SMC chief receives highest distinction from France

HONOREE Ramon Ang receives the Legion of Honor distinction from French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz —Contributed photo

France has conferred upon San Miguel Corp. president and CEO Ramon S. Ang the highest distinction given by its government, the Legion of Honor, with the rank of Officier (Officer).

Michèle Boccoz, French Ambassador to the Philippines, conferred the honor to Ang in an event marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Ang joins a short list of Filipinos to have received the honor, including past Philippine presidents.

During the ceremony at the envoy’s residence, Boccoz thanked Ang “for the role you play as a businessman and as a philanthropist to strengthen those ties between France and the Philippines, and to promote friendship between our two peoples.”

Boccoz cited Ang’s efforts that had led to the delivery of French humanitarian aid to the Philippines.

She cited Ang’s assistance in the aftermath of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in 2013, when, as then president and COO of flag carrier Philippines Airlines (PAL), he enabled the transport of aid from France to the Philippines. Ang had instructed PAL to fly rescue workers and aid for free.

PAL was then taking delivery of a brand new Airbus jet from Tolousse, France. In coordination with Ang, Airbus and the French government were able to fill the new aircraft with food aid and medicine, as well as transport French doctors and first responders to help with the relief and recovery effort.