Ernie Lopez up close

July 2005
LOPEZ GROUP
1st Badminton
Tournament
Contact your HR representative
before July 7, 2005
See page 10 for details
A desk job like no other
Ernie Lopez up close
By Lianne R. Padilla
OML first Filipino to
receive German award...p4
ONE of the many companies that make up the ABS-CBN group is
ABS-CBN Publishing. It has a powerhouse roster of publications--Metro, Working Mom, Food, Chalk, Pink, Metro Active,
Metro Home and Entertaining, Metro Society, StarStudio, The
Buzz and Him—all of which helped shape the Philippine publishing industry.
At the helm of ABS-CBN Publishing as president is Ernesto
Miguel "Ernie" L. Lopez, a natural-born athlete who learned the
ropes of publishing through first-hand experience. From the actual
delivery of copies to dealers to burning the midnight oil to beat
production deadlines, Ernie paid attention to what the business
is all about and took it to heart.
Read and get to know the man himself:
Turn to page 6
Lopez Group service
awardees... p12
PHOTO BY EDWIN TUYAY
Was publishing something that was given to
you or was it something you really wanted?
It was my dad who got me into it in 1992.
I was working in a bank before, till my dad
pointed me in this direction. One day he
just asked me, "Why don't you do this?"
I said, okay, and it turned out that I
liked it.
What is it about publishing that
you like?
It's the people I work with;
they're an interesting bunch.
They have their own statement. Publishing per se is a
very interesting business
because teamwork is essential, there's no way
that what one person
Ernesto Miguel "Ernie" L. Lopez used to work in a bank, but liked the switch to a publishing company
Remembering Don Eñing
(LOPEZ Link remembers Don Eugenio "Eñing" Hofileña Lopez on the occasion of his
104th birth anniversary on July 20.)
DON Eugenio "Eñing" Lopez belonged to
the Hofileña and Lopez clans of sugar
planters, the elder of the two sons of Governor
Benito Lopez and Presentacion Hofileña.
Eñing was only six years old when his father, then in his early thirties, was shot to death
on the orders of a political opponent. While his
father's murder must have been traumatic for
the young boy, the subject was something he
avoided discussing for most of his life. What is
certain is that it didn't stop Eñing and his
brother Fernando, or Nanding, from persevering in their studies and eventually becoming
successful and admired businessmen not only
in the Philippines but also in other parts of the
world.
Turn to page 8
2
LOPEZLINK July 2005
Meralco files 14.76-centavo/kWh rate adjustment
To fund capital projects, gain reasonable RORB
By Jose Zaldarriaga
MERALCO filed for an average
rate adjustment of 14.76 centavos
per kilowatt-hour before the Energy Regulatory Commission
(ERC) on May 31, 2005, 1.2 centavos higher than the 13.58-centavo per kWh increase the power
firm applied for in October
2003.
The 2003 application was recently withdrawn by Meralco at
the ERC.
The company' s actual returnon-rate base or RORB for the
year 2004 was down to 11.96%,
or 8.13% after income tax. This is
much lower than its weighted av-
erage cost of capital or WACC as
determined by the ERC.
In a May 30, 2003 order, the
ERC allowed Meralco an RORB
of 15.5% based on its WACC for
2000. Following the same process used by ERC in its computation, Meralco computed its
WACC for test year 2004 at
15.93%. The 14.76-centavo increase will merely enable Meralco to push up its RORB to reach
its WACC for 2004.
In its petition, Meralco said its
inability to attain a reasonable
RORB and generate the corresponding level of revenues have
adversely affected its capability
to fund required capital projects,
prejudicing the integrity of its
electric system.
Since year 2000, the company's proposed yearly budget for
capital projects have been cut by
an average of 40% due to financial constraints. Due to these reductions, the company was unable to correct certain system deficiencies or to provide additional
distribution capacity.
It will be recalled that on October 10, 2003, Meralco filed before the ERC an application for a
13.58-centavo rate hike. On
November 7, 2003, the ERC
granted Meralco provisional approval for a 12-centavo average
increase effective January 2004.
The Supreme Court in a status
quo order dated January 13, 2004
stopped implementation of the rate
hike. On June 15, 2004, the High
Court annulled the ERC's provisional approval and advised Meralco to start with a clean slate.
The proposed increase will be
reflected as adjustments to the
distribution, supply and metering
charge components of the unbundled bill. Even with the increase,
the combined Meralco charges
will be less than 18% of the average Meralco bill.
"We would like to assure our
lifeline consumers, or those consuming within 100 kWh/month,
that they will not feel the full brunt
of the rate adjustment. Lifeline
users, which number around 1.55
million as of April this year, represent around 36.5% of the total
number of customers. These customers enjoy monthly discounts
ranging from 20% to 50% of their
monthly bill," said VP for Utility
Economics Ivanna de la Peña.
VP for Corporate Communication Elpi O. Cuna, Jr. added that
Meralco customers who were
charged the 12-centavo rate hike
prior to the Supreme Court's status quo order will be refunded.
These customers, numbering
around 1.8 million, will have
their refund in full reflected in
their bills starting July 1, 2005.
First Gen bond offer Maynilad rehab aprubado na
umabot ng P5B
PINAYAGAN ng Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC)
ang First Generation Corporation
o First Gen na itaas ang bond offering nito sa halagang P5 bilyon
mula sa P3.5 bilyon dahil sa
malakas na demand para rito.
Ang five-year senior notes ay
may taglay na coupon rate na
11 . 5 % a t m a g m a - m a t u r e s a
2010.
Inulat na nakatanggap ng
malakas na "indications of interest" sa mga nasabing bond
mula sa retail sector ang ING
Bank N.V., book runner at joint
lead manager para sa bond offering.
Risks from contracts
tackled in lawyers' meet
THE Lopez Group Risk Management Committee (LG-RMC) recently conducted a one-day seminar on
"Management of Risks Arising from
Contracts" for lawyers affiliated
with Lopez companies.
Resource persons Patricia Tan
Openshaw and Manuel Colayco of
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &
Flom LLP & Affiliates discussed
contract and contract formation, including legal risk management, general risks in contracts, mergers and
acquisitions agreements and project
finance agreements.
Lopez Group chairman Oscar M.
Lopez (OML), who graced the seminar opening, thanked the speakers
for sharing their expertise with
Lopez in-house counsels.
Openshaw and Colayco's law
firm has been engaged as external
counsel by various Lopez companies, such as First Generation Cor-
poration, First Philippine Holdings
Corp. (FPHC), Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC), Maynilad Water Services Inc. (MWSI) and Benpres Holdings.
Risk management, which includes the identification and analysis of legal risks, is one of the corporate initiatives being pursued by
the Lopez Group under OML.
Elaine Gonzaga of Meralco presented the company's IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) Implementation Contracts
Review project. This was undertaken to identify embedded derivatives
as part of Meralco's compliance
with International Accounting Standards (IAS) 39 and 32.
The LG-RMC is headed by Atty.
Rommel Duran while the seminar
team is composed of Enrique Quiason, Rod Salazar and Marvi
Marcelino. (Carla Paras-Sison)
Inaprubahan ng Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 90
noong Hunyo 1 ang 2005 Rehabilitation Plan na isinumite ng
Maynilad noong Abril 29.
Pumirma ang Metropolitan
Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), ang Maynilad, ang
Maynilad shareholders at lahat ng
Maynilad bank creditors sa isang
Debt and Capital Restructuring
Agreement (DCRA) upang mabi-
gyang-daan ang financial rehabilitation ng water utility.
"The processes necessary to
implement the 2005 Rehabilitation Plan are expected to be completed in the next three months,"
sabi ni Angel S. Ong, president at
COO ng Benpres Holdings.
Sa ilalim ng DCRA, pumayag
ang Benpres Holdings, shareholder
ng Maynilad, na i-write off ang equity nito na nagkakahalaga ng P3.06
bilyon at advances na P621 milyon,
at isusuko ang pamamahala sa Maynilad. Ang bank creditors naman ay
sumang-ayon na i-release ang Benpres sa corporate guarantees na may
halagang US$150 milyon.
Magiging pag-aari ng MWSS
ang 84% ng Maynilad.
Sinimulan ang court-assisted
financial rehabilitation ng Maynilad noong Nobyembre 2003.
(Carla Paras-Sison)
Maynilad debt and capital
restructuring plan set in motion
THE approved Maynilad 2005
Revised Rehabilitation Plan,
which Judge Reynaldo Daway of
the QC RTC Branch 90 ruled in
June was feasible, will pave the
way for the execution of the debt
and capital restructuring plan
agreed upon by creditors.
"It would be manifestly unreasonable to sustain the opposition
to the rehabilitation plan, since the
proponents of the opposition were
not able to present any alternative
and viable rehabilitation plan before the Court," Daway said.
The judge found merit in the
recommendation of receiver Atty.
Rosario Bernaldo that "the sooner
Maynilad takes off on rehabilitation, the better for all stakeholders, especially for the customers
whose near-term benefit is the
uninterrupted supply of water
service and the long-term benefit
being the attainment of a reasonable and affordable Tariff Rate
Schedule."
The capital restructuring effectively makes the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System
(MWSS) the majority shareholder
in Maynilad with 84%. Lyonnaise
Asia Water Ltd. will remain as
shareholder and will subscribe to
additional capital of 16%.
Meanwhile, Maynilad president Fiorello Estuar, in a message
to employees, said there is no need
to implement major changes in the
present operating procedures during the transition period.
"The good merits and results
of our management initiatives
will be the best assurance that the
practices we have adapted will be
preserved and sustained for the
long term," Estuar added.
Maynilad legal counsel Atty.
Helena Calo of Puno & Puno
Law Offices said that the employees will remain as employees of
Maynilad, although MWSS has
the prerogative to undertake a reorganization in the management.
"Whether or not MWSS will
exercise this right to reorganize is
a matter that only MWSS can determine," Calo said.
For the purpose of debt restructuring, the SBLC Banks, the Bridge
Banks and the Peso Lenders will be
entitled to upfront payments of
US$26.4 million, US$3.9 million
and P100 million, respectively. Remaining balances will be consolidated into one facility that is classified into the US Dollar Tranche
(to mature on December 31, 2012)
and the Peso Tranche (to mature on
December 31, 2013).
To set the rehab plan in motion,
Judge Daway ordered the sponsors
(Benpres Holdings and Ondeo) and
the government (MWSS) to submit
to the court the approval of the
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)
and the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) to implement
pertinent portions of the debt and
capital restructuring as set forth in
the April 29, 2005 agreement.
‘Benpres, umaangat’
SINABI ni Benpres Holdings Corporation
chairman Oscar M. Lopez (OML) na malapit
nang malutas ng Benpres ang mga suliraning
hinarap nito ng mga nakaraang taon.
Sa 2005 annual stockholders' meeting ng
Benpres, sinabi ni OML na bagama't nalugi
ang Benpres ng P1.36 bilyon noong 2004,
maraming magandang developments sa operating units nito, kabilang na ang pagsimula ng
commercial operations ng bagong North Luzon Expressway, halos siyam na taon pagkatapos mapirmahan ang kontrata para rito.
Maganda rin ang naging performance ng
First Philippine Holdings Corporation
(FPHC) dahil sa mahusay na operasyon ng
First Gen Corporation. Inaasahang patuloy
na magiging maayos ang takbo ng First Gen
habang isinasagawa nito ang mga proyekto
sa power generation, fuel logistics at services.
Nairaos na rin ng BayanTel at Beyond Cable
ang kani-kanilang financial restructuring exercises. Noong 2004, inaprubahan ng hukuman
ang corporate rehabilitation ng BayanTel at
pumirma naman ng debt restructuring agreement ang Beyond Cable at ang creditors nito.
Higit sa lahat, nagkaroon na ng kalutasan
ang isyu ng Maynilad nang inaprubahan ng
Quezon City Regional Trial Court ang financial
rehabilitation nito noong Hunyo. Dahil dito,
sinabi ni OML na ang restructuring program ng
Benpres ay lalong mas "workable" ngayon.
Samantala, kailangang i-monitor ng Benpres
ang performance ng ABS-CBN dahil sa pagkawala ng leadership nito sa TV ratings sa Mega
Manila, dahilan ng matumal na pagpasok ng advertising sa flagship station, ang Channel 2.
Bagama't nangunguna pa rin ang ABSCBN sa TV ratings sa key provincial cities
tulad ng Cebu, Davao, General Santos,
Lopez Group employees,
masaya sa trabaho
Mataas ang job satisfaction ng mga nagtratrabaho sa Lopez Group
of companies, ayon sa resulta ng WorkPhilippines, bahagi ng regionwide survey ng Watson Wyatt na sinagutan ng iba't ibang
bansa sa Asia Pacific.
Lumahok sa survey ang mga empleyado ng 17 Lopez companies, kasama ang Meralco, Maynilad, First Philippine Holdings Corporation at subsidiaries nito at ang Benpres Holdings
Corporation.
Sa pangkalahatan, mataas ang natamong scores ng Lopez
Group companies sa larangan ng commitment, alignment at enablement.
Mataas ang level of commitment ng mga empleyado sa kumpanya sa rating na 137, kumpara sa Philippine average na 116 at sa
Asia Pacific base na 100. Halos lahat ay nagsabi na sila ay "proud
to work for the company," may confidence sa long-term success
nito at mananatili sa kumpanya kahit na may kaparehong trabaho
na maging available sa iba. Kuntento ang karamihan sa kanilang
work environment kaya mataas ang level of commitment.
Naka-align din ang goals at actions ng mga empleyado sa
goals ng mga kumpanya. Nauunawaan nila kung ano ang bahagi
na ginagampanan nila sa operasyon at pag-unlad ng kumpanya
at alam nila ang kalagayang pinansiyal nito. Ang rating ng
Lopez Group sa alignment ay 127 kumpara sa 120 sa Pilipinas at
100 sa Asia Pacific.
Sa enablement, nakamit ng Lopez Group ang rating na 142
kumpara sa 126 sa Pilipinas at 100 na base ng Asia Pacific. Ibig sabihin, alam ng mga empleyado ang mga kasanayan o skill na kailangan upang maging successful sa kumpanya. Marami rin ang
nagsabing natatanggap nila ang kaalaman o impormasyon na kailangan nila upang magawa ng mabuti ang kani-kanilang trabaho.
Mahigit na 2,000 empleyado at pitumpung kumpanya sa
Pilipinas, kasama na ang Lopez companies, ang naging bahagi
ng WorkPhilippines.
Legazpi, Zamboanga at Cagayan de Oro,
nagsisikap itong mabawi ang unang puwesto
sa Mega Manila upang mapagtibay ang pangunahing posisyon nito nationwide.
Pinasalamatan ni OML ang officers, staff at
shareholders sa kanilang patuloy na pagsuporta
at pag-unawa sa gitna ng taghirap. "The dedication of the staff in seeing through the various
programs that would bring us back to financial
health is especially noteworthy," sabi ni OML.
Umaasa rin siya na tuluy-tuloy ang pagahon ng Benpres sa tulong ng mga nagmamalasakit sa kumpanya.
"We are confident that we are treading the
right path with the right attitude. A little more
patience and perseverance should eventually
deliver for all of us. The process of evolving into a new and revitalized Lopez Group of Companies has started, with Benpres at the lead,"
pagtatapos ni OML. (Carla Paras-Sison)
ABS-CBN pinarangalan
ng Kongreso
TUMANGGAP kamakailan si ABSCBN chairman and CEO Eugenio
"Gabby" Lopez III (EL3) ng plaque
of appreciation mula sa House of
Representatives dahil sa suportang
ibinigay ng network sa pagpapalabas
sa 66th Bacolod Charter Day celebration at silver anniversary ng
Masskara Festival ng siyudad.
"ABS-CBN generously gave airtime for the promotion of the said
events as well as lent their talents to
grace the occasion and provide entertainment," ayon sa House Resolution No. 41.
Ginanap ang pinakamalaki at
pinakabonggang Masskara Festival at
Charter Day celebration sa Bacolod
noong October 1-19, 2004. Ang selebrasyon ay tinuturing na Mardi Gras ng
Pilipinas at tumulong sa pag-usbong ng
turismo at negosyo sa siyudad.
Ang ABS-CBN ay katuwang sa
pagpapalabas ng Filipino festivities
na nagpapakita ng kultura ng bansa.
Ayon kay EL3, "We want to reach out
to as many Filipinos both here and
abroad and showcase the beauty of
our culture to the rest of the world."
Ilan sa mga pagdiriwang na nacover ng ABS-CBN ay ang Dinagyang (Iloilo), Sinulog (Cebu),
Kadayawan (Davao), Pahiyas (Quezon), Panagbenga (Baguio) festivals, at marami pang iba.
Si Representative Monico
Puentevella ng kaisa-isahang distrito ng Bacolod City ang nag-abot ng
plaque of recognition sa ngalan
kanyang mga kasama sa Kongreso.
LOPEZLINK July 2005
Call IDD/NDD, earn
shopping money!
BAYANTEL is giving away SM gift certificates to residential subscribers who make NDD or IDD calls to their
loved ones!
A BayanTel subscriber is entitled to free SM gift certificates for a minimum worth of NDD or IDD calls to a
landline or to a cell phone reflected in their June and July
2005 statements of account.
For P650 worth of NDD calls, a subscriber gets P200 worth
of SM gift certificates, while for P850 worth of IDD calls, he or
she will receive P300 worth of SM gift certificates.
To avail, simply present your paid statement of account for the month of June or July 2005 together with a
proof of payment /official receipt, promo flyer and any
valid ID at any Bayan Center in Metro Manila.
The SM gift certificates are available for redemption
until September 30, 2005 and can be availed by Metro
Manila residential subscribers only.
Global Link managing director Liza Mara seals the
agreement with BayanTel group accounts manager Hans
Voltaire Bayaborda with BayanTel head of marketing for
corporate and business markets Cyril Anthony Pama
BayanTel, Global Link
partner for CommWorld '05
BAYANTEL promotes the
Philippines as a prime destination for information and
communications technology
(ICT) investments by part-
BayanTel provides broadband
connection to SLU
BAYAN Telecommunications (BayanTel) and
Saint Louis University (SLU) recently formalized an agreement for BayanTel to be the
sole Internet service provider in the university's campus in Baguio City.
Mauro Santos, vice-president for provincial markets, said that the agreement underscored BayanTel's strong market presence in
Central Luzon.
Under the agreement, BayanTel will provide high-speed Internet bandwidth to the
school and extend its Blast prepaid Internet
platform which it co-branded with SLU for
the use of students and faculty within the SLU
campus and wherever Blast is available nationwide.
In addition, BayanTel provided wireless
(Wi-Fi) access points to the university and installed leased lines to connect three buildings
within the campus for Internet access.
"BayanTel has already established itself as
a provider for major educational institutions in
the country. At the same time, we will soon expand the wireless connection to cover the entire SLU campus so users will be able to conveniently access the Internet," Santos said.
3
Formalizing the agreement for BayanTel to provide Internet service to
SLU in Baguio City are BayanTel account manager Joseph Piniero; head
of Luzon and PAPTELCO markets Rosalyn Descalzo; SLU-NET director
Engr. Winston Chugsayan; VP for Administration and OIC, Atty. Arnulfo
Soriano; BayanTel chief executive consultant Tunde Fafunwa; head of
provincial markets Mar Santos; senior consultant for network Dave
Rogers; and head of network services Humbert Ruales
nering with Global Link in
the recent CommWorld '05.
CommWorld '05 brought
together telecommunications, broadcasting, electronics, information technology
and e-commerce providers
for an exhibition and conference on emerging solutions
for the ICT industries.
CommWorld '05 also hosted the 2nd Philippine Telecom
Summit, a forum for CEOs of
the top telecommunication
companies to discuss and dissect the future of communications in the Philippines.
International speakers discussed IT-enabled services,
broadband and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) during
the conference. Among them
was BayanTel VP for product
development and management Joevel Rivera, who
spoke on the making the most
of VoIP. (John Rojo)
4
LOPEZLINK July 2005
THE president of Germany has bestowed on
Lopez Group chair Oscar M. Lopez the Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for his outstanding
achievements as a businessman and promoter
of Philippine-German cooperation and
friendship.
German ambassador Dr. Axel Weishaupt
said during the June 23 event that "this is the
first time that a Philippine businessman has
received this highest award that Germany
confers."
The awarding ceremony was held at the
embassy residence in Makati.
Lopez has co-chaired the Philippine-German Business Council since 2001, while the
Lopez Group has been working with various
German companies since the 1960s.
PHOTOS BY JOEL SOL CRUZ
OML first Filipino to
receive German award
(Clockwise from above) Honoree Lopez Group
chairman Oscar M. Lopez (OML) (center) with wife
Connie, children and their spouses; Benpres and
FPHC director Vicente Paterno, Knowledge
Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) president Rina
Lopez Bautista, OML, German Ambassador Dr.
Axel Weishaupt and Benpres SVP-Group Public
Relations Boo Chanco; OML shares a light moment
with Siemens president Tertius Vermeulen; ERDA
Foundation president Fr. Pierre Tritz, SJ, exchanges
notes with KCFI president Rina Lopez Bautista
ABS-CBN awarded the
'Parangal Gawad Watawat'
ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation
was conferred the first ever "Parangal
Gawad Watawat" by the Department of
Tourism (DOT) and the National Historical Institute (NHI) for its promotion of
the use of the country's symbol of nationality and unity.
DOT and NHI honored ABS-CBN
chairman and CEO Eugenio "Gabby"
Lopez III (EL3) for the outstanding role
of ABS-CBN in promoting the Philippine
flag in the network's programs and campaigns.
turns, political upheavals and uprisings."
ABS-CBN had invited Filipinos to
transcend divisions of class, politics, ideology and religion through TV spots; distributed flag pins and flaglets to employees; and urged local officials and other institutions to display the flag in their respective areas, among others, in
connection with the flag campaign.
NHI executive director Ludovico D.
Badoy said that "the award served as a
'thank you' to the people and institutions
that served
as role models through
their support
for the campaign of encouraging
Filipinos to
love and respect the
Philippine
flag--a simp l e a c t
which leads
to a stronger
nationhood
among the
people."
Maloli
ABS-CBN VP Maloli Espinosa (center) receives on behalf of EL3 the "Gawad
Watawat award from the DOT and NHI
Espinosa,
ABS-CBN
"ABS-CBN's flag campaign reaffirms VP for government, corporate and public
our faith in the strength of our people. It relations, accepted the award in behalf of
instills a sense of national pride in the EL3 during the awarding ceremonies
Filipino mind," EL3 said. Most impor- held in Intramuros, Manila.
tantly, EL3 stressed, "ABS-CBN is dutyOther awardees included the Ayala
bound to help the nation move forward Foundation, former president Fidel V.
after having endured resiliently the or- Ramos, Henry Sy of the SM Group of
deals of colonialism and terrorism, na- Companies and Manila Mayor Lito
tional calamities and economic down- Atienza.
Manuel and
Maritess
Lopez,
Griffin Sierra
general
manager
Marilu Ngo,
Griffin Group
CEO George
Boyes,
Griffin Sierra
president
Presy
Psinakis,
Connie and
Oscar M.
Lopez
Griffin Sierra marks
milestone makeover in RP
THE Griffin Global Group Ltd., a leading global
facilitator of marine crew travel, recently announced a re-branding initiative aimed to reflect
the company's expertise in handling the urgent
and complex logistics of connecting ship's crew,
rig workers and other administrative and ancillary personnel with commercial vessels, offshore
platforms and cruise ships around the world.
In 1989, the Griffin Group chose the Lopezowned Sierra Tours, Inc. as its local partner,
making Manila its first strategic location outside
Europe after Athens, London and Cyprus.
In her remarks during the launch of the company's new look and corporate name- Griffin
Sierra Travel, Inc.-Griffin Sierra president Presy
Psinakis called the partnership between Griffin
Group CEO George Boyes and the Lopez family
as one that is "built on friendship, mutual trust
and respect, integrity and honesty."
Boyes attended the special event at the Hotel
Intercontinental Manila in May. Also gracing the
event were Griffin Sierra chairman Oscar M.
Lopez, vice-chairman Manuel M. Lopez and
vice-president and general manager Marilu
Ngo.
The partnership has been successful, with
Griffin Sierra Travel focusing on the demanding
marine crew travel business and covering key
strategic marine and offshore markets. Today,
Griffin Sierra carries the Griffin Group's logo
and tagline, "Getting people in place. On time.
Worldwide."
Griffin Sierra Travel is among the Griffin
Group's 25 offices in 17 countries, covering key
strategic marine and offshore markets and operating on a 24/7 basis. The Griffin Group has annual global revenues of more than US$300 million.
George Boyes, Griffin Sierra CEO, and Marilu
Ngo,Griffin Sierra general manager, offer a
toast to the partnership
LOPEZLINK July 2005
5
'Kampanerang Kuba' gabi-gabi na!
NAPAPANOOD na ngayon sa ABS-CBN
ang dramang babago sa anyo ng gabi ninyo,
ang Kampanerang Kuba. Base sa kuwento
ni Pablo S. Gomez na unang ginamit sa pelikulang pinagbibidahan ni Vilma Santos
noong dekada '70, binihisan ng husto ng
ABS-CBN ang Kampanerang Kuba para sa
pamamayagpag nito sa telebisyon.
Paano ito ginawa ng ABS-CBN? Una,
pinagsama muli ang directing team nina
Wenn Deramas at Andoy Ranay, ang mga
direktor ng Marina. Pangalawa, kumuha ang
ABS-CBN ng magaling na cast members na
pinangungunahan nina Anne Curtis, Eula
Valdes, Jean Garcia, Jomari Yllana, Jodi
Santamaria, Christian Bautista, Patrick Garcia at Luis Manzano. At pangatlo, ang Kampanerang Kuba ang unang drama-fantasymusical na ipinrodyus para sa telebisyon.
Siyempre, ang pinakamatinding elemento sa Kampanerang Kuba ay ang kuwento
ni Fatima (Curtis) o Imang. Totoo, isa
siyang kuba at di naman siya kagandahan.
Pero ang tunay na ganda niya ay nasa loob-
Jean Garcia at Eula Valdes bilang
mayayamang magkapatid
Si Anne Curtis bilang Fatima
-isa siyang mabuti at matulunging tao, mga
katangiang tinuro sa kanya ng pari at mga
madre na nagpalaki sa kanya.
Pero hindi iyan ang simula ng kuwento ni
Imang. May koneksyon din siya kina Lourdes (Valdes) at Lucia (Jean Garcia), mga anak
ng isa sa pinakamayamang tao sa
kanilang bayan. Pero ano ang kinalaman ng kampanerang kuba at
ng magkakapatid? At ano ang misteryong bumabalot sa kanila, sa
asawa ni Lourdes na si Martin (Yllana), sa
asawa ni Lucia na si Antonio (Yul Servo) at
sa mata-pobreng anak nina Lourdes at Martin
na si Veronica (Santamaria)?
Ang tatlong leading men sa Kampanerang Kuba ay sina Manzano, Bautista at
Patrick Garcia. Exciting ang proyektong ito
para kay Luis, di lamang dahil ito ang una
niyang dramatic role. Siyempre pa, ina niya
si Vilma Santos, ang orihinal na kampanerang kuba. Ito rin ang unang TV role para sa
heartthrob na si Bautista, pero nahasa na ang
galing sa akting ng binata sa teatro. Si Patrick
Garcia naman ay isa sa pinakamagaling na
dramatic actors ng kanyang henerasyon.
Kasama rin sa cast sina Bobot Mortiz,
Cherry Pie Picache, Malou de Guzman,
Meryll Soriano, Eugene Domingo at
Chokoleit. Ang mga awitin sa Kampanerang Kuba ay mula sa composer at lyricist na si Vince de Jesus, na gumawa ng
scores ng Crying Ladies at La Visa Loca.
Si Jake Tordesillas ang creative manager
ng Kampanerang Kuba, at si Keiko Aquino
ang head writer. Executive producers sina
Mio Siojo at Narciso Gulmatico, samantalang
production manager naman si Ginny Ocampo. Si Olivia Lamasan ang executive in
charge of creative at si Malou N. Santos ang
overall in charge of production. (A. Mosura)
Desperate Housewives and Lost licensed to Studio 23
Multiyear deal includes features and first-run animated series
’Linggo-linggong
Pasasalamat’
HERE is exciting news from ABS-CBN
Global's The Filipino Channel (TFC)!
The channel has launched the TFC Kapamilya Circle loyalty/rewards program
and its "Libu-libo, Linggo-linggong
Pasasalamat sa Kapamilya!" promo as a
way of thanking its thousands of loyal subscribers throughout North America.
Subscribers of TFC on cable and direct-tohome are qualified to be in the circle and have
a chance to win $25,000 weekly from June to
July 2005. The program also provides TFC
member-subscribers daily savings on ABSCBN products and services. These include
discounts on Starry Starry Store merchandise,
StarKargo sea and air freight, cut-prices on
money remittance through Tawag Remit, free
overseas calls, plus front row seats in select
TFC World Tours concerts and events.
Since 1994, TFC has been bringing a
piece of home to overseas Filipinos and Filipino-Americans through a mix of teleseryes, comedies, talk, variety, game, reality
and public service programs, and news for,
of and by Filipinos. TFC also airs locally
produced shows like "Balitang America,"
"Kumusta, Kabayan," "Balitang Middle
East" and "Citizen Pinoy." It is the first Filipino network to beam its 24-hour operations to major territories in the world.
Join the TFC Kapamilya Circle and enjoy savings and benefits tailor-made for
Pinoys abroad. Application forms are available at www.abs-cbni.com and at select Filipino stores.
For more information, visit our website,
see TFC's posters, print ads and TV commercials, or call 1-800-fil-chnl.(J. Bautista)
BUENA Vista International Television-Asia
Pacific (BVITV-AP) has concluded a multiyear licensing agreement with Studio 23
that includes a first-ever features package.
Steve Macallister, SVP and managing
director of BVITV-AP, and Leo Katigbak,
managing director of Studio 23 and VP of
ABS-CBN, made the announcement.
Under this deal, Studio 23 and ABSCBN have licensed a strong raft of programming that includes blockbuster features, a Disney Adventures branded block
and award-winning reality and live action
series. This includes Desperate Housewives and Lost, two of the hottest water
cooler shows of the year.
"BVITV's strong portfolio is a complement to Studio 23's commitment to bringing the very best in entertainment to the
marketplace," said Macallister. "We look
forward to Studio 23 experiencing the
same impressive audience following that
Lost and Desperate Housewives have had
around the Asia Pacific region."
Desperate Housewives, winner of two
Golden Globes, is an ensemble drama that
takes a darkly comedic look at suburbia,
where the secret lives of housewives aren't
always what they seem.
Lost, from Alias creator J.J. Abrams and
Damon Lindelof (Crossing Jordan), is an
action-packed adventure of a plane crash
in the South Pacific and the survivors who
must work together to stay alive on a mysterious island.
According to Katigbak, "Studio 23 is
the ideal home for Lost and Desperate
Housewives. We have been on the cutting
edge of programming and promotions and
BVITV has been a strong
supporter of our efforts, so
this deal is a natural progression of our years of doing business. Studio 23,
ABS-CBN and BVITV
have been friends in the
business for many years and
this fits right in with our slogan, 'Studio 23--Kabarkada
Mo!' [Your Gang].
"Lost and Desperate
Housewives are expected to
further increase Studio 23's
profile as one of the more intelligent and daring players Studio 23’s Leo Katigbak with Hollywood star Teri Hatcher
in the Philippines' competitive television industry. Studio 23 already
attracts some of the most desirable viewer
demographics in the Philippines today," STUDIO 23 is the UHF channel of ABS-CBN
Katigbak added.
Broadcasting Corp. The network opened in
The multiyear agreement will include 1996 and has grown into a major player in the
studio features from Touchstone Pictures, free-TV arena despite being in the UHF range
Spyglass Entertainment and Walt Disney of channels. It is currently the home of CSI,
Pictures, such as Signs, Sweet Home Alaba- The Amazing Race, Survivor, Las Vegas, Will &
ma and Shanghai Knight. These movies Grace, 2 ½ Men, Alias, Joey and Oprah, as
will be featured prominently on parent net- well as youth-skewed shows Charmed, Smallville, Gilmore Girls, 7th Heaven and Jack and
work ABS-CBN's marquee movie slot.
Bobby.
Included in the agreement is Seasons 7
The network targets the youth market, aland 8 of the Emmy Award-winning reality though in recent months, Studio 23 has made a
series The Amazing Race. In addition, the successful bid for wider audiences with its
critically acclaimed series Alias will ex- groundbreaking homegrown programs such as
Wazzup Wazzup, Nginiig, F, Digital Tour,
plode into its fourth season on Studio 23.
The Disney Adventures branded timeslot is Breakfast and Y Speak have emerged as defina weekly one-hour block that will offer con- ing shows.
Studio 23’s sports coverage includes the
temporary Disney animated fare for children University Athletic Association of the Philipand families. This will include the free-TV pines (UAAP), the National Collegiate Athletic
premiere of Kim Possible and Lilo and Stitch. Association (NCAA), the Philippine BasketThis block is scheduled to air soon on parent ball League (PBL), billiards, extreme sports
and F3.
network ABS-CBN. (L. Katigbak)
Kabarkada mo!
6
LOPEZLINK July 2005
ERNIE LOPEZ...
from page 1
does will not affect what the other does. All the
way from the editorial to the production, we all
have to work together.
How many titles do you have right now? Any
new titles in the making?
We have 12 titles. As for upcoming titles,
there are some that I can't talk about, but for
the rest of this year, I feel that we have
enough. We are more in a consolidating stage
right now.
All your titles are homegrown.
Pretty much. Once we tried coming out with a
franchise of Sports Illustrated, Limited Issue.
Unfortunately, it was during the currency crisis
so that one didn't come out well.
There are advantages and disadvantages with
homegrown titles. The advantage is that you
don't have to pay royalties, but you don't have
that much exposure yet. The advantage of a franchise is that you have a template ready-made for
you as well as heavy exposure.
It's actually more challenging for our group
compared with our competitors--everything is
Congratulations
to Ernie and
Jeena Lopez on
the newest
additions to
their family,
twins Isis and
Sabrina, born
on June 11,
2005!
handed to them. For the most part, our titles are
Filipino-made—made for, and by, Filipinos.
Has the Filipino reading habit evolved from
the time you went into publishing?
Yes. Magazine patronage is gaining ground.
Based on surveys, newspaper readership has
gone down. If you look at our population, which
is mostly young, how many of them are reading
newspapers? They watch TV, they get their information online or through magazines and I
think the trend is going to continue.
Somehow, there's something about magazines that it will survive, just like radio survived
even when television caught on. In the same
way, there are magazine materials that can't be in
a newspaper or aired on TV. Fashion is an example- it's image-driven so it comes out well on the
pages of a magazine, unlike when fashion shows
are aired on TV.
Many of our readers would like to get to know
you better. What's your typical day like? Are
you here everyday?
Pretty much every day. I'm very much into
sports, I love sports, and it is something that I got
from my mom. She's 75 and she still plays tennis
every day and she jet-skis. I think that bug has
bitten everybody in the family so we all like to
keep in shape. I like doing ultra-distance runs.
Last year, two of my friends and I traced the
Death March route. We went to Mariveles,
where the infamous march started and ran a total
of 102 kilometers in 19 hours. We ended up in
ABS-CBN Publishing
METRO
Thelma Sioson-San Juan, editor in chief
(See next page)
Food
Metro Home and
Entertaining
Norma OlizonChikiamco, editor
in chief and co-founding editor
A journalism graduate of St. Theresa's College,
Norma Olizon-Chikiamco also studied at the Culinary Institute of America in New York and the International Institute for Journalism in Berlin, Germany,
and took graduate studies in magazine management
at Syracuse University. She has written for Asia Magazine and South China Morning Post in Hong Kong
and some magazines in Singapore. In 2000, she was
given the Outstanding Journalism Award by the Australia-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce.
Carlo M. Tadiar, editor in
chief
Him
Carlo M. Tadiar, editor in
chief
B. Carlo M. Tadiar is
concurrently associate editorial director of ABSCBN Publishing. He began his career in journalism at
the lifestyle section of the Manila Chronicle. He later
went back to school, completing a master's degree in
cultural anthropology at New York's New School for
Social Research, returning to the country in 2001. His
former boss, ABS-CBN Publishing general manager
Thelma San Juan, immediately recruited him.
Pampanga. That's the kind of fun we like to get
into.
What kind of a boss are you?
In terms of handling employees, if they are
performing well, I'd rather let them be. I trust
them to do their job and do it well. When a publication or a person is not performing well, that's
the time I will get more involved.
What was it like in the beginning?
I was the one delivering the magazines. There
were a total of 15 ABS-CBN Publishing staff.
We were so few that if someone would say 'I
haven't received my Guide magazine yet,' I'd go
deliver it to his or her house.
That's the very first title that you had?
Guide?
Guide. Unfortunately, Guide died.
Immediately followed by?
Metro.
Anything you want to share with the readers
of Lopez Link?
Buy our magazines (laughs). Read them, support your sister company. We love getting feedback from our readers so I encourage them to
check out our magazines and give us feedback.
Let us know what they think of it because we're
always in the process of improving our products.
That is very crucial and important for me. Every
month it's like putting out something new and
we get to see if people like it or not, if it sells or
not. We discover what their tastes are, so we
learn from it.
Are you open to anyone with a bright idea for
a magazine?
Sure. We have a business development group.
Good ideas can come from anywhere. I don't
think
Ther
some
open
every
er kn
good
How
cess?
I'm
desig
out. I
produ
pany
print
ABS
quire
well.
Do y
W
to ha
requi
able
inten
aging
drain
boun
W
ning,
Wha
from
Th
don't
The
they'
they'l
Metro Active
Vladimir S. Bunoan, editor in chief
Vladimir S. Bunoan started his journalism career in BusinessWorld, and
helped launch the newspaper's "WeekEnder" section and Men's Zone magazine. He also had stints in regional trade
publications, including one in Singapore.
Most recently, he was business editor of
the pre-merger Today. In his spare time,
he plays badminton and likes eating out,
which isn't surprising since he used to
have a long-running restaurant review
column for BusinessWorld.
Metro Society
Chalk
Lia S. Bernardo, editor in chief
Lia S. Bernardo has been an image enhancement and business etiquette consultant since 1992, handling banks, private
companies, resorts, airlines and others. The
former editor in chief of Bride Philippines,
she is a founding member of Bridesmaids &
Co., the pioneering wedding coordinator
and events planner. She was also formerly
country brand manager of Neutrogena and
Asean training and public relations manager for J&J.
Vicky Montenegro, editor in
chief
Vicky Florendo-Montenegro has been with Chalk for
the past five years. A journalism graduate of the University
of the Philippines, she started
out as associate editor when th
came editor in chief in 2004. B
writer for the lifestyle section of
calls Chalk "a lifestyle bible for
to know in the fashion, beauty,
ships departments."
StarStudio
Jerome Gomez, editor in chief
Jerome B. Gomez started his career at the
Manila Chronicle's lifestyle
section. Then, he transferred
to the Manila Times, where
he eventually became the
associate editor of the entertainment pages of the Sunday Times Magazine. A stint
in fashion served him well
when he turned StarStudio
from a fan magazine to its
lifestyle-oriented incarnation. He became the magazine's editor in chief in July
2003.
Working Mom
Gina Abuyuan, editor in chief
Gina Abuyuan is solo mom to
18-month-old twins Marco and
Mateo, and seven-year- old Simone. After working as a reporter for The B
to MMPI as managing editor of the Family
Mega Magazine. In 1999, Gina put up Ear
ecology magazine. After less than a year, s
media again. She came on board Working M
after a year, was promoted to editor in chie
LOPEZLINK July 2005
EXECUTIVE PROFILE
k anyone has a monopoly on good ideas.
e have been a lot of ideas and I've heard
e really weird ones. I think it's healthy to be
n-minded. I'm not saying that I'll entertain
y single idea, but we have to listen, you nevnow when you might come across a really
d one.
w involved are you in the production pro?
m familiar with the software used for page
gning even if I don't do the actual laying
I'm also very well versed in the stages of
uction as we have a color separation comy for prepress. We also do large format
ting-billboards, posters, etc. We service
S-CBN for their poster and billboard reements and several outside companies as
Thelma Sioson-San Juan:
is a must'
PHOTOS BY EDWIN TUYAY
'Growth
you do your own printing?
We used to, until we realized that it was better
ve it outsourced. We started bidding out our
irements to different suppliers and we were
to bring the costs down. Printing is capitalnsive and maintaining equipment and mang a number of production personnel can be a
n. If you do the printing, a lot of the capital is
nd with the machines.
We used to print in Hong Kong in the begin, but local printers are just as good.
at can the reading public look forward to
m ABS-CBN Publishing for 2005?
here are some projects in the pipeline but I
t want our competitors to know which one.
minute they have it, when it's ready and
're ready to launch, then that's the time
ll know.
Metro Weddings
Marge Enriquez, editor in chief
Enriquez is the former editor of
"Élan" of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. She finished her master's degree in
interdisciplinary studies at the San
Francisco State University and has
been writing features for two decades.
She took up raja yoga meditation in
the US and introduced it in the Philippines She also does one-woman shows
that combine poetry, dance, video and
visual arts.
The Buzz
e magazine began in 2000 and beBefore that, she was a contributing
f the Philippine Daily Inquirer. She
r teens--it has everything they need
, trends, health, boys and relation-
Business Daily, she moved on
y Reader and senior writer at
rthian, a holistic living/deep
she entered mainstream print
Mom as managing editor and,
ef.
Pink
Benjie Felipe, editor in
chief
After studying creative writing in UP Dilim a n , " Ts o n g k i b e n j "
started the COMPASS
comics of Geny Lopez in
1989 with the late Nonoy Marcelo. He became a TV director, columnist and actor. In
2002, he became a segment producer for The
Buzz. A year later, he became the editor in
chief of The Buzz magazine. He is now also
editor in chief of Nginiig magazine.
Jane Katrina C. Kingsu, acting editor in chief
Jane Kingsu was studying at the Ateneo when
she was asked to participate in a focus group discussion for ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc., which was
planning on coming out with a
college magazine. The editor
in chief of Chalk then, Romina Urra-Gonzales, assigned
her as the college editor. She
was later promoted as the
magazine's associate fashion
editor and later, managing editor of Pink. Six months after,
she took on the role of acting
editor in chief of Pink.
7
THELMA Sioson-San Juan, general manager
of ABS-CBN Publishing, is such a dyed-inthe-wool wordsmith that, as a student, she
chose the printing press over a slot in the honor roll. It didn't hurt that her alma mater, St.
Theresa's College, was then in the midst of a
crisis--the nuns running the school were on
the verge of phasing out the institution. "Kinareer ko na," Thelma described those days
when she and her staff put out the college paper daily instead of monthly to be able give
the STC community up-to-the-minute news.
Nowadays, her aspirations aren't any less
grand--to make ABS-CBN Publishing, which
now has 12 titles, a worthy member of the
mother company--and to rule the world.
In this Q and A with Lopez Link, Thelma
Sioson-San Juan, the woman that many say is
one of those that brought lifestyle reporting in
the Philippines to new heights, looks back-and forward:
What was your first big break as a lifestyle
writer/journalist?
When I was made acting lifestyle editor
when I was barely three months in Times
Journal because my editor had to go to China
for coverage. It was blood, sweat and tears
from then on-learning on the job from day to
day. Fresh from college, I had to not only
write, but also copy edit, lay out--close the
section, in other words--all by myself, under
the cold scrutiny of the seasoned editors of the
paper who were all institutions in journalism.
Who among the senior editors did you look
up to?
I was lucky and privileged to have worked
under the journalism greats--they were tough,
perfectionist bosses, which was how I learned.
They took over Times Journal during Martial
Law, fresh from Manila Times, which was
then the leading newspaper in Asia, and Manila Chronicle.
These were former Manila Times editor in
chief Jose Luna Castro, Manuel Salak, Bernie
de Leon, Isagani Yambot. From Daily Mirror
came Gus Villanueva and Jullie Yap Daza;
from Chronicle came Rey Naval and Vergel
Santos. They were not only fine editors, they
were also award-winning fiction writers. It
was they who helped me hone my writing and
editing skills; they never tolerated bad grammar, bad writing, not even typo errors. That
rigor is missing in today's journalism.
To what do you attribute the "popularity"
of lifestyle reporting among young journalists and journalism students today?
Everybody is going for the quality of life.
Issues that were considered flippant in the '70s
are now pivotal--fashion, health, fitness, dining, among other things. We also live in an era
hooked on glamour and celebrityhood.
You used to be lifestyle editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. What were some of the
adjustments that came with making the
switch from newspaper to magazine publishing?
In magazines, you learn how to think target
market. You segmentize the broad market.
You zero in on your niche. And you talk intimately to your reader, focus on information
s/he can use. In today's publishing, a magazine isn't only a magazine. It is a brand whose
image has to be identified and whose community has to be built.
Why have Metro, Chalk, Food and other
ABS-CBN titles lasted this long despite the
stiff competition?
I like to think it's because we have the story.
Even as a media manager now, I think like a
reporter and editor--which is, what is the
scoop, what is the story, which our competition will not have. This story is told in both
words and pictures. Very simple formula--we
give our reader a story she can use. To do that,
an editor/publisher must have the pulse of the
market on a 24/7 basis.
Are there plans to add to your titles?
Which area or segment needs more attention from the publishing industry?
We have plans. To thrive, or even survive,
in the glossy magazine industry, one must
grow and expand, but within feasible parameters. Growth is not just an option in our highly competitive industry. It is a must. We must
keep on discovering market segments to address. The male market will be the busy sector
in the next two years.
What are your plans for ABS-CBN Publishing? Where do you see the company five
years from now?
Immediately, we must prove our strategic
value to mother company ABS-CBN Corporation and deliver our targets. Five years from
now, rule the world--of women, men and
gays.
LOPEZLINK July 2005
REMEMBERING...
from page 1
Eñing graduated cum laude from the
Ateneo de Manila University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1919. He then took up
law at the University of the Philippines (UP)
and passed the bar examinations. Not content, the new lawyer enrolled at Harvard in
the United States. Soon after his return to the
country, Eñing gave in to the urge to oversee
the operation of their hacienda in Negros after briefly practicing his profession.
Benpres forerunner
To quell his new bride Pacita "Nitang"
Moreno's fears, 27-year-old Eñing
promised that he would be a millionaire
before he turned 30.
One of the first things the young
lawyer-turned-businessman and Nanding
did was to form E & F Lopez, the forerunner of today's Benpres Holdings Corp.
Two months later, a terrible typhoon that
wiped out 60% of their sugar crop convinced Eñing that it was time to get out of
sugar and diversify into other ventures,
specifically in their hometown, Iloilo.
Displaying his entrepreneurial and adventurous spirit, Eñing ventured into media through the Spanish-language daily, El
Tiempo--actually the revival of an earlier
venture of his father Benito.
The newspaper was followed several
years later by forays into modern transportation--sea, land and even air.
Most of these ventures were successful, in part because of Eñing's natural flair
for business and because he was a bighearted man whose generosity as an employer was repaid by his employees with
their dedication and loyalty.
The foundation of a stable business
Many will attest to the fact that Eñing
Dean Lawrence E. Fouraker of the
Harvard Business School confers
on Eugenio H. Lopez a
took very good care of his people. He re- Distinguished Service Award from
paid their honesty and service with unex- Harvard University
pected rewards and was pleased when he
saw his employees' faces light up upon receiving a bonus or promotion.
Don Eñing believed that people were
the foundation of a stable business. According to him, "we consider [the following principles] sacred and inviolable in
our dealings with our employees: that human values are superior to material values; that the right to have and enjoy the
fruits of labor is paramount to profits and
losses; and that our success should be
measured not by the wealth we can accumulate, but by the amount of happiness
we can spread to our employees. This is
our norm of conduct."
In return for their loyalty and devoted
service, Don Eñing made sure that he was
around to share his employees' highs and
lows. When two of his most trusted lieutenants became seriously sick, Don Eñing
did not hesitate to have them flown to the
United States-together with their wivesand treated by the best doctors.
Surprises
Don Eñing was generous with money.
He did not think twice about extending a
loan to someone who needed it. When the
union demanded a pay hike, he responded
by giving the employees double the
amount they were asking for. It came to a
point where the union members would
simply wait for Don Eñing to come up with
one "surprise" after the other-until it was finally decided that there was no need for a
union in any of Don Eñing's companies.
On top of that, Don Eñing put up a hospital chiefly for Meralco employees, JF
Cotton Hospital, and earmarked funds for
their retirement plan. Through these
benevolent acts, Don Eñing fulfilled his
promise to make Meralco employees'
salaries and benefits the most competitive
and generous in the country.
Don Eñing's legacy
Don Eñing asserted that part of a business' profits should be given back to the
people, whether in the form of a "foundation, grant, scholarship, hospital and any
other form of social welfare benefit."
For this reason, he was instrumental in
establishing the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), one of his most notable contributions in the field of education not only in
the Philippines but also in other parts of
Asia. He also granted a $255,000 endowment fund to the Harvard Business School to
promote the study of Asian Management.
Another of Don Eñing's notable contributions was the Lopez Museum, which
prompted Sen. Claro M. Recto to commend
the family for their generosity in establishing
a private museum for the public interest.
Today, Don Eñing's legacy lives on in
the spirit of social responsibility manifested by Geny's offspring, and Geny's siblings Oscar, Presy and Manuel, and that of
their children and grandchildren.
?
DID YOU KNOW
IN September 1929, Eñing and El
Tiempo began a crusade against
jueteng in Iloilo and the corruption
it created in local government. The
winning number each day was printed in a box in boldface on page one.
Eñing came out with one expose after another, alleging that top politicians such as Iloilo Governor Mariano Arroyo, Iloilo City police chief
Marcelo Buenaflor and his brother
Congressman Tomas Buenaflor had
been bribed by Sualoy [Luis Sane,
the Chinese "king of jueteng" in
Iloilo] to turn a blind eye on
jueteng." (From "Phoenix: The Saga
of the Lopez Family," Vol. 1 by Raul
Rodrigo, pp. 105 to 106)
Eñing Lopez with the
beneficiaries of his
charitable works
PHOTOS COURTESY OF LOPEZ MUSEUM
8
LITTLE LIVES, BIG DEEDS
Pye Portilla: Primo sa trabaho, primo sa industriya
By Carla Paras-Sison
HALOS labing-walong taon na sa ABS-CBN
Broadcasting Corporation si Primo C. Portilla,
production assistant sa Manila Radio Division at
kilala ng mga kasama bilang "Pye."
Tubong Iloilo, lumuwas si Pye mula sa bayan
ng New Lucena sa edad na 20 upang makipagsapalaran sa magulong mundo ng Maynila.
"Third year high school ako noon, nagtatrabaho sa bukid, umaani ng palay, pero hindi amin
ang lupa kaya mahirap umasenso," paglalahad ni Pye. Taong 1969 iyon at sa loob
ng pitong taon, nagpiyon sa pakyawang construction projects si Pye,
nagbabanat ng buto umulan man o
umaraw upang kumita.
Nagpamalas siya ng sipag at tiyaga
na napansin ng kanyang kapitbahay sa
inuupahang tirahan. Kaya noong 1976,
inirekomenda siya nito sa ninong na
may-ari ng Delta Broadcasting.
Pumapasok siya ng alas-siete o
alas-otso ng umaga at umuuwi ng
alas-nuwebe ng gabi. Sa umaga'y
hinuhugasan niya ang mga naiwang tasa at pinagkainan ng mga
ka-opisina. Pagpasok ng mga empleyado ng alas-nuwebe, napunasan na ni Pye at nalinis ang lahat ng mga mesa at kuwarto.
Pagkatapos maglinis ay magiging messenger na si Pye. Iaabot sa
kanya ng accountant ang mga dokumento na
kanyang ide-deliver--halos lahat ay certificate of
performance na kailangan upang makasingil ang
istasyon sa advertisers nito.
Rota niya ang Binondo at Makati, nilalakad ang
Makati business district mula Insular Building
hanggang Perea Street. Siya rin ang nagpipick-up
at nagde-deposito ng mga tsekeng bayad ng mga
kliyente sa bangko. Kaya masasabing malaki ang
pagtitiwala ng kumpanya kay Pye.
Noong 1976, lumipat ang boss niya na si Tina
Loy sa RPN 9 at kinailangan nito ng production
assistant. Hinimok siya ni Loy na subukan ang
pagiging production assistant at soundman. Sa pamamagitan ng training na ibinigay ng kanyang
boss, nagampanan niya ang bagong tungkulin at
na-assign sa drama shows ng DWWW.
"Inaral ko nang maigi ang mga kailangan, ang
tunog at lalo na ang timing. Kailangan gumamit ng
imagination sa audio. Halimbawa, ang tunog ng
pagbukas ng pinto, hindi basta isasara ito. Dapat
tiyempuhan mo, kung hindi, maiipit iyong taong
nagbukas ng pinto. O kaya ang sampal, dapat sakto
lang sa dialogue, ang pagpatak ng ulan, ang pagtakbo ng kabayo, lahat iyan may kani-kaniyang
technique at timing," paliwanag ni Pye.
Per script ang bayad kay Pye. Bawa't dramang
tumatakbo ng kalahating oras ay may 24 minutong
script at anim na minutong commercial. Pitong
piso ang bayad kada script at kung maka-anim o
pitong script sa isang araw, ayos na iyon kay Pye.
Kaya naman panibagong dagok kay Pye nang
magsara ang DWWW noong 1986 pagkaraan ng
unang EDSA Revolution. Nabakante siya hanggang
1987 kaya namasukan muli bilang laborer sa construction. Dahil binata naman, nakitira muna siya sa kapatid
at kung walang mapag-ekstrahan, tumutungong Bulacan upang makigapas ng palay tuwing anihan.
Sa pamamagitan muli ng isang kaibigan sa
DWWW na nakakaalam ng kanyang kasipagan at
kakayahan, nakapasok si Pye noong 1987 bilang errand boy ng dating ABS-CBN radio division head na
si Joselito Balquiedra, Jr. Nagpamalas ng matinding
pagmamahal sa trabaho si Pye, listo at may initiative,
kaya noong 1988, napili siyang pumalit sa isang production assistant na lumipat ng assignment. Ito ay
isang pagkakataong lubusan niyang pinahalagahan.
"Ayoko na lumilipas ang otso oras na wala
man lang akong effort para sa kumpanya. Arawaraw ay iniisip ko kung natulungan ko ang ABSCBN. Nagampanan ko ba ang aking tungkulin, at
kung sakali ay higit pa roon?"
Sabi ni Pye, isang karera ang broadcast news,
kaya ang pinakamabilis ang siyang mangunguna
sa mga tagapakinig ng radyo.
"Sa opisina, hindi dapat pabayaang walang
sumasagot ng telepono. Paano kung magre-report
iyon ng breaking news? Imbes na scoop na iyon,
baka itawag pa sa ibang istasyon dahil lamang
walang sumagot ng telepono. Kaming mga
magkakasama ay nagtutulungan para manatiling
una sa balita ang ABS-CBN," wika ni Pye.
Marahil ay iyan ang susi sa pagiging primo ng
ABS-CBN sa industriya, tulad na rin ng pagiging
primo ni Pye, hindi lamang sa pangalan, kundi lalo na sa trabaho.
LOPEZLINK July 2005
Lopez Museum Exhibit
9
The Calatagan excavations: An update
Ongoing until 11 August 2005
By Cynthia O. Valdes
(Guest lecturer Cynthia O. Valdes provides
a historical account of the archeological
findings in Calatagan, Batangas in line with
"Grave Findings: A Reclamation Project.")
CALATAGAN is a peninsula in the province of
Batangas approximately 100 kilometers south
of Manila. To its west is the South China Sea
(specifically the Verde Island passage), and to
the east are the bays of Pagaspas and Balayan.
History of the site
In 1934, while constructing a small airfield in the Zobel property in Calatagan,
workers running tractors cut across what appeared to be graves yielding ceramics and
other artifacts. The elder Enrique Zobel immediately reported it to the National Museum
and a trained archaeologist, Ricardo Galang,
was sent to investigate the site. Some 1,000
pieces of whole and restorable ceramics were
recovered and divided between the National
Museum and the Zobel family. Unfortunately,
these were destroyed during the war.
In 1940, Olov A.T. Janse, sponsored
by Harvard University, conducted the first
systematic excavations at Calatagan. Us-
ing ceramic finds as evidence, he identified the sites with the 15th to the 16th centuries. Wilhelm Solheim also conducted
excavations, did not uncover any graves
but collected thousands of shards of Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese ceramics.
National Museum team
In 1958, Dr. Robert Fox led a National
Museum team in conducting excavations in
Kay Tomas and Pulung Bakaw. These were
sites previously excavated by Janse and
were located west of the town. A total of
505 graves yielded 521 specimens of what
Fox identified as Chinese, Annamese (Vietnamese) and Siamese (Thai) ceramics.
Plowing and casual digging by owners
of the property brought forth more ceramics that were purchased by Fox to increase
to 1,200 the pieces collected by the National Museum in Calatagan.
Dr. Fox and the team concentrated their
efforts on Kay Tomas and Pulung Bakaw.
They concluded that Kay Tomas and Pulung
Bakaw were formal cemeteries in which the
dead were systematically interred. These
cemeteries were in use for some 150 years.
Hundreds of shards were found on the surface. Some of these may have been a result
of plowing shallower graves. Another explanation is that the shards were fragments
of vessels that were placed on the graves to
hold offerings (pang-alay).
Dating of the sites
Dr. Fox based his dating of the sites excavated on the studies of Prof. Otley Beyer. He dated the sites to the 14th to the
15th centuries.
In 1968, a gathering of leading lights
in the field of ceramics held a conference
in Manila. Several Philippine-based
scholars delivered papers on finds from
various sites, such as Calatagan, Sta. Ana
(excavated by the Locsins in the early
ABS-CBN stars in outreach
programs for Bantay Bata Cebu
ABS-CBN's highly successful "Daghang
Salamat, Cebu" event was more than just a
weekend of star-studded live shows that rocked
Cebu City and thrilled thousands of Cebuanos.
It was also a time to reinforce its corporate social responsibility through the outreach program of Bantay Bata Cebu of the ABS-CBN
Foundation Inc. (AFI).
Bantay Bata Cebu was launched at the
ABS-CBN Visayas Complex in Mandaue City
in January.
"Having Bantay Bata in Cebu is a great
help. The groundwork laid by Cebu's agencies,
coupled with the expertise of Bantay Bata, will
boost our efforts to eradicate child abuse," said
ABS-CBN Cebu station manager Tata CincoSy.
Bantay Bata Cebu has a strong partner in
Cebu City's first lady Margot Osmeña, head of
the Cebu City Task Force on Street Children.
ABS-CBN also joined hands with the Cebu
City Commission for the Welfare and Protection of Children, local government units and
non-government organizations.
Bantay Bata specializes in legal counseling
and community education to raise awareness
on the issue of child abuse. It also
concentrates on direct child protection services, children's center,
foster care, family services and
even adoption.
During the "Daghang Salamat,
Cebu" weekend, ABS-CBN EVP
and entertainment head Charo
Santos-Concio visited the Haven
Center for Women and Children.
She was welcomed by a throng of
female residents, fans of ABSCBN's long-running drama anthology, Maalaala Mo Kaya,
which she hosts.
The ABS-CBN executive regaled everyone with the story of
how she grew up in a family of six
children in Mindoro, with her doctor-dad treating people not for money but simply to serve
his town mates. In turn, patients paid the family with carabao’s milk, eggs or vegetables.
Meanwhile, Quizon Avenue mainstays Jeffrey Quizon, Pokwang, Ya Chang, Kitkat and
Jeni Hernandez delighted the abused and abandoned children at the Cebu Hope Center
(CHC). Pokwang, whose son died from sickness a few years ago, even gave a cash donation to the 24-year-old orphanage.
CHC was the realization of a dream of
Doña Maria Aboitiz, who had envisioned a
welfare home for boys and girls in the city. In
1984, she asked the Franciscan Sisters of the
Sacred Heart to run the center, which is now
being managed by Sister Juliet Prejalido.
The presence of Heart Evangelista and Geoff Eigenmann also thrilled the young residents
of the Parian Drop-In Center. Heart and Geoff
demonstrated their fondness for children
whom they entertained during their visit to the
center.
With Bantay Bata Cebu Hotline 163 now
operational, ABS-CBN does not just deliver
news reports on child abuse, but acts on it with
the help of other agencies in the city.
'60s) and Pinagbayanan in Pila, Laguna
led by archaeologist Rosa Tenazas.
A closer examination of the ceramic
specimen unearthed in Calatagan revealed
Chinese ceramics of the 16th century.
Subsequent dating of Calatagan was
moved to the 15th to 16th century after the
seminar. Later, other attempts were made
towards a more precise dating.
R i t a Ta n n o t e d t h e p r e s e n c e o f
Hongzhi (1488-1505) pieces. She published a "late 15th to early 16th" dating in
2002 for a publication of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. However, Allison
Diem noted the presence of ceramics from
Central Vietnam that she then believed to
be "mid-15th century."
Then came the Japanese researchers
with a publication on "Champa ceramics"
based on an excavation report of the Go
Sanh kiln sites in Central Vietnam by a
team of archaeologists led by Prof. Yoji
Aoyagi. Aoyagi believed that Champa ceramics were exported during the 15th century. They were excavated at the Calatagan site, "which is supposed to date from
the 15th to the 16th centuries."
Other sites in the Philippines with Champa ceramics are Sta. Ana in Manila, Lal-lo
Shell Midden in Cagayan Valley, Puerto
Galera in Mindoro and the shipwreck off
Pandanan near the southern tip of Palawan.
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
July 2 (Sat) Digging Deep: The Ar2 -4 pm
chaeology of Calatagan by archaeologist
Amalia de la Torre
Fee: P100
July 9, 16, Creative Writing
23 & 30
Workshop for Teens
10 am-12 with Carla Pacis
noon
The Asian Institute of Management's Excell Program for August
ENTERPRISE-WIDE RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
August 1 to 5, 2005
Who should attend?
The Enterprise-Wide Risk Management Program is designed for
the senior executive who has responsibility for a major functional
area or business unit and who is in a position to influence his company's policies and strategies.
At the end of the course, the participant will be able to use the
tools of risk management to identify major uncertainties facing his
organization, assess opportunities and potential losses, develop alternatives for risk handling and assess these alternatives in light of
his organization's business goals.
Topics
• Systematic frameworks and approaches to risk identification, assessment and quantification, and risk management covering the
broad spectrum of firm risks
• Linking the concepts of risk management to strategy review,
formulation and implementation
• Strategy formulation and implementation under uncertainty
• Understanding the different risk quantification methods
• Risk management tools
• Auditing your firm's risk management program
• Organizing the risk management function
Program fee
Philippine resident: PhP 40,000
Foreign participant: US$ 1,300
(Fee includes tuition, materials, lunch and snacks)
Other AIM-Excell Programs:
Basic Management Program, Aug. 8 to 26, 2005
<http://www.aim.edu.ph/schools/programpreview.asp?id=123>
Management Development Program, Sept. 12 to Oct. 21, 2005
<http://www.aim.edu.ph/schools/programpreview.asp?id=13>
For more information, contact Yola Genuino, Jane Manlapig or
Raul Senedrin of the Excell marketing group at 893-2050 or 8924011 loc. 228, 526 or 166; e-mail excell@dataserve.aim.edu.ph; or
visit www.aim.edu.ph/schools/excell.asp
Weekend Getaway Package
CHECK in at the Eugenio Lopez Center from June 15 to September 15,
2005 and get these special rates for
you and your family!
P 3,300 net per room (maximum of
two persons)
P 3,990 net per room (maximum of
three persons)
Inclusions:
• Overnight accommodation
• Complimentary breakfast
• Welcome drink upon check-in
• Use of gym facilities such as
game room, swimming pool, etc.
• Use of basketball, badminton
and tennis courts
• Film showing for kids at the
Center's theater
• Hiking activities for adults and kids
• Videoke from 9 p.m.-12 mn (first
come, first served basis)
Check-in time: 2 p.m.
Checkout time: 12 nn
• Rates are inclusive of service charge
and government taxes
• Add P500 net each for a 3rd or 4th person in the room (breakfast not included)
• Children below 12 years old sharing
room and bed with parents are free of
charge
• Children from 3-12 years old get a
50% discount on meals
• Set lunch and dinner are also available
at P300 net per person. A prior arrangement for lunch or dinner is requested
• A 50% deposit is required in order for
us to confirm the reservation
• Weekend is from Saturday until Monday
Target Shooting Activity
- P200.00 per person
Inclusions:
•Complimentary 20 bullets
• Unlimited playing time
• Game masters and marshals
included for assistance
• Additional bullets - P5 per bullet
• A minimum of eight persons is required. Prior reservation needed
For inquiries or reservations, call:
MANILA OFFICE:
Tel. Nos. 638-7636 or 449-6100 or
636-2886
Fax No. 638-7636
E-mail elcenter@skyinet.net
ANTIPOLO OFFICE:
Tel. Nos. 660-8447 to 56
Fax No. 449-7245
10
LOPEZLINK July 2005
Tips for driving on the newly improved NLE
WHILE the rehabilitation of the North Luzon Expressway
(NLE) was undertaken precisely to cut down on travel time,
there are some things that motorists should keep in mind
when on the expressway:
• Observe the speed limit. Motorcycle patrols strictly
enforce the speed limit and you will be apprehended.
Although tollbooths are no longer needed at the exits in
the expressway's open system, you should take care to
observe the speed limit. Speed limits are there for your
safety and that of others.
• Observe the proper distance when driving. The temptation
to speed up because of the expressway improvements is understandable. But it is also why motorists should observe
proper distance, especially in case an emergency occurs.
• If possible, park near an emergency call box during
emergencies so you can immediately call for help.
Emergency motorist assistance personnel can get to
you sooner. Make sure your emergency lights are on to
warn approaching vehicles.
• Observe the maximum load limit as prescribed by law.
The road will last longer and require less maintenance-
and, therefore, there will be fewer reasons to raise toll
fees. Further, you will be apprehended if you violate the
limit. So save yourself the trouble.
• Take note of your vehicle's overall height, including
overhead baggage. You will pay more if you exceed
height limits for certain vehicle classes. The presumption
here is that the taller the vehicle, the more it weighs.
The improvements on the NLE were made to ensure
motorists a pleasant trip. But with simple planning and
precaution on your part, you should have a pleasant and
safe trip.
WELLNESS TIPS
From the Corporate Wellness Program
Men's health: Don't take prostate cancer sitting down!
PROSTATE cancer is the third most common
cancer among men. The prostate gland is normally about the size of a walnut and is part of
the male reproductive system. The incidence
of prostate cancer markedly increases after
55 years of age.
In the early stages of the disease, there
may be no complaints. However, as the illness progresses, symptoms such as increased
frequency of urination at night, difficulty
with starting and stopping the flow of urine,
weak urine flow or even bloody urine may be
observed. Since these same complaints may
also be observed among those with benign
enlargement of the prostate, physicians can
definitely help you.
One way to detect this new growth is by
undergoing a digital rectal examination
(DRE). Your doctor will insert a lubricated,
gloved finger into the rectum and feel the
prostate, looking for hard or lumpy areas. Although this procedure does not diagnose can-
Calling all badminton
enthusiasts!
THE Lopez Group will hold its first badminton
tournament on August 6, 2005. The schedule of leveling is mid-July at the Meralco badminton court.
There will be seven categories: Executives,
Open (for former national and varsity players),
and for beginners to experienced level, categories
A, B, C, D and E. Each team may field a minimum
of eight players and a maximum of 28 players.
Please contact your respective HRs before July
7, 2005 to sign up, or e-mail Badminton Committee chairman Loi Martinez at lgmartinez@bayantel.com.ph.
cer, it can be used to locate abnormalities that
will guide your doctor to conduct more
definitive tests.
Another test measures the Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA) levels in the blood. This
test is useful in detecting cancer, but it can
produce both false negative tests (normal results are seen even if cancer is present) and
false positive tests (abnormal results are seen
even if there is no cancer). Consultations with
your physician are, therefore, recommended.
Some studies show that regular physical
activity may help in preventing hormonally
related cancers-meaning, those that affect the
reproductive system of men. Regular exercise may decrease the levels of testosterone
and growth factors that influence prostate
cancer growth.
There is some evidence suggesting that a
diet high in fat increases the risk of prostate
cancer. Cut back on fatty meats. Go for more
fish and other seafood.
You don't have to be another prostate cancer
statistic. Take control of your lifestyle and
your diet. Start by keeping these findings in
mind:
• A study by the Johnson Cancer Center at
UCLA showed that a low-fat, high-fiber diet
and regular exercise can slow the growth of
prostate cancer cells by as much as 30%. The
exercise program consists of walking at a target heart rate of 30-60 minutes four to five
times a week, and below target heart rate for
40-60 minutes two times a week.
• A Harvard University research that involved
serving tomatoes twice a week in any form
showed lowered risk of prostate cancer. The antioxidant lycopene that gives the red pigment
to tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit
was identified as a key ingredient. The more
colorful the fruit, the higher the antioxidant factor-try pechay and kangkong instead of cabbage, and carrots and squash for sayote and
upo.
Low is not always slow
YOUR child's low grades could be due to poor vision
Eighty percent of the information we acquire in
life comes to us visually. This includes knowledge,
skills and experiences.
So don't despair if your child always comes home
with low grades. A poor showing in school doesn't
always mean a child is slow or has a mental or psychological problem. Most of the time, it could just be
a result of poor vision.
Dr. Pik Sha Chan-Uy, a retina specialist and pediatric ophthalmologist at the Asian Eye Institute
(AEI), advised parents to have their children's eyes
examined as an initial step.
"From our experience at AEI, simply prescribing
corrective lenses solves the problem of the child's
poor performance in school," she said. "It's only natural that when a child has difficulty seeing what he
needs to read, he won't do well in school. It will be
close to impossible for a child with poor vision to
catch up with his classmates."
The biggest problem is that children have no way
of telling whether their experience is normal or not.
To a child born with a vision problem, a blurred
blackboard is normal, so he does not complain.
"It is up to the parents to observe their children. Is
he squinting or blinking frequently? Does he always
sit very close to the TV? Does he turn his head in a
particular way? These are signs of eye problems that
need to be examined by an ophthalmologist," the
doctor said.
What are these eye problems that cause our children to perform poorly in school? "They're mostly
refractive error, which can easily be corrected by
wearing eyeglasses," Dr. Chan-Uy disclosed. "We've
also had cases of misalignment of the eye, or strabismus, which can have devastating consequences if
left untreated.
"But we are most
concerned about premature babies. They
are prone to a condition called retinopathy of prematurity that could result in vision loss as they grow older. Treatment of
retinopathy of prematurity may be in the form of
laser therapy, freezing treatment or operative surgery
depending on the stage of the disease. That is why
early detection and prompt intervention is a must."
Infants could be examined and treated for eye
problems such as retinopathy of prematurity. Dr.
Chan-Uy advised that premature babies undergo eye
examination as early as possible, even while still in
the hospital; or parents can bring their child to an
ophthalmologist as early as they can in order to detect and treat the problem. If there are no obvious vision problems, children can have their first eye examination at the age of three or 3½.
"Parents should not be afraid to take their kids to
the eye doctor for checkups. We have safe ways of
doing it, and it could save their children's future," Dr.
Chan-Uy said.
For inquiries, call the Asian Eye Institute at 8982020, e-mail eyehelp@asianeyeinstitute.com or log
on to www.asianeyeinstitute.com
LOPEZLINK July 2005
Crossword
BINASA mo ba from cover to cover ang huling isyu ng Lopez
Link? Isa ka ba sa mga masugid na tagasubaybay ng mga programa sa ABS-CBN, Studio 23 o ANC?
Patunayan na isa kang ganap
na kapamilya sa pamamagitan
ng pagkumpleto ng crossword
puzzle na ito. I-fax sa 6333 5 2 0 ( AT T N : M s R O S A N
CRUZ) para makatanggap ng
Blast prepaid Internet card worth
P100 at BayanTel umbrella. Only 20
winners will be chosen. Magmadali!
ACROSS
1. Palaro 2005 champion
7. -- Capitan
10. Lopez Achievement Awards
11. And (Tag.)
12. --- Angeles
14. ABS-CBN's new reality show; big brother
18. Green light
20. OML, MML, FRL, etc.
22. The Filipino Channel
23. ---- Records
24. Bantay Ba-27. --- relay; game played by Lopez Group executives in Palaro 2005
31. Claudine Barretto's character in "Ikaw ang Lahat
sa Akin"
32. Small collapsible bed
34. --- Francisco, city visited by "Wowowee"
35. Official Receipt
36. Takbo Para -- Kalikasan
37. With regard to
38. Award from ECOP received by Meralco
DOWN
2. ---- Cuna, Meralco spokesperson
3. North America
4. La Mesa Eco---5. Not difficult
6. Standard Time
8. --- Piñas
9. Team color of Palaro 2005 champions
13. Benpres president Angel S. --15. Old name of Palaro 2005 venue
16. The real 24-hour news channel
17. Eastern Standard Time
19. O (Eng.)
21. The Lopez Group's version of the Baldridge
Awards
24. The ---- at the Power Plant Mall
25. Real---, concept adhered to by OML
26. Electric ----- distribution
28. ----- Galing Awards
29. ABS-CBN Publishing's magazine for young
kikays
30. Organization of employers in the Philippines
33. --- mismo
36. Yes (Span.)
11
Dear Rosie
QUESTIONS, comments, opinions, suggestions
and reactions about anything and everything about
the Lopez Group of companies? Send them to Dear
Rosie, the newest member of the Lopez Link family, at 633-3520 or to rcruz@bayantel.com.ph.
Dear Rosie,
Thanks for the
feature on the
Palaro. I just wish to
add that while I
helped in the sports
committee, Caloy
Salonga did a very
excellent job and I
just provided the
support. I wish to
commend Caloy for
a great job on chairing the Palaro committee. My congratulations also to all
the others who have
contributed to the
success of the 2005
Palaro.
Thanks,
Rey Sarmenta
VP, FPHC
Caloy Salonga,
VP-HR of Maynilad
Co-chairman of
Palaro 2005
ooOoo
Dear Rosie,
I just want to express my satisfaction with the
many improvements that the MNTC has made
with the North Luzon Expressway. I admit I initially disagreed with the new toll rates. But after analyzing the new toll system and seeing the quality
of the work that the MNTC has done, I can say it
was worth it.
At first, the only improvements I expected were
for the road to be well paved and widened. What
pleasantly surprised me were the emergency call
boxes, motorcycle patrols, automated ticket machines, emergency assistance for motorists, and
even friendly tollbooth tellers.
But what I appreciate most is the reduced travel
time. I wish that all roads in Metro Manila and
elsewhere were like the new expressway.
I hear that most motorists now take the old
MacArthur Highway to avoid the new toll rates. I
hope they stay there, actually. It works for me.
Norman
P.S.: When will the MNTC take over the South
Luzon Expressway?
ooOoo
Dear Rosie,
Natuwa ako nang malaman kong meron na kayong column para sa mga katulad kong minsan ay
walang oras manood ng TV at makakuha ng updates tungkol sa mga idol ko.
Sana ay masagot mo ang mga tanong ko
tungkol sa mga paborito kong kapamilya stars: Totoo bang engaged na sina Kris Aquino at James
Yap? Paano na si Derek Ramsey? Mapapanood ba
namin sa ABS ang kasal? Kelan mag-uumpisa ang
show na Kuya? Tungkol saan ba ito? Ano'ng balak
ng ABS kay Judy Ann Santos ngayong tapos na
ang Krystala?
Aabangan ko ang mga sagot mo.
Thank you,
Lorna
Dear Lorna,
Pagkatapos magsiyasat at makipagpanayam
sa kaukulang department at staff, nakalap ni
Leah Salterio ng ABS-CBN ang mga sumusunod:
Sa The Buzz two weeks ago, inamin ni Kris na
engaged na sila ni James Yap at pormal din niya
itong ina-nounce sa nasabing show. Sa Pebrero
2006 gaganapin ang kasal at siyempre pa, ABSCBN has exclusive rights para i-air ang pinakahihintay na okasyon na ito. As for Derek Ramsey,
never sila naging involved ni Kris, although
magkasama sila sa kontrobersiyal na commercial
ng San Miguel beer.
Ang Kuya ay project name para sa Pinoy Big
Brother, isang reality show na hit na hit ngayon sa
30 bansa; ang Pilipinas ang ika-31 bansa na
magkakaroon ng bersiyon ng Big Brother at maguumpisa na ito ngayong August.
Sa ngayon, pinagpipilian pa ng screening committee ang 12 na tao na magkasamang titira sa
isang bahay for 100 days. Sa loob ng 100 days na
yun, bagamat kukunan ng video, hindi sila pwedeng magkaroon ng contact sa outside world, kung
kaya't bawal ang telepono, TV, relo, computer,
radyo at newspaper.
Maliban pa diyan, may mga challenge galing
sa Big Brother na dapat nilang gawin kada araw.
Isang contestant ang pauuwiin bawat linggo,
hanggang isang tao na lang ang matitira sa katapusan ng 100 days. Ang masuwerteng contestant
ay makakatanggap ng P1 million in cash, brandnew car at house and lot.
Habang inaantay magsimula ang taping para
sa bago niyang soap, nagbabakasyon muna si Juday. Ibabalik ng ABS ang tambalan nila ni Piolo
Pascual at late this year ay mapapanood n'yo na
ang bagong kababaliwang soap na ito.
Hope this helps!
ooOoo
Dear Rosie,
Saan pwede mapanood ang Star in a Million
champion na si Jerome Sala? May concert ba siya?
Paki-publish ng schedule niya sa Lopez Link.
Norma
Again from our dear Leah:
Sa ngayon, wala pang regular gigs si Jerome,
pero mapapanood siya sa ASAP 05 every Sunday
kasama ang ibang Star in a Million winners.
Kelan lang ay nasa Dubai siya para mag-guest
sa TFC Middle East "Search for the Pinoy Pop
Star." Mainit siyang tinanggap ng mga Pinoy doon
at pinagkaguluhan pa pagdating niya sa airport!
May mall tours din siya sa Cebu kasama ang Star
in a Million "Champions League of 5" na sina Mabel Bacusmo, Ryan Racal, Nikki Bacolod at Jonah
Lumbera.
ooOoo
Dear Rosie
May opisina po ba si Atty. Gurfinkel dito sa
Manila?
Hermes
Yes, may office si Atty. Gurfinkel sa Makati.
Ang office numbers niya ay 892-3092 or 894-0258.
Siyempre pa, meron siyang weekly show, ang "Citizen Pinoy," na mapapanood sa TFC.
ooOoo
Dear Rosie,
Saan po ba makakabili ng ABS-CBN flag pin?
Pwede po bang humingi na lang?
Joel
Maraming salamat sa iyong interes at pagsuporta sa flag campaign ng ABS-CBN. Ayon pa rin
kay Leah, para sa Lopez Group employees na may
bulk orders (minimum of 50 pieces), pwede itong
mabili sa halagang P49.50 bawat isa kay Anthony
Gonzales. Sa ngayon, hindi pa for sale sa publiko
ang flag pin. Wala pang pahayag mula sa mga kinauukulan tungkol dito, pero once pwede na, ipapaalam namin kaagad sa inyo sa pamamagitan ng
kolum na ito.
Taglish is Lopez Link readers' language of choice
MAJORITY of Lopez Link readers prefer the use
of Taglish (61%) versus English (31%) and Tagalog (8%), according to a survey conducted in
May 2005.
A total of 126 employees replied to the survey, with 100 of them receiving premiums from
Lopez Group donor-companies. Female respondents comprised 62%, with respondents falling
into the age range of 26-44 years old.
Most of the readers read the newsletter every
month (70%), which they source from the HR or
PR department (92%). Majority (75%) brings
home their copy to share with family and friends.
The readers are interested in seeing projects
(47%) on the cover, celebrities or ABS-CBN talents (33%) and executives (20%). They like to
read about the financial state of the Group, stories on executives and rank-and-file employees
as well as ABS-CBN updates. Their top five favorite sections are the cover (54%), finance
(28%), Executive Profile (24%), Little Lives
(19%) and ABS-CBN (18%).
They seek more information about the various
companies under the Group (34%), updates
(14%), awareness (14%), to know the executives
of each company (9%), to recognize other companies (8%) in the Group, become familiar with
the projects and activities (4%) and to get news
profile before it comes out in other media (3%).
Most (72%) would like to continue with the
monthly frequency of the newsletter, versus
quarterly (18%) and every two months (10%).
All (100%) indicated that Lopez Link helps them
become more familiar with the Lopez Group.
The respondents said that Lopez Link will be
more useful if the following are featured: an up-
dated list of Lopez Group companies (14%),
health and wellness news (12%), tips (12%),
opinions and suggestions of employees (12%),
profiles of ABS-CBN talents and executives
(10%), and jokes and puzzles (10%).
Majority (79%) said that they would not buy
the newsletter if it will be offered for sale to the
employees. The 24% who said they'd buy Lopez
Link suggested a selling price from P2 (6%) to
P10 per copy (25%).
Readers' feedback will be more comprehensively addressed in succeeding issues. Lopez
Link is published monthly under a corporate initiatives program championed by Lopez Group
chairman Oscar M. Lopez. It began publication
in 1999 on a quarterly basis and became a bimonthly publication in 2004. Lopez Link is now
published monthly. (R. Cruz)
12
LOPEZLINK July 2005
Lopez Group service awardees feted in 'Gabi ng Parangal'
CONGRATULATIONS to this year's service award
winners from Lopez Inc., Eugenio Lopez Foundation, First Philippine Holdings Corp. (FPHC) and
Benpres. The awarding ceremony was led by Lopez
Group chairman Oscar M. Lopez (OML) at Rockwell's Loft on June 24, 2005.
SERVICE AWARDEES FOR 2005
First Philippine Holdings Corporation
Five-Year Service Awardees
1. Techserve U. Golfo
2. Crismar M. Lacerna
3. Farley A. Cuizon
4. Anna Josette A. Mendoza
5. Roel M. Espinoza
FPHC 20-year awardee Emelita Sabella; chair and CEO
Oscar M. Lopez, awardee Ernesto Esguerra; president and
COO Elpidio Ibañez; VP-Human Resources Reynaldo
Sarmenta; and awardee Victoria Martinez
OML with the awardees from Benpres, Angel S. Ong, Braulio Alfonso, Ma.
Victoria Marcelino and Arnel Canda (above)
Eugenio
Lopez
Foundation,
Inc. 35-year
service
awardee
Efigenia San
Pedro
15-Year Service Awardees
1. Ernesto B. Rufino, Jr.
2. Cesar Z. Gomez
3. Ralf D. Nabong
4. Ronaldo C. Sabella
5. Carminda B. Miranda
6. Paul I. Blas
20-Year Service Awardees
1. Ernesto A. Esguerra
2. Emelita D. Sabella
3. Victoria A. Martinez
25-Year Service Awardees
1. Benjamin K. Liboro
2. Perla R. Catahan
3. Elizabeth M. Parulan
30-Year Service Awardee
1. Elizabeth M. Canlas
Benpres Holdings Corporation
Five-Year Service Awardee
1. Flordeliza C. Olifermo
10-Year Service Awardees
1. Braulio M. Alfonso
2. Arnel O. Canda
3. Ma. Victoria M. Marcelino
4. Angel S. Ong
Lopez Inc.
10-Year Service Awardees
1. Rudy R. Icoy
2. Maria Belen B. Ramos
Eugenio Lopez Foundation Inc.
Five-Year Service Awardees
1. Cayetano C. Darnayla III
2. Maria Fe. Z. Marpa
25-Year Service Awardee
1. Mercedita B. Servida
35-Year Service Awardee
1. Efigenia B. San Pedro
FPHC 25-year service awardee Perla
Catahan; OML; awardee Benjamin
Liboro; Ibañez; awardee Elizabeth
Parulan; and Sarmenta (above);
FPHC 30-year service awardee Beth
Canlas (left)
OML with Lopez Inc. 10-year service
awardees, Maria Belen Ramos and
Rudy Icoy (above); and with Lopez
Memorial Museum director Cedie
Lopez Vargas and Eugenio Lopez
Foundation Inc. 25-year service
awardee Mercedita Servida (right)
Rainy day reads
from
POWER PLANT MALL
By Monica Eleazar
WHEN it's raining and going out is not an option,
why not spend the day in bed with an engaging
companion that won't ask you for a massage or a
meal--a book! Here, some gems from Fully
Booked at the Power Plant Mall that will surely
get you through the rainy days ahead:
A Long Way Down by Nick
Hornby
Penguin, 257 pages
One New Year's Eve, four
very different characters find
themselves at the top of the same
building with one aim in mind-to jump. Each one tells his (or
her) story, and as these unfold,
they realize they had even less in
common than they thought. Fans
of Nick Hornby will not be disappointed with the
latest novel by this best-selling author.
Fortress Besieged by Qian Zhongshu
Penguin, 426 pages
To u t e d a s " t h e
greatest Chinese novel of the 20th century,"
this classic is finally
translated into English. Set in the 1930s
with the SinoJapanese war as a
background, a man reLopezLink is published by Benpres PR Group
turns to Shanghai with
4/F Benpres Bldg., Ortigas, Pasig City
a phony degree and gets a teaching job at
Telefax: 633-3520
a small-town university. The author uses
For feedback, please email:
satire to express opinions on the adoption
rcruz@bayantel.com.ph
of Western literary traditions and philosophy in middle-class China.
PHOTOS BY MIKE ALCID
10-Year Service Awardees
1. Peter D. Garrucho, Jr.
2. Hector Y. Dimacali
3. Glenn L. Tee
4. Jocelyn G. Juan
5. Sonia M. Raymundo
All Fun and Games Until Somebody Loses
An Eye by Christopher Brookmyre
Little, Brown, 407 pages
From an author best known
for his acerbic wit, this new
novel lives up to readers' expectations. A 40-year-old grandmother suddenly becomes a
skilled secret agent in an attempt to keep her family together. Exciting and filled with moments that will have you laughing out loud.
How We Are Hungry by
Dave Eggers
Penguin, 224 pages
McSweeney's editor and
Pulitzer Prize-nominated
young novelist Dave Eggers is back with his third
title, a collection of short
stories that focus mainly on
characters struggling to escape the difficulties in their
lives. This new book, which reads more like a
journal, showcases his eloquence and talent as
well as his previous work did.
The Batman Handbook by Scott Beatty
Quirk Books, 191 pages
Anyone who's ever wanted
to become a caped crusader
n o w h a s t h e k n o w - h o w,
thanks to this ultimate training manual. From basics like
throwing grappling hooks and
making your outfit, to rescuing damsels in distress and
bulletproofing your Batmo-
MALLW
E SALE
BIG BRANDID
S! BIG SAL!E!
July 15 7, 20
05
Over 60 p-1
rticipating
stores up ato
70% off
bile, this book has all you need--except, of course,
for superpowers.
It's About Time: Great Recipes for Everyday
Life by Michael Schlow, foreword by Mario
Batali
Steer f or th Pr es s ,
219 pages
Despite all the technological gadgets we
have nowadays that are
supposed to make our
lives easier, we seem to
have less time to do the
things that matter, like
eat. Schlow realizes the
importance of time, or
the lack thereof, and
presents recipes that take only as long to prepare
as the time one has on hand.
Illustrated Angels and Demons
by Dan Brown
Bantam Press, 464
pages
This limited edition
coffee table book is a
must-add to any
booklover's collection as
it is filled with full-color
images of all the clues
and settings described in
the text.
(All titles available at
Fully Booked, Level R1, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City. Tel. nos. 756-5001 to
04)