By Susan Peñaranda Ledesma-Batac

A Born Leader

Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powel once said, “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.” I believe this statement sums up JOSE FORTUNATO GAMBOA LEDESMA’s journey as a man and as a leader.

Joe as he is fondly called, is the youngest of the eight children of Ramon Sr. and Oliva Ledesma. Having elder siblings all excelling in their own field of endeavors did not hold him back to build his own trail. He graduated Valedictorian from the Iloilo Central Elementary School at the same time holding the Presidency of the Student Council. He then moved on to the University of San Agustin for his Secondary and College Education.

While in High School, he held various positions in the University organizations while at the same time, extending his leadership in various Civic and Religious Organizations like the Boy Scouts of the Philippines where he became a scout in Rotary Troop No. 3 and the Columbian Squires, as the Chief Squire

Born a leader he must have been also gifted with excellent time management skills. In College, while tackling the rigors of becoming a Chemical Engineer, he was able to juggle his time to cover sports events for the Augustinian Mirror being the Sports Editor and to hold key positions in the University Student Council. He was Assistant Auditor, Business Manager, Secretary General, Executive Secretary and later was acting President.

But don’t be deceived with his frail physique. He could smash the ping pong ball with a kill and wittingly place it in a manner hard for the opponent to reach. For such acumen, as Captain of the USA Varsity Table Tennis Team, he got himself several gold and a silver medals in the National and Regional PRISAA meets.

Not only our very own USA noticed this leadership potential in him, but it stemmed to the National level of Student Organizations. The National Union of Students in the Philippines (NUSP) elected him first as Chairman of Western Visayas and later as National Vice President and eventually International Vice President. Not to be outdone was the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEG) who made him their 1966 Executive Secretary.

Among all this hustle and bustle in his life as a college student, Joe will never forget the day he became a member of the SIGMA CHI Fraternity proving once again that he could take more responsibilities and enjoy the trust of his brothers. I say trust because he was Chairman of the Board of Admissions for three years, the very position responsible for the quantity and quality of the brotherhood. Aside from this he was also the Custodian of Funds and a Vice Grand Archon. Surely, he will forever cherish the Brotherhood he gained.

Armed with all these experiences and achievements in College and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering he got out of the University walls to continue his well-prepared journey. He entered a gamut of jobs. First in the World University Service Philippines as Associate General Secretary and later joined the Pharmaceutical Industry as Medical Representative of Glaxo Philippines, Inc. and Beecham Research Laboratories. At Bristol Laboratories (Philippines), Inc., he was a Territory Manager. These experiences opened the door for him to venture to a higher Institution in the Medical field. He was taken in as Executive Assistant and Acting Administrator at the Iloilo Mission Hospital, Inc. and became the Administrator and Chief Executive Officer, the position he held for several years. Like a branch of a tree, he tried to grow and found himself Marketing Manager of Tesco Manufacturing Corporation.

After a year in the Manufacturing business, Joe realized that affiliation with a medical institution was a call that aligns with his life values. This call needed to be answered and keen as he is, he armed himself with a Certificate in Hospital Administration from the Ateneo de Manila University Graduate School of Business after completing all academic requirements (except thesis) for the degree of Master in Hospital Administration and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila). He also completed the Management Development Program (MDP) offered by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM). This is preparedness to a T.

St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) in Quezon City was lucky to be the recipient of the response to this call. He was taken in 1981 as Hospital Manager just when the institution was starting its rebuilding stage. His resiliency was tested to the full. Those were really trying years. but maybe because Joe was planted near running waters and his roots grew steadfast, he was able to survive. He became Executive Director in 1986. With a strong heart coupled with hard work, proper knowledge of the task at hand and good people around for support, he was able to pull through with flying colors. This achievement was not left unnoticed and in just a short time he was elevated to President and Chief Executive Officer of SLMC, Quezon City the position he held for sixteen years.

These were glorious years for SLMC. Slowly but surely, the institution was recognized not only here in the Philippines but also abroad as the best Medical Institution in the Philippines and the start of its branching out in different locations in the country. First was SLMC Global City whose birthing pains fell on Joe’s shoulders he being the President and CEO of the new “baby” while holding same position at the “mother” in QC. With this big task of elevating the new baby to the present stature of its mother, he again needed to dig deeper into his reserved skills, knowledge and experience and digging he did, and lo and behold the fruit of his labor now stands stout and tall for all to witness and experience.

International Business and Medical groups and even the Rotary Club were not deaf and blind to Joe’s achievements. Invitations for his participation in International Conventions, Seminars, Meetings and Trade shows came pouring in mostly coming from the United States of America, European Countries, North America and Asia. In most instances, these invitations included a request for him to be the guest or primary speaker. Not to be outdone were his alma mater in Iloilo City where he addressed the centennial graduates of the Iloilo Central Elementary School, the MU SIGMA PHIans on the 35th Anniversary of the Sorority and the 2002 college graduates of the University of San Agustin.

For all these it is not surprising to find Joe listed in “Who’s Who in the World” – Marquis 1998 to 2007 Editions; “Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare” …Marquis 2000 to 2004 Editions and “The Barons 500, Leaders of the New Century” …Barons, Who’s Who 2000 Edition. He was also named as One of the Most Outstanding Masons of the Philippines by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines, recipient of the Crusader Award from Qualibet Laboratories, CEO EXCEL Award from the International Association of Business Communicators, Philippines, Major Donor Level 1 from the Rotary International, JFC Mentor Award from Jollibee Foods Corporation and the Alumni Achievement Award in Entrepreneurship and Management from the University of San Agustin, to name a few.

Presently, he has limited his activities but still continue to find purpose and excellence in life as Second Vice Chairman of both St. Luke’s Medical Center in Global and Quezon Cities, and a member of the Board of Trustees of St. Luke’s Medical Center Foundation, Inc, and St. Paul’s Hospital of Iloilo, Inc. He still maintain his affiliations with a number of professional, civic and fraternal organizations as the Men in Transition (California), Rotary Club of Makati Central where he once served as president and presently Member of the Board of Trustees of its Foundation; International Wine and Food Society, Philippine Branch and the SIGMA CHI Fraternity of the University of San Agustin.

Even with this “lighter” load, he still holds space for everyone, always trying to have a positive response for he believes that his life journey has a purpose and his is to be able to support and serve and to find time to enjoy his magnificent collections of wine, paintings, watches and Lladro and Hermes porcelains.

This is JOSE FORTUNATO GAMBOA LEDESMA in a nutshell…. Still quiet and unassuming, but always with a well-orchestrated preparedness to leave a mark of excellence in every step he makes.