The Asian Institute of Management Bestows Honorary Doctorate in Management Upon Dr. Andrew L. Tan

MAKATI CITY, Philippines – The Asian Institute of Management (AIM) conferred the prestigious Honorary Doctorate in Management upon Dr. Andrew L. Tan, Chairman of Alliance Global Group, Inc. (AGI), during its Graduation Ceremony held on 06 July 2025 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Newport Boulevard, Newport City Complex, Pasay City.

In his remarks, Dr. Tan reflected on the significance of the occasion, saying, “What an inspiring moment it is today, in the heart of a world-class institution that has long been shaping the future of leadership in Asia. The Asian Institute of Management has earned its place as a hub where visionary thinking meets purposeful action, where students do not simply earn degrees but are shaped to lead, inspire, transform.”

What started as a modest wholesale trading partnership in 1977 has grown into one of the Philippines’ most influential business empires. Dr. Tan’s defining moment came early when rising whisky costs could have ended his fledgling liquor venture. Instead of retreating, he saw opportunity – launching Emperador Brandy to serve a market others had overlooked. That bold pivot didn’t just save his business; it created a global phenomenon.

Dr. Tan also shared a candid look at his entrepreneurial beginnings, “I started my liquor factory 46 years ago in a small town in La Union province. Back then, our workers would climb to the top of our big still tank and use a long bamboo pole to stir and mix the alcohol. My wife, meanwhile, was in charge of purchasing and money matters since we were just starting. Our suppliers did not want to give us credit; we had to buy everything with cash. My wife would accompany a delivery truck to go to various junk shops and buy second-hand bottles for our liquor-making. Eventually, that small factory grew to become Emperador, which is now a global company.”

From these humble beginnings in manufacturing, Dr. Tan expanded his vision—this time, into shaping cities themselves. Real estate became another arena for his strategic thinking and entrepreneurial spirit. While others built individual towers, he imagined entire communities. Eastwood City, launched in 1996, introduced Filipinos to a new way of living – where work, home, and leisure existed in harmony through what Dr. Tan established as the “live-work-play township” concept. The cyber park he pioneered didn’t just house offices; it positioned the Philippines on the global BPO map. Today, Megaworld Corporation’s 35 townships across 7,000 hectares stand as lasting testaments to his bold ingenuity.

Yet perhaps the most telling measure of Dr. Tan’s character lies in what he does with success. The Megaworld Foundation, established in 1997, has quietly transformed lives through 1,000 scholars each year, discovering opportunities they might never have had. It’s not just about writing checks—it’s about building bridges between potential and possibility for those who need them most.

Under his leadership, Alliance Global Group aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on environmental stewardship, job creation, and community development across the region.

Beyond business, Dr. Tan has also made an enduring impact on education and tourism development. In 2012, he partnered with AIM to establish the AIM Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism, which has since become a catalyst for research, capacity building, and policy support in the Philippine and regional tourism sectors. The Center has worked closely with the Department of Tourism to deliver training programs on sustainable and inclusive tourism development. It has also produced two edited volumes on sustainable tourism—one published locally, the other internationally—and continues to bring together key stakeholders through relevant platforms, such as the recent Digitalization in Tourism Forum held in June.

Dr. Tan remarked, “I am very fortunate that I was able to establish, with AIM, the AIM Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism in 2012. Today, the Center is a front leader and a catalyst for action dedicated to advancing the tourism sector in the Philippines and across Asia. I’m privileged to be able to support the Center’s programs in making a difference in tourism. I know that the graduates today are in high spirits—you all look forward to making a difference in your own way, in your own fields.”

The honorary doctorate recognizes something beyond business metrics—it honors a leader who understands that true success creates ripples, touching industries, communities, and individual lives far surpassing a balance sheet.