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Man of Valor: LtC Richard Tamayo, the Epitome of Persistence
Armed with experience as a military man in the field of medicine, LtC Richard Tamayo’s story shows that persistence and hard work is key.
LtC Richard Tamayo is not a quitter. “My advice for entrepreneurs is to never give up,” he begins. “There will always be that opportunity to create value in the world.”
As a military man in the field of medicine, giving up was never a choice, to begin with. What’s more, his experience in the field is just as extensive. He currently serves as the President of Perpetual Help DALTA Medical Center, Las Pinas, Health Care Development Corporation of the Philippines, DALTA-JONELTA Foundation, and in ARTravel and Tours, Inc.
In fact, he has served multiple positions before eventually becoming President of JCI Manila in 2021 aside from also being a licensed real estate broker. What’s more, Rich also spent time at Harvard Business School, Ateneo Graduate School of Business, U.P. School of Economics, and De La Salle Santiago Zobel School.
A Story of Resilience and Recovery
Richard Tamayo’s depth of experience came very much in handy. As the pandemic raged on, it was no easy feat to be the leader of a healthcare institution, but Rich carried on with a calm and focused mind. “I essentially applied the framework of Bain and Company’s CEO Checklist focusing on 6 urgent priorities applied in the hospital setting,” he shares.
Thus, his primary responsibility was to keep employees safe, cohesive, and productive. “I set out with a clear set of priorities and implemented it with a high degree of local manager autonomy,” he continues.
As a healthcare facility, Perpetual Help Medical Center in Las Pinas (PHMC) is a teaching hospital that is part of a group of companies that encourages synergy, including the forward and backward integration of Education, Tourism, Managed Care, Construction, and Development sectors, among many others.
What’s more, they also have their own residency and fellowship programs as a benefit of being a teaching hospital. “PHMC is focused on ensuring that doctors give the best healthcare service for patients,” he explains. “[Likewise], patients get the utmost quality care. [And] because of the University, we are also able to integrate the best manpower for the hospital.”
Richard Tamayo on Giving Back
After all, Rich owes his focus and precision to extensive military experience as the 1st AFP Affiliated Reserve Medical Center (AFPARMC), AFP Reserve Command, Philippine Air Force Reservist Officer with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (0-5), Deputy Commander for Administration, 1st AFPARMC, 2007 AFP Reservist Officer of the Year, Bronze Cross Medal/Military Merit Medal/Luzon Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal/Military Civic Action Medal, Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Operation Ribbon, and Election Badge/Presidential Unit Citation Badge/Jungle Fighter Honorary Badge.
What’s more, he also has the honor of being in the Command and General Staff Course of the AFP Education Training and Doctrine Command in 1963 and a part of the Philippine Air Force, and Philippine National Police Academy (Tanglaw-Lahi Class of 1999).
In addition to making healthcare the focal point of his mission, giving back is also a major part of what Rich does. “We have the DALTA-JONELTA Foundation—established in 1987—that serves people in depressed areas of Las Pinas through Health and Education,” he shares. Moreover, the Civil-Military Operations of his reservist program through the AFP also engages in corporate social activities.
“Focusing on a core competency is important but having well-grounded finance, marketing, and organization management background is crucial,” he continues. As he currently works on preparing for a great transition into the new normal, Rich says that risks are inevitable. “There will always be risks but do not be afraid to take them. They can be calculated and mitigated but always stick to your core values as well and keep on scaling your core competency.”
Secrets to Success
His secret to success is consistent with what he already believes in. “Ultimately, it sticking to universal core values in whatever you do. Putting God number one in your life always,” he opines.
In that spirit, Rich has full confidence in knowing and managing his purpose and priorities in life—that is, by choosing to put God, family (namely his wife Hemilyn Escudero-Tamayo and his sons, Roi and Ocio), country, and friends, work, and civic activities at the center of his life.
“Since we are in the new and better normal, it’s also about managing your energy and health so you can maximize life and time,” he shares. “You should manage your time and make the most of the advances in the 4th Industrial Revolution that we are in.”
His success mottos are a reflection of his character—with the first one being a quote from the Bible: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understating; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3: 5-6).
The other one comes from Winston Churchill, which goes, “Let us, therefore, brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say: ‘This was their finest hour.’”
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