L egacy is not merely about wealth or assets—it is about intentional leadership, stewardship, and values passed through generations. On June 6, 2025, the Legacy in Action: A Family Forum on Leadership, Succession, and Strategic Renewal brought together prominent founders and second-generation leaders at the Marco Polo Ortigas Manila for an exclusive gathering aimed at redefining how family businesses build enduring legacies.
Organized by Premier Family Business Consulting (PFBC), the forum tackled one of the most critical challenges faced by family enterprises today: how to successfully transition leadership and professionalize operations without losing the core values that built the business in the first place.
At the center of the forum was a keynote by Jon Ramos, Founder and CEO of PFBC and author of the newly launched book Legacy in Action. Ramos introduced the Two Systems Model, a framework honed through over two decades of family business consulting, which underscores the importance of simultaneously professionalizing both the family and the business to create a legacy that endures.
"A thriving legacy is built not only on strong businesses but on strong families," Ramos emphasized. "Governance, trust, and clarity within the family reinforce strategy, leadership, and systems in the enterprise. When these two ecosystems are aligned, families create legacies not just of profit but of purpose."
Drawing from his personal journey of transformation and real-world client experiences, Ramos offered a candid reflection on the struggles and breakthroughs of many family-run enterprises— sharing how family unity, strategic leadership development, and business systemization can turn potential pitfalls into powerful catalysts for growth.
RMR Group and R Land: A Model for Legacy-Building
One of the highlights of the forum was the story of RMR Capital Group led by a second-generation family executive, CFO Regina Therese Romero Lava and R Land Corporation President, Cirstin Britniann Romero-Tanbonliong and grounded in the foundational values instilled by their father, Dr. Reghis Romero, and the Romero sisters shared their insights into managing the delicate balance between honouring the past and steering the future.
Through PFBC’s Family Enterprise Planning (FEP) and Organisational Systems Effectiveness (OSE) programs, RMR Group has adopted a structured approach to leadership succession and governance, demonstrating how clear roles, decision-making protocols, and professional systems can secure multi-generational success.
Their collaboration with Mr. Salvador R. Cortez Jr., a trusted non-family executive and President and CEO of RMR Capital, highlighted the essential role that professional management plays in sustaining family enterprises. Cortez shared reflections on driving operational discipline and integrating long-term governance systems that safeguard both business performance and family unity.
"Professional leadership rooted in family values is not a contradiction—it’s a formula for enduring success," Cortez noted.
The RMR Group’s journey embodies the possibilities when family-run firms embrace strategic succession planning, values-driven leadership, and robust business systems— reinforcing that a family business can evolve while preserving its soul.
Beyond the Forum: Turning Legacy Into Action
Attendees left the forum equipped not only with inspiration but also with actionable strategies. Sessions highlighted the necessity of leadership capacity-building, the integration of clear governance structures, and the cultivation of professionalized systems capable of scaling sustainably.
More than an event, Legacy in Action marked a movement—a call for Filipino family businesses to turn legacy from a passive inheritance into a dynamic, purpose-driven mission. As Ramos concluded, "Legacy is not what you leave behind—it is what you live out in action."
Learn More and Take the Next Step
Families seeking to embark on this journey can explore deeper insights through Jon Ramos' book Legacy in Action, a practical guide for founders and successors navigating the complexities of succession, governance, and professionalisation.
Order the book or Schedule a complimentary 1-hour consultation with a Senior Family Business Consultant:
Email: info@premierfamilybusinessconsulting.com
Call/SMS/Viber/WhatsApp: +63 919 073 7751
Turn your family business into a legacy in action—built to last, led with purpose.
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- LEGACY IN ACTION: A FAMILY FORUM ON LEADERSHIP, SUCCESSION, & STRATEGIC RENEWAL
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- Thank you for joining us at the Legacy in Action forum and book launch! It was truly a joy to engage in meaningful discussions with you and other kindred spirits who seek to build lasting family business legacies. Your energy and insights made the event a truly remarkable success.
