Ayala Now March to April 2008 Edition

Crossroads
of Civilization
pages 8 and 9
VOLUME 12, NUMBER 2 > MARCH-APRIL 2008
AFI wins
Wilmer Shields Rich
Award
ALAI celebrates
diamond
anniversary
Globe supports
Filipino
entrepreneurs
page 7
page 4
page 11
AF U S A : Bridging hope
a c r o s s the seas
Ayala Foundation USA (AF USA) was founded
and launched in 2000 at the Annual Convention
of the National Federation of Filipino American
Associations (NaFFAA) in Las Vegas to seek new
and innovative ways of increasing the number
of donors that support development projects in
the Philippines.
With the closure of the US bases in 1998, USAID funding
for Philippine development projects significantly dropped.
At the same time, many international funding agencies
began to focus their attention on the newly democratizing
economies in Asia such as Vietnam and Cambodia.
Fernando Zobel de Ayala asked for the support of Diosdado
Banato, a highly respected and successful technopreneur
in Silicon Valley; Loida Nicolas Lewis, an acknowledged
national community leader; and Greg Macabenta, a public
relations and marketing guru in the Filipino-American
(Fil-Am) community. Together with AFI president Victoria
Garchitorena, they constituted the original five incorporators
and board of trustees of AF USA, with FZA as chair.
AF USA was conceptualized as a bridge of hope across the
seas, connecting Filipinos in the US with their kababayans
in the Philippines. Most Filipinos and many Americans with
strong ties to the Philippines want to reach out, to give back,
and to help. Very often, they just don’t know how, whom to
trust, what is most urgently needed, and what programs work.
In an interview with Ayala Now, AFI president Victoria
Garchitorena revealed more about AF USA, its operations, and
how interested donors can participate in the organization’s
programs.
What sets AF USA apart from other charities in the US that
fund or donate to programs in the Philippines?
AF USA has established a trustworthy and efficient
mechanism for Filipinos and others in the United States
to reach out to Filipinos at risk—the underprivileged, the
disabled, the displaced—through strategic programs that
Continued on p. 2>
Ayala landmark
deals cited as
‘trailblazing’
Ayala Corporation was
lauded for breaking
“new ground in pricing
landmark deals” in
an article entitled “A
Philippine Trailblazer”
in the March issue of
Ayala treasurer
Finance Asia. According
Ramon Opulencia
to the magazine, Ayala
likewise excelled in
“generating growth and innovation in one
of the smallest and most underdeveloped
bond markets in the region.”
Finance Asia praised Ayala for three breakthroughs—raising
a P7 billion five-year bond in 2004, the biggest amount any
Philippine company had raised at the time; getting access
to the private market and issuing two tranches of corporate
fixed-rate notes in pesos in 2005; and developing the first
peso-denominated corporate hybrid bond in 2006, the first of
its kind in the region.
In the 1990s, Ayala’s bid to secure its leadership in real estate,
banking, telecommunications, and infrastructure required
raising funds for its projects. In the beginning it borrowed
from local banks and raised cash in capital markets, but
because of certain regulations and industry practices, Ayala
soon “exhausted those options.” Banks could not lend a
borrower more than 15 percent of their total capital, the
Finance Asia report said, and very few bonds went beyond
P1 billion.
AF USA president Victoria Garchitorena (seated, center) joins Fil-Am New York volunteers in one of their meetings
Ayala sets new growth platform, declares
20% stock dividend
In its Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held on
April 4, Ayala Corporation reported a record high
of audited consolidated net income of P16.2
billion for 2007, 33 percent higher than earnings
in 2006. The growth was driven by the strong
performance of its major operating units and
capital gains from value-realization initiatives.
Ayala chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto
Zobel de Ayala II noted that the group’s consolidated net
income grew at a compounded annual growth rate of
37 percent over the past six years, with return on equity
reaching its highest in 2007 at 19.7 percent. He added that
“the company focused more heavily on unlocking and
realizing values from its investments in recent years, which
generated capital gains of over P12 billion the past two years
alone, giving the company greater financial flexibility to
pursue a new investment cycle.”
Ayala recently made investments in the business process
outsourcing sector, given the strong growth potential of
Continued on p. 2>
Ayala then started to look for funds abroad by selling fixed
and floating-rate bonds and borrowing from foreign banks.
“This created a huge currency mismatch, which required
expensive hedges in terms of foreign-exchange fluctuations,
as well as dollar availability,” said Ayala treasurer Ramon
Opulencia.
Because of these challenges, Ayala took a “proactive approach
in developing the country’s debt market,” Opulencia said.
In successive years Ayala developed and implemented
instruments that benefited not only the conglomerate but
capital markets in the country as well.
Finance Asia reported that bankers across Asia had also
praised Ayala’s “keen understanding of investor needs and
market sentiments.” While these innovations were being
implemented, the report said, the company “provided
substantial guidance and motivation.”
“Innovation is our way of being unique, of strengthening our
brand and telling the world that we make a difference,” said
Opulencia.
Photo shows JAZA (foreground) and FZA (background) at the ASM
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies
News
AF USA: Bridging hope across the seas
<Continued from p.1
How can interested parties participate in AF USA?
Anyone who wishes to reach out to the Philippines and
support our social development programs can email or
call us to find out how they can best do so. They can also
directly send their donations to us to support our operations
and programs. We accept monetary donations, as well as
donations of stocks and other assets.
Others offer their time and energy as volunteers. They
disseminate information about AF USA, make presentations
to Fil-Am organizations, and actively solicit donations. Others
help by informing their family and friends about AF USA and
our services.
What are AF USA’s plans for 2008?
For 2008, we have a very ambitious plan of raising $3 million.
We will also mount a major fundraiser in the last quarter of
the year with the hope of raising $500,000 to support GILAS
in connecting 1,000 additional public high schools across the
country to the Internet. We are also launching a partnership
with PinoyME to support microfinance institutions in the
country, and with De La Salle University in its campaign to
raise $1 million for its scholarship fund.
AF USA president Victoria Garchitorena (second from left) receives a check on behalf of GILAS at the launch of Seafood City in Eagle Rock California.
Also in photo are (from left) AF USA Southern California volunteer Guila Maramba, Seafood City vice president for Marketing Lito Hontiveros, and
Seafood City’s Caloy Go
have shown results. More importantly, we have a menu of
about 145 partner organizations in the Philippines, which
have been accredited as legitimate recipients of donations
from what is known as “donor-advised” funds from the US.
Donors may also recommend charities that they wish to
support. If they do, we evaluate their identified charity
through the same process. If the charity qualifies, then it
becomes one of our recipient organizations
Most other charities in the US focus only on programs in their
own backyards. Other Fil-Am foundations raise funds only
for specific charities in the Philippines. AF USA is perhaps the
only foundation in the US that finds ways to support specific
charities in the Philippines based on the preference of each
donor.
How does AF USA promote to a higher level these
Philippine organizations among potential donors in the US?
We do this in a number of ways. First, these organizations
are listed in our website as AF USA accredited partners. Our
website carries a short description of each organization, and
visitors to the site can donate directly to them through a
donation portal in our website.
In which states is AF USA currently active?
We have volunteers in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York/
New Jersey, Washington DC, Chicago, Las Vegas, Honolulu,
Seattle, and Portland. Most of these volunteers raise funds for
GILAS, a multisectoral consortium that aims to put computer
labs with Internet access in all 6,300 public high schools
across the Philippines. We also have donors from many
other states such as Texas, Maryland, Philadelphia, Florida,
Massachusetts, and other states across the US.
How does AF USA determine which Philippine
organizations to support?
Non-profits in the Philippines that desire to become
accredited recipients of grants from AF USA have to apply
for such status by filling in the application form in the AF
USA website. The application is evaluated by our staff for
approval by the board. We recommend that they apply for
accreditation with the Philippine Council for NGO Certification
to make it easier for them to qualify for AF USA grants.
Second, we carry news features on these organizations in
our weekly e-bulletin in order to give our readers a deeper
understanding of their programs and their impact on their
respective communities.
Fourth, we help partners find innovative ways of doing joint
campaigns. For example, we partnered with ERDA Tech and
Red Ribbon to campaign for support among the managers,
staff, customers, and suppliers of their stores in the US.
The Pinagsama STP will use a combined sewer-drainage
system, intercepting wastewater outfalls to the Pinagsama
Creek before being released to Laguna Lake, while treating it
to comply with environmental standards. With a daily capacity
of 8,000 cubic meters, Pinagsama STP benefits up to 40,000
Taguig residents in Signal Village, AFP/PNP Village Phase 2,
and Pinagsama Village Phases 1, 2A, and 2B.
The Pinagsama STP will be the first of several proposed STPs
under the Taguig Sewerage System.
Meanwhile, over 40,000 Taguig residents are expected to
benefit from Manila Water’s intensified septic-tank desludging
program this year. Done in partnership with the local
government of Taguig, the Sanitasyon Para Sa Barangay
(SPSB) program targets low-income communities, offering to
siphon household septic tanks for free.
Manila Water’s mascot Pat Tubig and a wastewater operative help
desludge a septic tank in one of the households in Signal Village,
Taguig
2
VOLUME 12, NUMBER 2 > MARCH-APRIL 2008
Fil-Ams visit Carlos P. Garcia High School in Pandacan, Manila, a school
connected to the Internet through the help of GILAS
Third, we develop strategic partnerships in the US for the
programs that we actively raise funds for, such as GILAS.
An example of this is our partnership with Seafood City, a
chain of grocery stores owned by a Filipino-American. We
placed donation boxes for GILAS at the check-out counters of
Seafood City. They have also co-branded their own products
with the GILAS logo and a percentage of those sales goes to
GILAS.
Manila Water steps up sewage treatment,
sanitation programs in Taguig
Manila Water Company is set to construct its first sewagetreatment plant (STP) in Taguig to prevent further
degradation of the water quality of Laguna Lake. The
treatment facility, which will cost P105 million, is envisioned
to be operational by 2009.
We hope to achieve this by expanding our volunteer base, by
reaching out to Filipinos in Texas, Florida, and Boston, among
other areas. We also hope to tap more Filipino corporations,
American companies with operations in the Philippines, and
Americans who have strong ties with the Philippines and who
might be wiling to reach out to those who need their help.
Rocking Moon Foundation, through AF USA, supports Sa Aklat Sisikat
Foundation which implements reading programs in 33 schools in
Marinduque
Ayala sets new growth platforms
<Continued from p.1
the market for offshore and outsourcing services, and the
Philippines’ competitive advantage in this space. Ayala
president and chief operating officer Fernando Zobel de
Ayala said “the company continues to be optimistic about
prospects in this sector as companies globally look for ways
to reduce cost and provide cost-efficient service to customers.
This will continue to draw demand for outsourced services,
especially in the Philippines where there is a highly skilled,
literate, trainable, and English-proficient workforce.”
Ayala’s group capital investments this year are estimated at
P56 billion, as its operating units continue to pursue potential
areas for growth in tandem with the holding company’s
efforts to seek new investment opportunities. This is
43 percent higher than capital investments the group made
in 2007 and the highest in its history.
JAZA also noted that “the coming year will be focused on
efforts to develop new platforms for future growth. These
capital investments are geared towards securing the group’s
earnings moving forward.”
Through the SPSB program, Manila Water plans to improve
overall sanitation in poor communities to prevent diseases
such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea. In addition, the
program hopes to keep untreated domestic wastewater
from contaminating river systems. Manila Water’s intensified
sanitation program is done in commemoration of the
International Year of Sanitation and in compliance with the
Clean Water Act.
In the same meeting, Ayala’s board of directors and
shareholders approved the declaration of a 20 percent stock
dividend to shareholders of record as of April 24, 2008. Over
the past decade the company has consistently paid out
dividends to shareholders, complementing its regular cash
dividends with stock dividends from time to time. This has
allowed the company to effectively generate a 20 percent
growth in shareholders’ cash dividends over the past 10 years.
The SPSB program was launched at Signal Village, which will
be followed by Lower and Western Bicutan, and then the rest
of Taguig.
According to JAZA, “The difficult economic environment
and uncertainties in the global financial markets will pose
challenges in the short term, but as always, the company will
manage through these with the drive to create and enhance
value for its shareholders over the long term.”
News
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies
3
News
ALAI reaffirms commitment to excellence on 75th anniversary
This year, Ayala Life Assurance Inc. (ALAI)
celebrates 75 years as a testament to the
company’s excellence, resilience, and longevity in
the Philippine insurance industry.
Founded as Filipinas Life Assurance Company on April 27,
1933, Ayala Life began as a subsidiary of Filipinas Compañia
de Seguros. When World War II broke out, the company
was compelled to suspend further underwriting. Filipinas
Life was reactivated after the war, eventually becoming
the undisputed leader in industrial life insurance for three
decades and the biggest life insurance company in terms of
policyholders in the 1970s.
In 1990, Filipinas Life changed its corporate name to Ayala
Life Assurance Incorporated to highlight its transformation
into a full-service life insurance company. Today, Ayala Life is a
fully-owned subsidiary and the life insurance arm of the Bank
of the Philippine Islands. It is currently one of the top industry
players in the country.
Inspired by its contribution to the development of the
life insurance industry through a number of trend-setting
initiatives since its inception, Ayala Life celebrated its
diamond anniversary with special events commemorating
the company’s long legacy of service to the Filipino. Ayala
Life’s anniversary theme this year is “SHINE—Sparking Hope,
INspiring Excellence.”
Emilio De Quiros Jr., president of Ayala Life, said, “As we
commemorate the 75th year of Ayala Life, we also reaffirm our
commitment to be the leading provider of insurance products
with the highest standards of quality, professionalism, and
competence that the name Ayala is known for.”
On April 21, Fr. Alan Dialogo said the Anniversary Mass,
which was followed by a program at the Ayala Life-FGU
Center to kick off the festivities. Other special events
included the Awards Night for Top Performing Agents at
the Intercontinental Manila on April 23, and a national
convention for the best-performing agents in Cagayan de
Oro and Camiguin on April 24 and 26, respectively. These
events recognized the contribution of employees and
agents to the success of Ayala Life.
As part of the celebration, Ayala Life strengthened its
commitment to helping uplift the lives of Filipinos by
heading the Balik-Bayani Program, in partnership with the
Catholics Bishop Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). The
program teaches overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and
their families how to start their own business by pooling
together their resources with other OFW families to start a
community livelihood.
Ayala Life also gave out free
personal accident insurance
worth P75,000 to the first
1,000 individuals who visited
Ayala Life’s Free Personal
Accident booths at the BPI
Direct Information Center, Balik
Manggagawa Center POEA,
Ortigas on April 21 and 25, and at
TriNoma Mall on April 25 and 26.
offers innovative products for enhanced communication
In order to provide subscribers with relevant and
easy-to-use products and services, Globe Telecom
is taking several measures to improve and widen
the reach of its offerings.
Globe Business has doubled its international Internet
bandwidth to six gigabytes per second (Gbps), and is
continuously upgrading to reach 10 Gbps. The increase
in capacity will provide faster connectivity and eliminate
service interruptions, benefiting Globe’s customers, which
incude everyday home users, Internet cafés, and other
growing businesses, as well as large corporations with bigger
broadband access requirements.
To further manage the traffic requirements of customers,
Globe established direct connections with top online content
providers, including Yahoo and Google. It also hosts Akamai
servers in its Data Center. These connections ensure that
Internet traffic flows directly to these online content providers
for faster access. Today, Globe has the most number of direct
network connections to Asia, the US, and Europe, as well as
popular web portals.
To keep its customers connected all the time, Globe also
entered into an agreement with a new roaming partner,
AeroMobile, to enable Globe postpaid subscribers to use
their mobile phones while on board airplanes of selected
carriers. Subscribers can make and receive calls and send text
messages while in transit, as long as the mobile phone used is
GSM-capable.
Globe postpaid subscribers need not worry about potential
adverse effects of their mobile’s signal on the aircraft’s
systems with the help of the AeroMobile system. Supported
by 450 roaming partners in over 200 destinations worldwide,
the AeroMobile system controls all mobile phones on the
aircraft so that they operate at the minimum power level.
All-new 2008 Honda Accord
Aside from its ITXT service to SingTel, Globe offers other
special rates to Singapore to help bridge the distance
between loved ones here and abroad. All Globe subscribers
can enjoy P7.50-per-minute IDD calls to SingTel users via
12801.
To know more about Globe’s products and services, visit
www.globe.com.ph
now at HCMI showrooms
Honda Cars Makati Inc. (HCMI), a member of
the Ayala group of companies with branches in
Makati, Pasig, Alabang, Shaw, and Global City,
(G-force Control) impact-absorption technology that reduces
introduced the all-new 2008 Honda Accord in its
showrooms shortly after it was launched by Honda potential injuries not only to its occupants but to pedestrians
as well. The new Accord is further protected by ABS (anti-lock
Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) on March 11.
Hundreds of customers gathered across HCMI branches
to catch the latest Honda creation, with its bold and
sophisticated exterior design, wide interior, and a powerful
and responsive i-VTEC engine.
For prepaid subscribers, Globe, together with SingTel, offers
more affordable international short message service (SMS)
rates to Singapore with the ITXT service. ITXT offers 25
international SMS using SingTel for P25, valid for 5 days, while
100 text messages to loved ones in Singapore costs only P50,
valid for 10 days. This promo runs until June 15, 2008.
braking system) with EBD (electronic brake force distribution)
and VSA (vehicle stability assist), which work together to help
the driver avoid hazardous motoring conditions.
“The eighth-generation Accord is guaranteed to set a new
benchmark in luxury sedans. Built with a new discipline in
exterior styling, engine technology and ergonomics, we can
confidently say that the eighth-generation Accord is indeed
the best Accord ever,” said HCPI vice president for marketing
Arnel Doria.
The new Honda Accord’s superiority in safety earned for it a
five-star rating from the US National Highway Traffic Safety
Association. It has been recognized as a “Top Safety Pick” by
the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The all-new 2008 Honda Accord is available for test drive by
appointment in any of the HCMI dealerships. To schedule your
showroom visit, or to learn more about HCMI’s products and
services, visit www.hondamakati.com.ph
“We aim to set the bar and further establish the standard
in the luxury sedan segment. With its aggressive styling,
powerful overall performance and breakthrough technology,
the new Accord is an embodiment of luxury, comfort, power,
and prestige for which Honda has been known,” said HCPI
president and general manager Hiroshi Shimizu.
With a bold and sophisticated exterior design, the new Accord
exudes power from every angle. Enlarged for luxurious
comfort yet more powerful and responsive than ever,
the new Accord delivers flawless control of handling and
maneuverability. It is available in 3.5-liter V6 (V engine with
six cylinders) and 2.4-liter DOHC (double-overhead camshaft)
inline four variants.
The 3.5-liter Accord is designed for higher energy and
lower fuel consumption. In addition to the efficient i-VTEC
engineering, the 3.5-liter V6 engine comes with Honda’s new
variable cylinder management or VCM643 system, which
further enhances fuel economy.
Meawhile, the 2.4-liter engine creates optimal balance
between power and fuel efficiency.
Honda’s commitment to safety is evident in the new Accord,
with the advanced six-airbags system with OPDS (occupant
position detection system), three-point ELR seatbelts with
load limiter and pretensioner functions, and Honda’s G-CON
4
VOLUME 12, NUMBER 2 > MARCH-APRIL 2008
News
IMI and Speedy-Tech: One Brand, One Team
Subsidiaries of Integrated Microelectronics, Inc. (IMI) in China, Singapore, and Cebu warmly
welcomed the new IMI corporate brand as a symbol of the group’s shared vision and values.
IMI, a leading electronics manufacturing service (EMS)
provider in Asia, has manufacturing and engineering facilities
in the Philippines, Singapore, China, Japan, and the US. IMI
already had a presence in Singapore and China when it
merged with Speedy-Tech Electronics Ltd., a leading EMS
company based in Singapore, in 2005.
The combined forces of IMI and Speedy-Tech have made
IMI the 27th company in the list of top EMS providers in the
world based on 2007 revenues, according to the newsletter
Manufacturing Market Insider.
IMI sets itself apart from other EMS providers by focusing on
“customer intimacy,” which entails segmenting the market
and offering customized solutions to target segments based
on in-depth knowledge of their requirements.
IMI president and chief executive officer Arthur Tan said,
“We are committed to delivering flexible, customer-focused,
integrated electronics solutions of the highest quality and
integrity in a cost-effective manner. We have translated this
common discipline to the new IMI brand: we are the flexible
experts. This means our expertise is flexible and adapts to the
requirements of our customers.”
At the brand launch held in China in March, general manager
for China Li Jianhua emphasized that regardless of where
IMI employees come from, they will be known among their
customers as the flexible experts. “We are driven by customer
enthusiasm. We make our customers’ concerns our concerns,”
he added.
Speedy-Tech engineering director Phua Teo Chye said in
Mandarin, “The same discipline, the same set of values by
which we built and grew Speedy-Tech will continue to guide
the IMI group through the coming years.”
When asked about his reaction to the new brand, general
manager Li Jianhua said, “I like it very much. The new brand
means that Speedy-Tech and IMI belong to just one family.”
In Singapore, employees welcomed the new brand as they
celebrated the Chinese New Year on February 15 with a
dragon dance and a performance by daiko drummers.
1
Senior managing director Chng Poh Guan said that the IMI
group has embarked on a branding initiative that provides a
great opportunity for the global organization to leverage on
the strengths of IMI and Speedy-Tech.
IMI Cebu held a festive brand launch coinciding with the
Sinulog festival, also in February, while the local office in
Cavite had a barrio fiesta to celebrate the new brand on
May 5 .
In all brand launch activities, Tan emphasized IMI brand’s
two essential characteristics—distinction from others and
relevance. “Regardless of where we are from, our roles, our
individual experiences, we must strive to be the best at what
we do. As we evolve from a regional player to a truly global
organization, our customers will demand this kind of flexible
expertise from us.”
2
3
IMI executives and employees celebrate the launch of the new corporate
brand: 1) IMI president Arthur Tan addresses Speedy-Tech employees as
he talks about the new brand ; 2) IMI chief finance officer Marisa Santos
joins the festivites in Singapore; 3) Speedy-Tech general manager for
China Li Jianhua discusses the importance of being flexible experts; 4)
The IMI branding team poses for a photo at the Singapore brand launch:
(from left) future brand consultant Rob Allen, IMI marketing manager
Fred Blancas, Ayala associate director Emi de Lara, IMI president Arthur
Tan, Speedy-Tech senior managing director Ben Chng, and future brand
consultant Robert Tan
4
Ayala, UPSE
kick off economic forum
AC-UPSE Economic Forum
Where do we go from here
•A Realistic Proposal
•Flexibility in Inflation Targeting
•Rhetoric of Endearment
•Re-reading the Evidence
UPSE professor Raul Fabella recommends specific means for the country to achieve its economic goals
Ayala Corporation, in partnership with the University of the Philippines School of Economics
(UPSE), recently kicked off the Ayala–UPSE Economic Forum on April 10 at the Ayala Museum.
UPSE professor Raul Fabella served as the speaker of the event, delivering a talk entitled “The Peso
Appreciation and the Sustainability of Philippine Growth: Need We Worry?”
Ayala chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto
Zobel de Ayala welcomed the guests to the forum. In his
opening remarks, he explained that the forum is about “things
of great importance to the country,” and that it could not have
come at a better time since “we are all looking for answers,”
with the Philippine and world economies going through
turbulent times.
Fabella, who obtained his master’s degree in Economics at
UP Diliman and his doctorate in Economics at Yale University,
provided much insight into the state of the Philippine
economy. “Underdevelopment is a story not about the dearth
BPI provides convenient way
for payment of Pag-IBIG dues
BPI Cash Management and Pag-IBIG Fund
recently ventured into a partnership that will
start a new era in government payments. PagIBIG clients can now pay their monthly dues
through BPI ExpressLink.
In her opening remarks at the contract-signing event,
BPI senior vice president Teresita Tan said, “BPI is taking
another step as it joins hands with Pag-IBIG Fund to provide
unprecedented service to its clients and soon-to-be clients, by
enabling them to make their Pag-IBIG loan and contribution
payments through BPI ExpressLink.”
Clients may avail of this cash-management service through
BPI ExpressLink, the bank’s Internet platform for corporate
accounts. Tan also said that BPI’s “cash-management services
are the most consistently awarded cash-management
solutions in the country.”
BPI received the “Best in Cash Management” award from
Asiamoney magazine from 2005 to 2007, and from The Asset
Triple A Awards from 2005 to 2007. It also received an award
from Alpha South East Asia magazine last year.
of resources but about blown opportunities,” he said. In his
lecture, he touched on such topics as the recent history of
the Philippine economy, the implications of overseas Filipino
workers’ (OFWs) remittances, the dangers presented by the
continued appreciation of the peso to the economy, and
possible remedies.
Ayala treasurer and managing director Ramon Opulencia and
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Center for Monetary and Financial
Policy acting director Francisco Dakila Jr. provided reactions
to Fabella’s lecture, while UPSE dean Emmanuel de Dios
delivered the closing remarks.
Pag-IBIG CEO Romero Quimbo (center) and BPI president Aurelio
Montinola III (right) shake hands to seal the new partnership between
BPI and Pag-IBIG. Also in photo is BPI overseas banking and channels
services group head SVP Teresita Tan
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies
5
News
Greenbelt 5 opens as premier lifestyle center
The Ayala Malls Group (AMG) held a press launch in April for
the first phase of Greenbelt 5, the “culminating piece” of the
redevelopment of the Greenbelt commercial complex.
Envisioned to become the premier fashion and lifestyle
center, Greenbelt 5 “was an instant success” when it opened,
said AMG vice president and deputy group head Rowena
Tomeldan. “The market reacted positively to the concept of
Greenbelt 5.”
The success of Greenbelt 5, Tomeldan said, owes much to
AMG’s strategy, which is “to listen to the customers.” She
said “this allows us to tailor-fit our initiatives to what the
market wants, allowing us to come up with fresh offerings
that make relevant their ‘malling’ experience.”
Greenbelt 5, Tomeldan said, targets “cosmopolitan, welltraveled Filipinos who are attuned to global lifestyle trends.
They have discriminating tastes and are fashion-forward,
appreciating no less than quality products.”
Occupying a total land area of 30,000 square meters,
Greenbelt 5 dedicates 80 percent of its floor area not only
to famous international fashion and lifestyle brands, but
also to world-class Filipino designers. These designers
are showcased in an area called The Filipino Zone, which
occupies the second floor of the three-story mall. These
designers include Rafe Totengco, Tina Maristela-Ocampo,
Arnel Papa, Randy Ortiz, and Amina Aranaz, among others.
Restaurants, such as Zuni, Chateau 1771, and Solihiya,
occupy the remaining 20 percent of the commercial center.
A three-hectare park, according to Tomeldan, serves as “the
focal point of Greenebelt 5 and provides a sanctuary of lush
greenery amidst the concrete buildings and pavements of
the business district.”
In October 2008, the Ayala Malls group aims to launch the
second phase of Greenbelt 5, which will feature more luxury
fashion stores, a gallery for timepieces, a Youth Lifestyle
Zone, a Family Zone, a salon, a gym, and a spa.
Ayala Foundation convenes civil society
for forum on migration and development
Members of the Experts Group gather at the Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City for the preparation of the papers for
the 2nd Global Forum on Migration and Development
Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI) is set to convene a twoday forum, called Civil Society Days, as part of the 2nd
Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD)
to be held on October 27-30, 2008 at the Philippine
International Convention Center. The Department of
Foreign Affairs (DFA) designated AFI as the convenor
of the event.
The GFMD is a result of a high-level dialogue of the United
Nations General Assembly in 2006. It is a global consultative
process involving the 192 United Nations member states,
and was designed to enhance the positive impact of
migration on development, and vice versa. The primary
purpose of the gathering is to address issues and concerns
related to migration and development, which will focus
on best practices in different countries, exchanges of
experiences, and possible cooperation among member
states.
The Memorandum of Agreement between AFI and the
DFA—signed on January 14, 2008 by AFI president Victoria
Garchitorena and DFA undersecretary Esteban Conejos,
Jr.—stipulated the key activities that AFI will undertake
leading to the conduct of Civil Society Days. These include
the organization of a Philippine Organizing Committee
(POC) and an International Advisory Committee (IAC) that
will provide expert advice on substantive issues and the
selection of local and international delegates.
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VOLUME 12, NUMBER 2 > MARCH-APRIL 2008
Civil Society Days will be held on October 27 and 28 with
about 230 international and local delegates expected
to attend. The meeting will adopt the governmentapproved theme “Protecting and Empowering Migrants
for Development” with three roundtable discussions on
migration, development, and human rights.
AFI and the DFA have arranged an interface session
between civil society participants and government
representatives on October 28. This is designed to allow
the exchange of ideas and the sharing of results based on
the proceedings of Civil Society Days, which could provide
inputs to the government meeting on October 29.
Manila Water shares best
practices at international forum
Manila Water, together with other water and
wastewater authorities in Asia, was recently
lauded at the Asia Water 2008 Conference held
in Kuala Lumpur for being an efficient provider
of water and wastewater services. Manila Water
also shared its expertise in the field of water
infrastructure investment during the conference,
which carried the theme, Water and Wastewater
Challenges: The Way Forward.
Jeric Sevilla Jr., Manila Water corporate communications
head, spoke about the company’s experiences and best
practices over the past 10 years of operation in non-revenue
water reduction, water supply and wastewater service
provision to the urban poor, operating efficiency, and people
transformation and development. Sevilla also informed the
participants and conference organizers about how Manila
Water turned around what many people had perceived to be
a money-losing enterprise into a profitable yet socially and
environmentally responsible company.
Organized by the Malaysian Water Association and
supported by the Malaysian Ministry of Energy, Water,
and Communications, Asia Water 2008 brought together
policy makers, leaders of water and wastewater utilities and
companies, government officials, and other professionals
involved in the water and wastewater industries from the
region to discuss emerging issues and possible solutions.
In the last Asia Water Conference held in 2006, Manila Water
was given the Asia Water Management Excellence Award for
the Industry Category for its significant contribution to the
industry through efficient and customer-service-oriented
operations.
AFI has lined up a number of activities leading to the GFMD.
A Civil Society website will be put up to give concerned
sectors access to information on the event. The website
has a corresponding government website for issues and
concerns that would be of interest to UN member states.
A complementary database and catalogue are being
designed to allow AFI to create and maintain a repository of
information on migration and development even beyond
the GFMD.
For further information on the forum and Civil Society Days,
please visit www.gfmd2008.org
Photo shows Manila Water representatives Jeric Sevilla Jr.(far right) and
Ronnie Lim (far left) with some conference organizers and other country
delegates at the Asia Water 2008 Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Proudly Ayala
Forbes names JAZA as one of
RP’s ‘Heroes of Philanthropy’
In a special report, Forbes said the list “aimed to identify not
only some of the largest donors but also some of the most
interesting—generous folks who may not make one of
our rich lists but who put a hefty share of their money into
much-needed, and sometimes unusual, projects.”
Ayala chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II
was recently named by Forbes magazine as one
of its Asian “Heroes of Philanthropy.” Three other
Filipino businessmen—Oscar Lopez of the Lopez
Group of Companies, John Gokongwei Jr. of
Summit Holdings, and Ramon del Rosario of the
Phinma Group—also made it to the esteemed
list of 48 Asians cited in the magazine’s March 10
issue.
Featuring profiles of the 48 personalities, the magazine
described Ayala Foundation, of which JAZA is co-vice
chair, as an organization that “focuses on improving
elementary education, developing young leaders, boosting
environmental protection, increasing access to technology,
and supporting arts and culture.” JAZA, according to Forbes,
firmly believes that it is among the duties of businesses to
work aggressively to solve the country’s poverty crisis.
Ramon del Rosario
John Gokongwei Jr.
Oscar Lopez
Ayala Foundation
annual report wins
Wilmer Shields Rich Award
The Asset hails BPI as
best domestic bank
in RP
Ayala Foundation was named a Silver Award Winner
for Excellence in Communications at the 2008 Wilmer
Shields Rich Awards Program. Sponsored by the Council
on Foundations, the awards program recognizes
effective communication efforts to increase public
awareness of foundations and corporate giving
programs.
The Bank of the Philippine Islands has been
named as the Best Domestic Bank in the
Philippines in The Asset’s annual Triple A
Country Awards for 2007.
The Asset is a financial business magazine written for users
and providers of financial services in Asia. It is published by
The Asset Publishing and Research Ltd., which has built a
powerful reputation for delivering authoritative, unbiased
coverage, and independent research of Asia’s financial
industry.
individuals that have made a significant contribution to the
development of the finance industry in Asia.
The Asset’s annual Triple A honors are the most prestigious
in the finance industry because of their rigorous
assessment process. The awards recognize institutions and
This is the fifth time that BPI has won the award. The award
was received by BPI Capital Corporation vice president
Denis Sta. Catalina.
BPI Capital vice president Denis Sta. Catalina receives the award on
behalf of BPI
Asiamoney lauds Manila Water
Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II
as best managed company in RP
Ayala Foundation received the award for its 2006 annual
report. “The work submitted by Ayala Foundation Inc.
demonstrates the foundation’s commitment to public
accountability and effective communication and serves as
a model of excellence to other grant makers,” said Steve
Gunderson, president and chief executive officer of the
Council on Foundations.
Under the same category, the Ayala Foundation annual report
won the Wilmer Shields Rich Silver Award and Gold Award in
2006 and 2007, respectively.
The award will be formally presented at Philanthropy’s Vision:
A Leadership Summit, in National Harbor, Maryland, on May
5, 2008.
A total of 213 entries were submitted to this year’s awards.
These included annual or biennial reports, magazines or
periodicals, special reports, public-information campaigns
and websites.
Manila Water Company was recently
named the Philippines’ Best Managed
Company for 2007 in Asiamoney’s
Best Managed Companies Awards.
The annual event, organized by a
leading Asian financial magazine and
participated in by analysts and fund
managers from across the region,
recognizes corporations that stand
out for their strategic vision and
development.
Manila Water bested other Philippine
companies in the small-capitalization category,
even if it operates under a heavily regulated
environment. The company was also cited
for bringing water to areas that had not been
served before.
This is the second time Manila Water received
the honor. It first received the award in 2005.
Manila Water Business Group director Rene Almendras (left) receives the Best
Managed Company Award from Asiamoney editor Richard Morrow
Manila Water Business Group director Rene
Almendras received the award on behalf of
the company. “We always try to find ways of
doing things efficiently because we want our
customers to see and experience the value of
what they pay for. We are currently looking
for new water sources to ensure steady water
supply, and for our customers to continue
benefiting from our improved services even
years from now,” Almendras said.
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies
7
Feature
Gold of Ancestors
An exhibition of 1,059 gold objects dating from the
tenth to thirteenth century, Gold of Ancestors celebrates the
cultures that flourished in the Philippines before the Spanish
arrived in the sixteenth century. While some of the objects
found in this collection are represented in other collections,
many objects in this exhibit are unique and have never been
seen in public.
Florina Capistrano-Baker, the exhibit’s curator,
emphasizes how these objects bore witness to a golden age
of Philippine culture, when the islands had political, religious,
cultural, and economic affinities with their Austronesianspeaking neighbors, particularly with the people in the
Indonesian archipelago. Precolonial affinities with Southeast
Asian cultures are affirmed in the exhibit by related
iconography such as anthropomorphic images and HinduBuddhist forms that were unearthed in the Philippines.
Gold of Ancestors: Precolonial Treasures in the
Philippines is organized in three sections. Austronesian
Migrations sets the context for the shared affinities of the
Austronesian-speaking peoples that migrated out of preSinitic southern China and into Southeast Asia. Mortals and
Deities Adorned celebrates the splendid gold ornamentations
that were used to adorn representations of divinity. Journey to
the Afterlife explores early religious notions of the afterworld
through the display of magnificent funerary offerings.
Eighteenth to Nineteenth Century
Philippine Costumes
Embroidered Multiples: 18th to 19th Century
Philippine Costumes features selections from the collection
of eighteenth- to nineteenth-century Philippine costumes of
the National Museum of Ethnology, Leiden, the Netherlands,
and from the Rina Ortiz collection. Acquired from the French
diplomat Bréjard, who was assigned to Manila from 1881 to
1886, the collection from Leiden includes rare, embroidered
silk trousers or sayasaya that were worn by the elite in
Philippine colonial society. These trousers were formerly
known only through nineteenth-century watercolor images
of country types and costumes called tipos del país.
Other important objects in this exhibition
include two extraordinary examples of nineteenth-century
wraparound skirts or tapis that illustrate local weaving and
decorative technologies. Multiple examples of delicately
embroidered nipis blouses reveal a lexicon of decorative
techniques including relief embroidery, openwork, and
supplementary weft or suksuk, as well as the changing
silhouette of women’s garments from the late eighteenth to
the nineteenth century. These garments were worn in an era
when the elite announced and affirmed their status through
socially prescribed attire.
Embroidered Multiples, presented in collaboration
with the Royal Netherlands Embassy and the National
Museum of Ethnology, Leiden, the Netherlands, is also
curated by Capistrano-Baker.
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VOLUME 12, NUMBER 2 > MARCH-APRIL 2008
Historical artifacts tell amazing stories about the cultures of the past. In th
sensibilities that shaped the country’s history and culture. Ayala Museum p
of Civilizations, a three-part exhibition on long-term display at the museum
Feature
AT AYALA MUSEUM
he Philippines, rare objects from a millennium ago reflect the influences and
presents a spectacular selection of these extraordinary objects in Crossroads
m’s fourth-floor galleries.
A Millennium of Contact
Chinese and Southeast Asian ceramics found in the
Philippines tell the story of how the country forged social and
commercial ties with China and its neighbors. A Millennium
of Contact: Chinese and Southeast Asian Trade Ceramics in
the Philippines, the third part of the Crossroads of Civilization
exhibition, displays more than 500 ceramic pieces and provides
one of the most comprehensive surveys, spanning a thousand
years, of Chinese and Southeast Asian trade wares found in the
Philippines.
These trade ceramics are not only a feast for the eyes; their
origins and the periods in which they were produced also
provide important data about the past. As proof of the lively
trade that occurred between China and Southeast Asia, these
pieces continue to play an important role in the understanding
of Philippine history. Rita Tan curates a Millennium of Contact.
Crossroads of Civilizations opened to the public on May 1,
2008.
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies
9
Bulletin Board
BPI recognizes Unibank
Excellence winners
Sales Officer of the Year Eleanor Cube poses for a photo with
JAZA and BPI president Aurelio Montinola III
Continuing with its tradition of rewarding
and recognizing employees for their
contributions to the organization, the
Bank of the Philippine Islands held its 2007
Unibank Excellence Awards Night on March
25 at the BPI Head Office in Makati.
BPI chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and BPI
president Aurelio Montinola III handed the medallions
and certificates to the winners.
Celebrity Reema Chanco, formerly with BPI Call
Center, hosted the event.
The recipients of the 2007
Unibank Excellence Awards are:
Individual Awards
Eleanor Cube Jose Sampang Jr. Ruzzane Faith Rodelas Jovelyn Lacsamana Jomer Ocay Jose Freddie Sta. Cruz Aimee Socorro Ancheta Leazel Magadia Sales Officer of the Year
Service Officer of the
Year
Frontliner of the Year
Service Staff of the Year
Best Operations Officer
Best Operations Staff
Best Support Officer
Best Support Staff
Team Awards
Property Equity Credit Line Treasury Marketing BPI Bonifacio Global City
BFSB Las Piñas Pamplona Tres
BPI Davao Uyanguren branch
BPI SM Davao EBC Card Services Department Project Management Department Best Sales Unit
Product Management
Unit of the Year
Branch of the Year
Branch of the Year
Branch of the Year
Kiosk of the Year
Best Operations Unit
Best Support Unit
Special Awards
Fred Cortez BPI Express Mobile BPI Express Credit Real Thrills BPI Long Term Negotiable
Certificates of Deposit People Manager of the Year
Project of the Year
Product of the Year
Deal of the Year
ALAI agents make it to the
Million Dollar Round Table
Ayala Life Assurance Inc. (ALAI), the life insurance company
of BPI, produced eight qualifiers to the Million Dollar
Round Table (MDRT), breaking the record of six qualifiers
in 2001. The MDRT is the premier international association
of financial professionals in the life-insurance industry that
recognizes the best financial practitioners worldwide.
To be part of the prestigious organization is to be among
the top earners in the industry. Qualified members
would have earned at least $1 million in new business
sales commissions on top of all other commissions from
renewals and bonuses. Such a demanding benchmark
requires industry, persistence, and a high degree of
professionalism—qualities that characterize these top
agents of ALAI.
ALAI MDRT qualifiers include Alan Victoria of Makati,
Erlinda Pek of Cebu, Venus Sebastian of Cebu, Ma. Loida
Meimban of Caloocan, Catherine Michelle Bello of Makati,
Marilyn de Guzman of Caloocan, Mercedes Divinagracia of
Iloilo, and Myrna Ortiz of Makati.
Recognition rites were held on April 23 as part of the
Ayala Life Awards Night. The MDRT qualifiers were also
the recipients of a special Achievement Award, which was
presented by Emilio de Quiros, president of the Insurance
Group.
ALI produces first
sustainability report
As part of its commitment to sustainable land
development and to the strategic practice of
corporate social responsibility (CSR), Ayala
Land Inc. recenlty released its first-ever
sustainability report entitled Ayala Land
Communities: Raising the Standard of Sustainable
Living.
Photo shows JAZA (sixth from left) and BPI president Aurelio Montinola III (third from right) with the BPI Express Credit Real Thrills Team which won
the Product of the Year Award
Manila Water battalion sweeps military awards
for affiliated reservists
ALI’s sustainability report was prepared in January and
February 2008 using the G3 sustainability framework of the
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). As ALI’s first sustainability
report, it covers initial sustainability actions and CSR
activities in land use and development in 2007, along with
selected efforts from 2006 that the company leveraged
on to show its progressive transition towards a more
strategically aligned sustainability practice. Hard copies of
the report are available for limited distribution. The online
version, however, may be downloaded and viewed at www.
ayalaland.com.ph.
The report is officially registered with the GRI, which is the
most comprehensive and credible set of CSR/sustainability
performance disclosure standards. Based in Amsterdam,
the GRI Secretariat develops and disseminates a generally
accepted framework for reporting information absent from
conventional financial reports.
In 2005, Manila Water released its first sustainability report
based on the G2 version of the GRI Guidelines. ALI is the
first Philippine company to produce a report based on the
G3 version of the guidelines.
Photo shows the jubilant officers and members of the 503rd WSBn of Manila Water led by Commander Lt. Col. Ruel Maranan (standing, tenth from right,
partly hidden) after the awarding ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo
The 503rd Water Service Battalion (WSBn) of Manila Water Company recently received four awards
from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command (AFPRESCOM).
At the awarding ceremony held at Camp General Aguinaldo
in Quezon City, Manila Water was hailed the Best Affiliated
Reserve Unit of the Year out of 19 affiliated units. The award
was based on the battalion’s outstanding accomplishments
for 2007 in terms of providing support to Manila Water’s
sustainable development, business continuity, and Sagip
Buhay emergency-response initiatives. The awarding coincided
with the celebration of the AFPRESCOM’s 15th anniversary.
Manila Water group director for Human Resources and 503rd
WSBn commander Lt. Col. Ruel Maranan was named Best
Affiliated Reserve Field Grade Officer. Capt. Fernando Mercado
and M. Sgt. Judith Cadapan were adjudged the Best Affiliated
Reserve Company Grade Officer and Best AFP Affiliated Reserve
Unit Enlisted Personnel of the Year.
Composed of nearly 230 volunteer employees from Manila
Water, the 503rd WSBn has received various awards and
citations over the years. These include the Military Merit Medal
and Military Commendation Medals, as well as commendations
from the AFP Reserve Command.
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VOLUME 12, NUMBER 2 > MARCH-APRIL 2008
Ayala Cares
Globe supports Filipino entrepreneurs
Globe recently lauded Quezon City (QC) mayor
Feliciano Belmonte Jr. for promoting community
entrepreneurship through his flagship program
Puhunang Pangkaunlaran sa Sikap Buhay
Program, which provides collateral-free credit for
small entrepreneurs.
Under the Sikap Buhay Entrepreneurship and Cooperative
Office (SB ECO), Mayor Belmonte launched the program on
April 16, 2002 with 248 members and a seed loan of P3 million
from the National Livelihood Support Fund (NLSF). PPSB fully
repaid the P3 million loan only 13 months after the program
was launched.
Under this lending scheme, borrowers are required to
organize themselves into groups of five or six, with each
member in effect being a guarantor of the loans of the other
members. In case of a default, the remaining members
assume the responsibility for repaying the balance of the loan
contracted by their co-member. Relying on peer pressure
rather than on collateral, this scheme has resulted in a highly
impressive 100% loan repayment record for the program.
With funds provided to seven conduit cooperatives, SB ECO
has assisted more than 40,000 micro-entrepreneurs in the last
six years to access capital loans, develop their entrepreneurial
capabilities, and promote entrepreneurship mindset and
values.
Mayor Belmonte’s efforts to alleviate poverty through job
generation and livelihood programs like the PPSB match
Globe’s vision to empower small entrepreneurs, leading Globe
to partner with the mayor and the local government for the
development of more programs for small entrepreneurs.
One of these programs for small entrepreneurs is the
Quezon City Entrepreneurs’ Summit which aims to recognize
successful small entrepreneurs. It also serves as a venue
for these small entrepreneurs to showcase their products
through a fair and an exhibit.
The summit also involves the participation of microfinance
partners and educational institutions that have provided
capital loans and training
to some of QC’s small
entrepreneurs.
In this year’s summit,
four outstanding
entrepreneurs were
chosen by the local
government of QC
as winners of the
Successful Entrepreneur
award: Anabelle Fiesta,
carinderia owner, beauty
products direct seller,
and taxi operator; Editha
Macabudbod, junk shop
and sari-sari store owner;
Honorata Dequilla
Samadio, dishwashing
liquid maker, sari-sari
store and lugawan
owner; and Maritess
Manobo, handicrafts
subcontractor.
Among the four winners, Maritess Manobo (third from left) receives the Globe Masigasig Award for her outstanding entrepreneurial drive
Globe chose Manobo as
in the recently concluded QC Entrepreneurs’ Summit. With her are (from left) Sikap Buhay Entrepreneurship and
Cooperative Office head La Rainne Abad-Sarmiento, Globe Business sales head for corporate and SME segments
the Masigasig awardee
Ronald Roldan, QC mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Globe Business segment marketing manager Michelle Perlas, and QC
for best exemplifying
the Masigasig attributes: vice mayor Herbert Bautista
determination,
persistence, and a strong sense of direction. Globe honors
With people like Fiesta, Macabudbod, Samadio, and Manobo,
these values, as well as Manobo’s resiliency in the face of
Globe believes that it is only a matter of time before other
challenge, her creativity in business, and her contribution to
people start taking matters into their own hands to improve
nation-building by generating jobs. As a Masigasig awardee,
their economic situations. As long as there are Filipinos
Globe awarded Manobo a plaque of recognition and a Globe
who are willing to take the plunge into entrepreneurship,
phone kit.
Globe will be ready to provide products and services that are
relevant to the people.
Manobo produces different types of handicrafts to sell to big
export companies. It is Manobo’s dream, however, to develop
a company which will be a venue for her to export the crafts
directly to foreign buyers.
Ayala Museum hosts free art
workshops at Greenbelt
As part of the 2008 Summer Art Workshops at
Greenbelt, the Ayala Museum, together with
Ayala Malls, presented Day with an Artist, a series
of free workshops conducted for the public on
April 5, 12, and 26 at Greenbelt 3 Park.
Children and adults were introduced to collaborative art as
they worked with artists from Ilustrador ng Kabataan (INK),
Manikako, and WeeWillDoodle. The workshop series gave
Greenbelt clients the opportunity to enjoy art and harness
their artistic talents.
INK, an artists’ group dedicated to the creation and
promotion of illustrations for children, opened the
workshop series on April 5. INK’s roster of instructors
included full-time and freelance illustrators, graphic
designers, painters, teachers, and students. The group
1.3M people from
low-income groups
benefit from TPSB
taught the participants various techniques in illustrating
pictures for children.
Manikako, a flagship project of the House of Comfort Art
Network, was featured on April 12. The House of Comfort
Art Network is a non-profit organization committed to
hosting free art workshops to marginalized communities
by teaching them how to make dolls from donated closet
clutter. The name Manikako implies the “deep and personal
relationship these dolls inspire.” Participants had a hands-on
experience in creating dolls at the workshop.
WeeWillDoodle is a group of artists who believe in “the
power of doodling.” They harness the raw power of
spontaneous ideas and capture them in different mediums.
Held on April 26, the workshop session with WeeWillDoodle
gave the participants insights into the free-flowing world of
doodling.
Barangay Western Bicutan in Taguig City is one of the communities that
benefited from the TPSB-GPOBA project
Manila Water’s flagship program, Tubig Para Sa
Barangay (TPSB), now provides uninterrupted
supply of potable water to more than 1.3 million
people from low-income groups in the East Zone.
TPSB started in 1998 shortly after the state-owned
Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS)
was privatized. It was designed to give the urban poor and
informal settlers access to clean water. The program aims to
provide each household with its own water connection so as
to do away with communal faucets where residents would
line up for hours with their jerry cans just to get water.
To date, Manila Water has completed more than 650 TPSB
projects in various parts of Quezon City, Marikina, Pasig,
Pateros, Taguig, San Juan, Mandaluyong, and Makati, as
well as San Mateo, Rodriguez, Cainta, Antipolo, Taytay, and
Binangonan in Rizal Province.
This year, Manila Water will further intensify efforts to achieve
the goal of its flagship program, with the support of the
Global Partnership for Output-Based Aid (GPOBA) of the
World Bank. It has also installed toilets in Baybay Sapa in San
Mateo, Rizal, as a component of the GPOBA grant.
Participants of the Manikako workshop proudly show their personalized creations
Currently, Manila Water is looking into the feasibility of
providing after-the-meter rehabilitation services, especially
in depressed communities where water lines are prone to
contamination because of their proximity to creeks and
drainages.
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies
11
Bulletin Board
Timezone launches TriNoma branch with celebrities
Timezone recently launched its biggest branch
in TriNoma Mall. Gracing the occasion were
Timezone president Raffy Prats Jr. and local
young actors, Valeen Montenegro, Aldred
Gatchalian, AJ Dee, Victor Basa, and Maui
Taylor, who tried their hands at Timezone’s
exciting games.
Timezone mascot Mr. Tee roamed the area on his bicycle,
welcoming and entertaining guests. Meanwhile, Timezone’s
TeeZee Band entertained the audience with rock and roll
music.
With the latest games and top-of-the-line facilities, Timezone
TriNoma promises to be a wholesome entertainment
destination in Northern Manila for the entire family.
Ayala Systems
now a MySQL
Enterprise Gold
partner
Ayala Systems
Technology, Inc.
(ASTI) recently
entered into a
partnership with
MySQL—one of the
leading database
solution providers
in the global
market today. ASTI
is officially
an Enterprise Gold
Partner, the highest
partnership level in MySQL’s partnership model under the
MySQL’s Enterprise Connection Alliance (MECA) Program.
Leisure & Allied Industries-Philippines management team led by
Timezone Philippines president Raffy Prats Jr. (fourth from right) and
young celebrities cut the ribbon at the launching of Timezone TriNoma
Guest celebrities have a fun time with Timezone’s bumper cars
“This accomplishment further enhances ASTI’s position as one
of the premier open source technology
companies in the country today.” said
ASTI president Erwin Locsin.
MECA was created to support
business partners that build, sell, and
service solutions through the MySQL
enterprise technology platform.
Joining the MECA Program enables
MySQL’s partners to grow their
business and attract new customers
using innovative and leading MySQL
technologies. “This partnership formalizes the
advanced competencies of Ayala
Systems in developing, supporting
and maintaining MySQL-based
enterprise and critical applications for
our international customers in Japan
and in Europe” said ASTI Technology
Services Division director Jun Lasco.
“Truly, this partnership between ASTI
and MySQL is a major milestone in the
20-year history of the company and I
am very proud of it,” Lasco added.
About ASTI
ASTI is a Philippine-based technology
infrastructure and services provider
with a 2007 record revenue of
P400 million—one of the highest
among Philippine IT companies. Ayala
Systems was established in 1988 as
the Ayala group’s subsidiary in the
information technology industry.
Today, ASTI provides a wide range of
products and services, such as systems
integration, global resourcing, offshore
software development, incubation
support services, and business process
outsourcing, among many others.
ASTI is now aggressively pursuing
the international market and has
recently established its presence in
Japan, the USA, and Europe. About MySQL
MySQL is a popular open source
database software, with over 100
million copies downloaded or
distributed throughout its history. With
its superior speed, reliability, and ease
of use, MySQL has become the choice
of many users because it eliminates
the major problems associated
with downtime, maintenance, and
administration for modern online
applications. MySQL is a key part of
LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP /
Perl / Python), the fast-growing open
source enterprise software stack. The
MySQL database is owned, developed
and supported by Sun Microsystems,
one of the world’s largest contributors
to open source software
development.
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VOLUME 12, NUMBER 2 > MARCH-APRIL 2008
Bulletin Board
Bravo Filipino
pays tribute to
Philippine fashion
As part of the Bravo Filipino celebration, the Ayala group
of companies staged a fashion show in March honoring
designers who have helped define Philippine fashion.
Filipino fashion design icons—such as Auggie Cordero,
Patis Tesoro, Aureo Alonso, Pitoy Moreno, Ben Farrales,
and Noli Hans—paraded their ensembles on the runway.
A special segment of the program also showcased the
works of the Greenbelt 5 designers, with familiar names
like Amina Aranaz, Arnel Papa, Jun Escario, Ana Rocha, Lulu
Tan Gan, and Kate Torralba taking center stage. Emerging
artists in the fashion scene, namely, Gian Romero, James
Reyes, Jerome Lorico, John Herrera, Martin Bautista, Melissa
Dizon, and Regine Dulay also displayed their works during
the event.
Pitoy Moreno
Noli Hans
Patis Tesoro
Aureo Alonso
Ben Farrales
Bravo Filipino
hosts Lesley Mobo
homecoming fashion
show
London-based designer Lesley Mobo found his way
back to home soil on March 27 in a special fashion
show, titled Bravo Filipino Presents Lesley Mobo.
The event was held at The Gallery in Greenbelt 5 and
featured what Mobo called his Matavenero New Tribe
collection.
Lesley Mobo
Attending the event were officials and friends of the
Ayala group and other special guests. The fashion show
was one of the main events of the Bravo Filipino festival.
Hailing from the province of Aklan, Mobo is
currently one of the top Filipino fashion designers
who have succeeded in establishing their names
internationally. From being a small-town boy, he
worked conscientiously, earning for himself a First Class
BA Honors in Fashion from Central Saint Martin’s, and
eventually becoming the head designer for the Jasmine
di Milo label.
His designs are inspired by street culture, biology, and
the hip underground fashion scene. They are meant
to “heighten everyday, practical, urban styles into
directional, avant-garde, contemporary, and cuttingedge pieces.”
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies
13
Bulletin Board
Photographers
showcase their work
in Shared Moods
Nine Filipino photographers recently showcased some
of their best work in an exhibit entitled 9 Photographers:
Shared Moods. More than 50 full-color and black-and-white
photographs were featured in the show, which ran from
March 26 to April 7 at Greenbelt 3 and from April 8 to April 15
at Greenbelt 5, Makati City.
The exhibit was a part of the Ayala group’s Bravo Filipino
series, which honored the achievements of Filipino
artists in the areas of music, fashion, and the visual arts.
Ayala chairman emeritus Jaime Zobel de Ayala, himself a
photographer, handpicked the nine participating talents.
Each of the pictures on display in Shared Moods did not
simply aim to capture an image, color, or shape, but also to
evoke a specific mood or emotion. “I hope my photographs
will move you through the eloquence of serenity, solace, and
silence—as sacred as prayer; and by the power of that certain
slant of light reflecting not just a mood but a state of being,”
said former Camera Club of the Philippines president Ernie
Fajardo.
Also featured in the exhibit were photographs taken by
JZA’s daughter-in-law Kit Zobel, who is an active volunteer
with the Ayala Foundation’s Center for Excellence in Public
Elementary Education (CENTEX). In an interview, Kit Zobel
said she considers herself a neophyte, and although she’s
had a digital SLR camera for years, it had mostly been set
to “automatic.” When she finally enrolled in photography
classes, her passion for photography grew. “Now I see photos
everywhere I look,” she said.
The other photographers featured in Shared Moods were
Quincy Castillo, Emil Davocol, Frankie Callaghan, Peachy
Concepcion, Johann Espiritu, Pancho Escaler, and Gabby
Lacuesta.
Coming from different fields and approaching the art
of photography from different perspectives, these
photographers brought to the exhibit a variety of subjects
and techniques.
For instance, Davocol, who received praise for taking Asia’s
best photograph in 1976 and is a past president of the
Camera Club of the Philippines, specializes in still-life images.
Meanwhile, 27-year-old Callaghan, who became a full-time
fine-art photographer after working as an investment banker,
likes taking nighttime shots. “I like how it is quiet, and how
the dark can play with the way that space feels,” he said. “It
hides some things and reveals others.”
Fajardo, also a past president of the Camera Club, favors stilllife subjects, landscapes, and old buildings. For the exhibit,
he chose to show pictures of old churches.
Escaler, a former Advertising Photographers of the
Philippines director, said of photography, “My fulfillment lies
in capturing that moment when the inner light, that beauty
from within, is revealed. It is a shared moment between
photographer and subject. A photograph becomes an
affirmation and a reminder of who we are and what we are
capable of becoming.”
14
VOLUME 12, NUMBER 2 > MARCH-APRIL 2008
Bulletin Board
Appreciation Dinner
Himig Collection: An Exhibit
in Ayala Center Cebu
concludes Bravo Filipino
As the culminating activity for the Bravo Filipino celebration,
the Ayala group of companies brought Himig Collection: An
Exhibit to Ayala Center Cebu from April 21 to 27, 2008. The
same exhibit of contemporary and vintage Filipino records
was displayed in Glorietta, Trinoma, Market! Market!, and
Alabang Town Center.
Bravo Filipino CD
It is next to impossible to imagine our lives
without music. For centuries, music has been
integral to Philippine culture as an expression of
our triumphs and tribulations. Music brings us
together, breathing life into our history and our
notion of what it means to be Filipino.
we are actually being invited to take joy in these songs, to
discover the common threads among the musical genres, to
revel in how these have influenced each other over the years
and shaped our music into what it is today.
As we listen, we are reminded that we have a genuine
musical heritage we can be proud of, something uniquely
Filipino, something that sings to us and speaks for us.
The Bravo Filipino festival paid tribute to the prodigious
and internationally recognized musical talent of the
Filipino, and this landmark collection
celebrates the ingenuity reflected
in our musical heritage.
Representative of the genres
comprising our music tradition—
indigenous, classical, folk, and
modern—these
songs
are
a
soundtrack of Filipino life. This
collection cuts across time and
space: from the precolonial to the
present, from one region to the next.
These fresh renditions by some of our
country’s finest musicians highlight
the dynamic nature of Original Pilipino
Music, beautifully blending the best of
the past and the best of the present.
As we listen, we will recognize some of
these pieces and yet find them new. We
will discover pieces we’ve never heard
before and come to know ourselves
better.
When we are invited to listen to the songs
with our bodies, hearts, and imagination,
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies
15
Bulletin Board
AGC Docket
HEAT 2008 lends motorists a hand
This year, Honda Cars Makati, Inc. (HCMI) once again provided assistance to motorists during the Holy Week.
Honda Cars Makati Inc., in cooperation with Total
Philippines Corporation and San Miguel Corporation,
formed the Honda Emergency Assistance Team (HEAT)
2008 to provide assistance to motorists during the Holy
Week. The project was launched at the Bonifacio Global
City.
From March 19 to 20 and March 22 to 23, associates from
Honda Cars Makati Inc. were on standby at Total Gas
stations to provide on-site travel aid to motorists taking
key routes, which included Tagaytay City, Cavite; Lucena
City, Quezon Province; and Sto. Tomas, Batangas.
“Through this project, we will be able to show our
customers how Honda is committed to providing them
with excellent customer service and making them feel
that we are ready to assist in emergency situations that
may take place, “ said Honda Cars Makati Inc. president
and general manager Hiroshi Shimizu. “Honda is also
ready to serve customers anywhere they go.”
HEAT 2008 launched its motorist-assistance project at the Bonifacio Global City. Present at the launch were (standing, from left) Honda Cars Makati
Inc. president and general manager Hiroshi Shimizu, service technician Roger Sumera, service advisor Norman Fabian, mechanical training staff
Michael Salomon, service manager Arnulfo Tamayo, senior assistant vice president for parts and service Danny Pedro, (kneeling, from left) parts
associate Tony Peregrina, and service technician Roy Villadolid
FHL launches book on Boholano built heritage
Photo shows (from left) Ino Manalo, Augusto Villalon, Rosario
Encarnacion, Lucas Nunag, Congressman Edgar Chatto, Doña Bea
Zobel, FHL director Maritoni Ortigas, and Viksi Egan at the forum held in
Tagbiliaran City
The campaign to preserve heritage structures in Bohol
received a boost with the launching on April 15 of the
Filipinas Heritage Library’s (FHL) newest publication, Sukaran:
The Domestic Architecture of the Towns of Loay and Loboc in
Bohol in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
The publication, which celebrates the architectural heritage
of Bohol, was conceptualized by Beatriz Zobel Jr. and written
by Bohol’s resident historian Marianito Luspo and cultural
worker Ino Manalo.
EVENTS@AYALA MUSEUM
Simon de la Rosa Flores (1839-1902)
March 31-May 25
Third Floor Gallery
Kisame: Visions of Heaven on Earth
(in celebration of National Heritage
Month)
May 27-July 20
Ground Floor Gallery
Sukaran defines heritage structures not only in grandiose
terms, inasmuch as the book also focuses heavily on
humble examples of domestic architecture. Aside from
showcasing the various designs found in Boholano houses
and churches, Sukaran was also created “to promote
Philippine architecture and workmanship, especially
among entrepreneurs who continue to privilege foreign
examples when building tourism facilities in Bohol and
other travel destinations in the country,” Beatriz Zobel Jr.
said.
Complementing the book launch was a forum entitled
“Architecture of Place: Putting Bohol in its Tourism
Infrastructures and Facilities.” Held at Metro Centre,
Tagbilaran City on April 16, the forum featured architects
Augusto Villalon and Rosario Encarnacion as speakers,
and House of Representatives’ Committee on Tourism
chairperson Edgar Chatto and resort owner Lucas Nunag
as panelists.
EVENTS@FILIPINAS HERITAGE LIBRARY
Digital 101: Photography and the Computer
May 19, 20, 22, 26, and 27, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Digital Photography for Young Shutterbugs
Kids aged 7 to 12: May 3, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Teens aged 13 to 17: May 17, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Digital Photography for Point-and-Shoot Camera Users
May 24, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
YA Write!
A Writing Workshop for Young Adults
May 20, 22, 27, and 30, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Art and Writing
June 7, 14, 21, and 28 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m
For more information, please call 7577117 to
21 or visit www.ayalamuseum.org
Sukaran is now available at the Libros Bookshop of the
Filipinas Heritage Library, Makati Avenue, Ayala Triangle,
Makati City. For more information, please call 8921801
4VLBSBO
Arc hite ctu re
l
Th e Do me stic
Lo bo c in Bo ho
of Lo ay an d
of the To wn s
The forum was organized by FHL in collaboration with the
provincial government of Bohol and Holy Name University.
Write Right
An Effective Business Writing Workshop
May 17, 24, and 31, 2:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
The Other Luna: Paintings from the Bank
of the Philippine Islands Collection
Oil studies from the Bank of the Philippine
Islands Collection
June 9-August 31
Third Floor Gallery
HEAT has been providing assistance during the Lenten
Season since 1993. Aside from Total and San Miguel, Heat
2008 was also supported by Denso, Motolite, Yokohama,
Kenwood, and Suburbia Automotive Ventures Inc.
Writing Biographies
June 7 and 21, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
How to Read a Film
A One-Day Visual Storytelling Workshop
June 21, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Please call 8921801, email events@filipinaslibrary.org.ph, or visit www.
filipinaslibrary.org.ph for the latest information on FHL workshops and events
1
EDITORIAL BOARD
Publisher Victoria Garchitorena
Editor-in-Chief Maritoni Ortigas
Editorial Consultants Emi de Lara, Jones Campos
Managing Editor Alex Gregorio
Deputy Managing Editor Michelle Villafania
Assistant Editor Janella Cacdac-Siena
Graphic Designer Izza Lambino
Advertising Manager Ciela Cayton
Advertising Assistant Jennifer Bascoguin
Digital Imagist Jaime Martinez
Correspondents
Ayala Aviation Felipe Villanueva
Ayala Business Club Carole Guamen
Ayala Corporation Janella Cacdac-Siena
Ayala Foundation, Inc. Michelle Villafania
Ayala Land, Inc. Paulo Campos
Ayala Property Management Corp. Christine Lim-Siruelo
Ayala Systems Technology, Inc. Genesis Bautista
Bank of the Philippine Islands Reena Dungca
Globe Telecom Marigold Endriga
Honda Cars Makati, Inc. Monina Macavinta
HRMall, Inc. Gabby Mejia
Integrated Microelectronics, Inc. Fred Blancas
Isuzu Automotive Dealership, Inc. Monette Gaela
Manila Water Company Carla May Beriña-Kim
Timezone Ana Cardenas-Benitez
Editorial Office
Filipinas Heritage Library
Makati Avenue, Ayala Triangle
Makati City 1224, Philippines
Telephone (632) 892-1801 local 14
Facsimile (632) 892-1810
Email AyalaNow@filipinaslibrary.org.ph
URL www.ayala.com.ph/ayala.now