive officer (CEO) and president of the New Vertext Handyphones Corporation.
He used his degree to enter the world of phone loading and telecommunication business which is now trending in the field of business.
Due to his strong determination and will, his business venture expanded in Ilocos Region to cater the demands of the growing customers. He later branched out to satellite television subscription with his Cignal TV dealership.
According to Mr. Lao, he treats his employees as member of the family as he considers them as the instrument in building his business a strong foundation into becoming more successful.
“And the most important thing is I’m providing them work or employment not only for themselves but to their families as well. ‘Yun ang nagpapasaya sa akin. Yung makatulong ako sa kapwa ko by sharing what I have [with] other people,” Mr. Lao explained.
His company also received various awards for both excellence and sales achievement in the country and the region.
Politics
AS his star shone brightly in the local business world, several influential politicians in the province convinced him to try his hand in the political field.
He ran for a Laoag Sangguniang Panlungsod seat in 2016, he said due to his desire to “help and serve more people”. He finished with the third highest vote in that election.
He currently holds the committee chair for games and amusement, and corporate affairs and special projects.
As a neophyte city councilor, he said he is doing his best to better the lives of the people in the city and Laoag as a whole.
