The Men Behind Calata Corporation

Joseph Calata is known as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the best performing Initial Public Offering (IPO) in the stock exchange. His 10-year-old company recently gained a market capitalization of P4.3B, making himself worth P2.62B and earning him the title of, not only the youngest CEO of a listed company, but also the youngest billionaire in the Philippines at the age of 31.

Calata Corporation is popular for its competitive strengths in terms of its comprehensive range of products, aggressive distribution strategies and established work processes. But of course, Joseph Calata is not alone as he has a team of veterans to back him up.
Benison Paul De Torres is Calata Corporation's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and chief operating officer. He has been with Calata Corporation since November 2011. He graduated from the Philippine School of Business Administration (PSBA) with a Bachelor's degree on Accountancy.  From 2004-2006, he was the auditor for Sycip, Gorres, Velayo and Co. He also assumed the position of Financial Services Manager of Prime Outsource Corporation.

Since November 25, 2011, Attorney Jose Marie Fabella served as Calata Corporation's corporate secretary. He is part owner of Fabella Law Office which specializes in the practice of corporate and securities law and is currently a corporate secretary and legal counsel to various companies. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Commerce and after passing the bar exam in 2005, he immediately engaged in the practice of law by joining several law offices as an associate lawyer.

A master's degree holder of Business Administration and Economics from Harvard Business School and Ateneo de Manila, respectively, Baltazar Endriga serves Calata Corporation as one of the directors.  He is not an amateur with handling companies, as he was president of the Meridian International College of Business, Arts and Technology.  He was also a board member of Miriam College Foundation and Management Association of the Philippines. Baltazar Endriga earned his bachelor's degree in commerce at the University of the East where he graduated as Magna Cum Laude.

Jaime Laya, who graduated as Magna Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelor's degree in accounting and ranked eighth in the 1957 CPA board exams, is also one of the directors of Calata Corporation.  He acquired his Ph.D in Financial Management at Standford University and was awarded the Doctor of Laws at Philippine Women's University and Doctor of Humanities at Mindanao State University. He holds important positions on various companies such as the Chairman of Philtrust Bank and director of GMA Network.

Former ambassador, Jose Zaide, also joined Calata Corporation's board of director since November 2011. He served as ambassador of the Philippines to France and a delegate to UNESCO. He is an awardee of the German Grand Cross as well as the Austrian Grand Cross for distinguished service. Jose Zaide received his bachelor's degree in Economics at the Ateneo de Manila University. At his spare time, he writes for Manila Bulletin's column titled "Below the Line."

George Nave, who spent 41 years as a Mechanical Engineer as well as a professor in National University, is also included as one of the board of directors for Calata Corporation. He graduated from Mapua Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineer and placed first at the Mechanical Engineer board exam in 1971. He was vice president and regional cluster director for San Miguel Purefoods Company, Inc. from 2004-2008 and was president of the Philippine Association of Feed Millers Inc. from 2002-2004.
Calata Corporation is indeed handled by veterans, and with these gentlemen under the company, it is safe to say that it is clearly in good hands.

Calata: Soil Testing Facilities to Aid Farmers

According to a study by the Population Resources Bureau that more than half of the total of poor Filipinos depends on agriculture. Most provinces are still abundant with agriculture and depend on it to fend for themselves, which is why one can say that the Philippines is an agriculture-dependent country. It is also stated that food crops, especially rice and corn, continue to be the major contributors to agriculture's gross value added and have become the major source of growth. That being said, farmers should be extra careful with their harvests.

However, recent findings show that the use of incompatible farm materials such as fertilizers have resulted to high expenses but reduced harvests for farmers. This can also lead to irreparable damage to the soil. This can be a problem not only for farmers but also to everyone since we all depend on what our farms produce.

Joseph Calata, the 31-year-old CEO of Calata Corporation, aims to help farmers solve this problem by means of a soil testing facility. This technology will help prevent farmers, specifically rice and corn farmers, from using fertilizers that are not compatible with their farms that may lead to the aforementioned problems. With this, farmers can expect to generate more savings and raise their income through wisely using their farm inputs.

This act shows that Calata is trying to show leadership on his chosen field as he tries to help others under agriculture, including farmers, by familiarizing them on how to use modern agricultural technology. This may be the first time that farmers will be exposed to such technology and would be a great help for their production. The best part about this service is not only will there be soil-testing facilities in all of Calata's stores, but also farmers can use them for free.

The 10-year-old Calata Corporation started with a traditional store and grew to become a big enterprise thanks to Joseph Calata who aimed to computerize their sales and accounting which is one of the reasons that led to the success. Recently, his company became the biggest IPO (Initial Public Offering) in the Philippine Stock Exchange with its sky-high shares that brought it to reach a market cap of P4B. It also became the biggest distributor of agricultural products in the country.

This action by Joseph Calata does not only show that he strives to be a leader in the agricultural industry for the benefit of his slowly growing company, but he also wants to do this in a way that would help other industries as well, whether they be big or small.

Joseph Calata And His Agriculture Business

Josh Calata implemented modern methods in agriculture. He is the chairman and CEO of Calata Corporation, a family owned business. He began his career in 2001, and played a big part in applying technological advancement in the agricultural industry. He created a great method in managing the farm by applying technological advancement.

In addition, this new method improved the exchange with agriculture manufacturers. Josh Calata then started earning revenues after a few years of managing the family business. Many claimed that this young businessman had no difficulties in getting his well-polished shoes in the fields just to see the farmers. Another thing that came easy for him was selling agrochemicals and other farming products. In spite of all these accomplishments, the young businessman was also interested in making his way all over the nation.

In due time, Josh Calata became one of the most recognized distributor of agriculture products in the nation. Introducing the modern method was a very wise action. He knew that applying technology will effectively help gain more sales. To build high income rates, a good and well-planned strategy program must be considered.

The advanced technique established in the farm industry gave him further success. Because of the well established methods used, the corporation became one of the world's leading company in agriculture products. To date, the company has more than 2000 employees and offers more employment. The youthful entrepreneur is also busy with other business opportunities outside the agricultural business.

The business was originally supervised by his parents. The young businessman started his way through the industry as an ordinary worker. Through this method the company became well-recognized in the farming industry. Today, the company is still growing.

Furthermore, the corporation is the supplier of many companies such as San Miguel Corporation, Bayer, and other well-known trades. The youthful entrepreneur aims to serve agriculture workers through the continuous development of food trade. Furthermore, he also has great faith in the company and promotes excellence with the belief that everything is possible.

Joseph Calata is the young business tycoon who brings technology and research to farming and agriculture industry. Which in turn created a better type of networking with agricultural suppliers and farmers.

-Alison Ward