How Ramon S. Ang, The 4th Richest Man In PH, Raised His Kids: 'Wag Niyong Bibigyan Ng Malaking Baon'

"How to raise your child to not be entitled" in this day and age is more of a challenge than a question.

That's why netizens lauded Ramon S. Ang, president and chief executive officer of San Miguel Corporation, when he gave a glimpse on how he raised his eight children to be humble and to live within their means.

Being the fourth richest men in the Philippines with $3.4 billion net worth according to Forbes, netizens were delighted when he candidly talked about his parenting style in a recent interview with Anthony Taberna. 

Here are our takeaways.

Billionaire Ramon S. Ang shares parenting, money tips

1. Live within your means.

Ang shared that he has always promoted himself as someone who lives a simple life. "E tignan mo yung mga ibang tao dyan. O, nakatira na nga sa barong-barong. Nakatira na na kung saan. Naka-signature na damit. Naka-signature na bag. E may aso pang maliit. Mag-aaway na kami nun."

Taberna clarified if he upholds the same principle for his children, "Tinutukoy ko 'to especially sa mga anak ko. I do not allow them to be going around na magyabang ng kung ano-anong sinusuot at kung ano-anong dinadala."

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2. Start them young.

"Kailangan tinuturo sa mga bata na matuto ng simpleng buhay," Ang stressed. He went on to cite how he taught this lesson to his youngest son, Jacob, after graduating from college.

"Pinadala ko sa probinsya, sa Pangasinan, sa planta. Sabi ko, dyan ka magtatrabaho araw-araw. Dyan ka matutulog. Kasama mo kakain ng lunch at dinner yung lahat ng empleyado. Huwag ka makakain-kain sa labas. Dahil you are going to as if show them na hindi mo sila kapareho. Kailangan habang nandyan ka, kasama mo sila. Kung ano yung kinakain nila, kung ano yung ginagawa nila, pareho lang kayo. At yung biis mo, kailangan. Simpleng damit, t-shirt. At kung ano yung uniform doon, yun din ang susuotin mo."

"Pinalaki ko sila na meron silang laging baon papuntang eskwela, yun ang kakainin nila. At wala silang binibiling kung anong kalokohan, na borloloy. Para mas matuto." —Ramon S. Ang

He added, he also did the same to his eldest son, Paul, when he was in elementary. "Pinapadala ko yan doon sa talyer ni Mr. Cojuangco. Pinapasamahan ko yan sa mga mekaniko niya. Every summer, nandoon siya. Doon siya sumasabay kumakain ng tanghalian. Oh, eh di nasanay siya. Ang tawag niya sa mga mekaniko, kuya. Ang tawag niya sa mga tubero at electrician, kuya. Ayun, lumaki na maayos."

"Kung pinalaki mo yung mga anak mo malalaking ulo, baka makipagsuntukas sa security guard sa kalye. Pero pag pinalaki mo ng simpleng tao, ay pare, hahaba na buhay noon. Ibig sabihin noon, lumaki yan ng simpleng tao," he explained.

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3. Set an example.

Ang emphasized that parents have a significant role in shaping how their kids will grow up, ensuring they don't become entitled.

"Hindi sila lalaki ng ganon. Kailangan tayo ang magsabi sa kanila, ganon na kayo."

He then gave a practical tip to parents, "At huwag niyo bibigyan ng malaking baon. Huwag niyo rin bibigyan ng baon. Kailangan, magdala sila ng pagkain, 'yun ang baon nila sa eskwela. Huwag yung pupunta sa eskwela at kung anu-anong binibili."

"Habang buhay tayo, at habang healthy pa tayo, gawin na natin lahat ng kaya nating gawin para sa pamilya at para sa bayan natin." —Ramon S. Ang

He added, "Pinalaki ko sila na meron silang laging baon papuntang eskwela, yun ang kakainin nila. At wala silang binibiling kung anong kalokohan, na borloloy. Para mas matuto."

He quipped, "Otherwise pare, later on hindi mo na makakausap yun. Mas mayabang pa kaysa atin 'yun."

READ ALSO: Household Chores: Pinakamadaling Paraan Para Matuto Ang Bata Ng Right Values

4. Teach your kids about "pakikisama."

"Lahat ng anak ko, ang tawag sa katulong namin sa bahay, ate. Ang tawag sa lahat ng kasama namin sa bahay, driver, o mechanic, kuya. That's how I brought them up," he proudly said.

He explained that his drivers and staff have been with him for 40 years and more, showing how he's doing his best to build relationships with them.

READ ALSO: Sociable Preschoolers are More Likely to Grow Up Successful, Says Study

Ramon S. Ang's advice about spending money

As a parent, Ang shared his perspective about money and spending. He said that he doesn't have any vices and he only spends all of his time working. "Seven days a week, may trabaho ako. 'Pag namatay ako, bubuksan mo ataul ko, wala akong dadalhin."

He added, "Yung pera, hindi mo madadala. Kaya 'wag mo didiyosin ang pera. Ang pera is meant to be shared, it's meant to be used to help out our family, our people."

"Habang buhay tayo, at habang healthy pa tayo, gawin na natin lahat ng kaya nating gawin para sa pamilya at para sa bayan natin," Ang concluded.

Watch the full interview here.

A 'very hands-on dad'

In an article written by Thelma Sioson San Juan for the Inquirer in 2012, she highlighted that Ang's daughters were among the "most low-key, unassuming, yet hardworking people" she knew.

Sioson-San Juan went on to describe Ang's second child, as someone who doesn't indulge in designer brands. She noted that Cecile opts for small purses and pouches, even at work.

Cecile Ang, who also holds a position at SMC, offered insight into her father's parenting style. She mentioned, "Despite my dad’s busy schedule, for most of my life, he has never failed to call or text-message me when I’m not yet home by 9 or 10 p.m. He won’t ask me to go home, but he’ll want to know what I’m doing and whom I’m with. He is able to do this with all eight of us."

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