“It’s better to be the head of a cat than the tail of a lion,” says Dr. Elvira de Leon Andres Andaman, 71. When Elvira’s husband, Dr. Potenciano Anico Andaman, also 71, finished his surgery training decades ago, Veterans Memorial Hospital had wanted him to head the outpatient department.
“What would you choose?” asks Elvira. “To be an employee in an established hospital or to start your own small hospital?”
After Elvira finished her obstetrics-gynecological training, she and her husband put up a maternity and surgical clinic in Lucena City in 1978, close to the apartment they and their six children were renting at that time. Their first bank loan of P15,000 was spent on an operating table.
“We should never be totally satisfied with the status quo,” says Potenciano. “We need to plan for the future so we can improve existing businesses. Early on, we had already dreamed of having a big hospital, and we worked hard to fulfill that dream.”
A few years later, the Andamans acquired a nearby property, which would eventually become the site of what is now the St. Anne General Hospital.
Love of Medicine
The couple graduated from Far Eastern University College of Medicine, which became the alma mater to the two eldest: Dr. Anna Andaman Villanueva, 43; and Dr. Jane Andaman Villaseñor, 42. Two other children also entered the medical field, courtesy of De La Salle University-Dasmariñas: Dr. Jasmin Andaman Garcia, 37; and Dr. Caroline Andaman, 35.
“In terms of profession, the priest is the most respected,” says Elvira. “A doctor comes second. Being a doctor means that you have money and brains.”
Doctors are held in such high esteem that “in my experience, if they enter business aside from practicing medicine, people tend to believe in doctors,” says Potenciano. “We have our reputation to protect. People know we are honest in dealing with our patients, so they trust that we are also honest in dealing with our business partners and clients.”
However, most doctors do not want to venture into business. Why not?
“Doctors usually have their own comfort zones,” says Potenciano. “After medical school, they go to specializations, then they set up their clinics. As time goes by, they earn enough to build a house, buy cars, educate their children.”
Once well-ensconced, “most doctors do not think about going into another profession. Their interests revolve around their inner circle. Going into business is seen as too risky.”
Elvira says, “Doctors do not want to lose their hard-earned money. Takot silang malugi at ayaw nilang isugal sa negosyo (They don’t want to go bankrupt, which is why they don’t go into business).”
Working Together
Through the years, the Andamans have continued practicing medicine, while at the same time growing their family business. Aside from health, they are also into finance, education, real estate, retail.
Potenciano has such foresight that despite the family’s love for medicine, he was able to convince the third child, Jade Andaman Recio, 40, to veer away from that field. Jade studied management engineering at Ateneo de Manila University, and knowing that family businesses need good lawyers, she became a Juris Doctor at Ateneo School of Law.
“When we were growing up, the clinic and the hospital became our second home. We all wanted to be doctors. But when Papa told me that we needed to study how to manage our business, it made sense. I am the only one who did not enter medical school, but I don’t regret it,” says Jade.
Aside from lawyers, family businesses also need good accountants. Caroline, the next in line after Jade, finished accountancy at the University of Santo Tomas, but her desire to enter medicine was so great that she returned to the family profession right after.
In line with the family’s growing business interests, the youngest child, Gregorio Andaman III, 34, finished Hotel and Restaurant Management at St. Anne College. He also did a stint in medical school.
The siblings work together in the diverse family businesses. Family bonds remain strong.
Next week: Andaman family values
Queena N. Lee-Chua is on the board of directors of the Ateneo de Manila University’s Family Business Development Center. Get her book “Successful Family Businesses” at the University Press (e-mail msanagustin@ateneo.edu). E-mail the author at blessbook.chua@gmail.com.