Capt. Mannie Barradas
Brod Capt. Mannie Barradas has led a life marked by innovation, entrepreneurship, and public service. A graduate of Agriculture from UP Los Baños, Class of 1970, Brod Mannie has contributed to the country in both private and public sectors—blazing trails in aviation technology and holding key leadership roles in government and alumni service.
After graduation, Brod Mannie began his career as a farm manager for Del Monte in Davao, where he developed a keen interest in aviation—a field that would later define his professional life. Inspired by the agricultural aviation operations he observed on the plantation, he trained as a pilot and went on to establish ChemTrad Aviation in 1980. He also built the Barradas Airstrip in his hometown of Tanauan, Batangas.
ChemTrad Aviation became a pioneering company in agricultural and environmental aviation, specializing in fertilizer spraying, cloud seeding, oil spill response, and aviation training. The company grew to operate over 20 airplanes at its peak, serving clients like Del Monte, Dole, and the Philippine national government. ChemTrad handled many of the country’s major oil spill cleanups throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and its work extended to parts of the Asia-Pacific region.
In parallel with his aviation work, Brod Mannie pursued public service. He served as Vice Mayor of Tanauan, Batangas (1988–1992) and was elected Vice President of the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines (VMLP), working alongside then-Quezon City Vice Mayor and now Senate President Tito Sotto. Today, Brod Mannie continues to serve the academic community as the current President of the UPLB Alumni Association and Chairman of the Batangas Forum.
He is also a strong advocate of satellite and aviation technology for agriculture, fisheries, and disaster response. Outside of work, he promotes Tetada Kalimasada, an Indonesian inner-energy discipline, as a certified practitioner and instructor.
To us, Brod Mannie Barradas exemplifies the kind of lifelong commitment to service that we uphold as Alpha Sigmans. His journey—from agriculture to aviation, from public office to community leadership—reflects a deep and sustained Alay sa Sambayanan. Whether through pioneering technology, public service, or alumni involvement, Brod Mannie continues to use his knowledge, skills, and experience for the greater good.
