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Former Peru minister sees the Philippines and Peru as gateways across Pacific
Philstar.com illustration
MANILA, Philippines — A familiar idea, recast for a different era, surfaced over dinner in Metro Manila.
At a recent gathering hosted by the Harvard Club of the Philippines, former Peruvian minister Hernán Garrido-Lecca outlined a proposal for a modern-day “galleon trade” linking South America and Southeast Asia through Peru and the Philippines.
It was business-diplomatic conversation built around geography, history and the changing shape of Pacific trade.
Garrido-Lecca, a former Peruvian minister of housing, construction and water services and later health minister, framed Peru as a possible exit point for South American exports to Asia, while the Philippines was presented as a natural entry point to Southeast Asia.
The idea drew from a familiar historical reference: the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade that once connected Asia and Latin America across the Pacific. In Garrido-Lecca’s proposal, the modern-day version would be less about nostalgia and more about ports, logistics and complementary markets.
Peru’s strengths in minerals, seafood, high-value agriculture and garments were discussed alongside the Philippines’ position in ASEAN, its young workforce and its experience in manufacturing and services.
The Port of Chancay in Peru, developed by COSCO Shipping, was cited as one piece of the emerging logistics picture, according to Harvard Club co-president Antonio “Tonito” Payumo.
The dinner
The gathering brought together Filipino officials, business leaders and members of the Harvard community.
Among those present were Payumo, a First Balfour executive; Fabian K. delos Santos, SGV and EY Philippines tax leader; Transportation Undersecretary Anneli Lontoc; and lawyer Karen Jimeno.
The dinner also included Gianna Montinola, a trustee of Far Eastern University; Alicia Rita Morales, managing director of the John Clements Leadership Institute; Haidee Enriquez, CEO of MicroSourcing and Beepo; Vince Lawrence Abejo, president and chief operating officer of Cadence Property Development Corp.; and Harvard alumna Liza Makinano.
Alumni of the Harvard Club of the Philippines Global
Board of Harvard Club of Philippines Global (HCPG). From L: Atty. Fabian Delos Santos, Usec. Anneli Lontoc (president of HKS), Hernan Garrido-Lecca, Tonito Payumo (co-president of HCPG), Gianna Montinola and Alicia Morales.
From L: Liza Makinano, Anneli Lontoc, Haidee Enriquez, Hernan Garrido Lecca, Karen Jimeno, Gianna Montinola, Vince Abejo and Tonito Payumo.
Born in Lima in 1960, Garrido-Lecca holds degrees from Universidad del Pacífico, Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Seville. His career has spanned government, banking, technology, biotechnology, energy and creative industries.
His biography lists roles as vice chairman and chief executive of Interbank, investment officer at the International Finance Corp, founder of biotechnology venture capital firm Bioinvest, inventor, children’s book author and founder of Chaska Entertainment.
For the guests, the discussion point anchored the evening: on whether old cultural ties and new trade routes could support more practical links between Latin America and Southeast Asia.
