Bartolome R. Biagtan – Chairman

Bartolome “Bart” Biagtan is the Chairman of the Board of SMC HI-BRED PHILS, INC., bringing over 30 years of leadership in the agricultural and seeds industry. His career spans strategic business development, marketing, and operations, with a track record of driving market leadership and sustainable growth.

As Chairman, Bart shapes the company’s vision and governance framework, ensuring strategies create lasting value for Filipino farmers. His deep expertise in hybrid seeds and crop solutions—combined with a commitment to innovation and farmer-focused solutions—anchors the company’s mission to deliver globally competitive products tailored to local needs.

Guided by a leadership style that blends strategic foresight with practical industry insight, Bart helps the company navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and strengthen relationships with stakeholders across the agricultural sector.

Dante C. Abril – Treasurer & Corporate Secretary

Dante is a finance and governance professional with nearly three decades of leadership experience across the farming and high-technology sectors in ASEAN.

In his role as Treasurer and Corporate Secretary of SMC HI-BRED PHILS, INC., he ensures strong financial oversight, adherence to corporate governance standards, and regulatory compliance. Drawing on his deep industry knowledge and strategic insight, Dante contributes to the Board’s mission of driving sustainable growth while upholding transparency and accountability.

Dr. Manuel L. Logroño – Director

Dr. Manny Logroño is a distinguished plant breeding researcher with over four decades of experience in both the public and private seed industries. In 2021, he was recognized as Asia-Pacific’s most influential private-sector researcher in plant breeding for field crops.

Throughout his career, Dr. Manny has pioneered breakthroughs in corn and rice hybrid development across the globe, significantly boosting agricultural productivity, resilience, and sustainability. His leadership in breeding programs has been instrumental in creating high-yielding, adaptable crop varieties that meet the evolving needs of farmers.

At SMC HI-BRED PHILS, INC., Dr. Manny’s vision and expertise align seamlessly with the company’s mission—enhancing farm profitability and advancing Philippine agriculture through science, innovation, and farmer-focused solutions.

Aristotle B. Burgonio - Director

Aristotle B. Burgonio is a veteran agriculture professional with over 40 years of experience in crop research, breeding, and product development. He has dedicated his career to developing improved cereal varieties for Filipino farmers.

Trained internationally in advanced plant breeding at Wageningen University in the Netherlands and maize improvement at CIMMYT in Mexico, he brings invaluable expertise to SMC’s research and development direction.

George R. Jubay – Director

George is a seasoned crop breeding and product development leader with nearly 30 years in the agriculture industry. For two decades, he served as Germplasm Development Lead for Asia-Pacific at a leading multinational agriculture company, managing a team of 15 scientists to advance tropical and sub-tropical corn breeding programs

His expertise covers line development, commercial breeding, market segmentation, and product positioning, as well as defining product profiles tailored to diverse market needs. With a career built on both scientific rigor and market insight, George has consistently delivered innovations that drive agricultural productivity and profitability.

His deep technical knowledge and leadership in seed innovation contribute significantly to SMC HI-BRED PHILS, INC’s mission of delivering high-performing, market-responsive seed solutions to Filipino farmers.

Executive Leadership Team

Bartolome R. Biagtan – President

As President of SMC HI-BRED PHILS, INC., Bartolome “Bart” Biagtan leads the company’s sales and marketing operations, driving strategies that expand market reach and deepen customer engagement. With over 30 years in the agribusiness industry, he has built a strong track record in launching successful products, building brand equity, and delivering sustained revenue growth.

Bart champions a farmer-first approach, ensuring that every marketing initiative and sales program is rooted in a deep understanding of grower needs. Under his leadership, the company’s go-to-market strategies combine market insights, precise product positioning, and strong relationship building—delivering lasting value to customers while advancing SMC HI-BRED PHILS, INC.’s mission to provide high-quality hybrid seeds designed for local conditions.

Dante C. Abril – Chief Financial Officer

Dante is a seasoned finance executive with extensive experience in the farming and high-technology industries across ASEAN markets. As Chief Financial Officer of SMC HI-BRED PHILS, INC, he leads Production and Supply Chain Management, Corporate Finance, Human Resources and Administration, and Statutory and Tax Reporting and Compliance. In this role, he aligns financial strategy with operational execution, ensures regulatory adherence, and optimizes resources to support SMC HI-BRED PHILS, INC.’s growth objectives.

Prior to co-founding SMC HI-BRED PHILS, INC, Dante held senior finance roles in multinational corporations, managing cross-border teams and delivering sustainable business results in both mature and emerging markets. His leadership blends strategic vision, operational discipline, and a strong commitment to supporting Filipino farmers.