Ayala Now September to October 2008 Edition

Bulletin Board
Isuzu Automotive opens Bohol branch
LAI celebrates
50th anniversary
Photo shows (from left) provincial board member Ceasar Tomas Lopez, Tagbilaran City first lady Sharleen Lim, Bohol congressman Edgar Chatto’s wife,
Pureza Chatto, and Isuzu Philippines Corporation president Keiji Takeda
Isuzu Automotive Dealership Inc. (IADI) continues to expand as it opened its fourth branch in the
Visayas Region. Just a year after Isuzu Iloilo was opened, IADI expanded its reach to Bohol, where
it opened a branch in CP Garcia North Avenue in Tagbilaran City. The inauguration ceremony last
September 26 was attended by key people from Isuzu Philippines Corp., Isuzu Cebu Inc., Isuzu
Automotive Dealership Inc., and local government officials.
As part of the Ayala-owned Isuzu dealerships, Isuzu Bohol is committed to go beyond customers’ expectations by providing the
best options to their automotive-based needs through high quality products and services.
(From left) LAIP chair Marivic Añonuevo, Malcolm Steinberg, and
LAIP president and general manager Raffy Prats Jr.
Ayala welcomes eTelecare with exclusive perks
for Ayala associates
Timezone Philippines celebrated Leisure
and Allied Industries’ (LAI) 50th anniversary
last July 29 with a special dinner at the
CAV Wine Shop and Café in Bonifacio High
Street. The Philippine staff celebrated
this milestone with LAI founder and chief
executive officer Malcolm Steinberg,
together with one of LAI’s longest-serving
and most loyal members, Jaci Fletcher. The
occasion also marked Timezone Philippines’
10th anniversary as the top entertainment
center in the country.
The HR Compensation and Benefits Network (CompNet) of the Ayala group recently welcomed eTelecare as its newest
member during its first Exclusive Ayala Package Roadshow project. The roadshow serves as a one-stop shop to create
awareness on the special perks and discounts provided by the different Ayala companies exclusively for Ayala employees.
The objective is to encourage employees to patronize the Ayala group’s own products and services.
The roadshow targeted eTelecare as its first destination to coincide with its leaders’ conference held in Manila and in Cebu.
A total of about 1,000 leaders participated in this event. The companies represented were Ayala Land, Inc. (Alveo and Avida),
Ayala Life, BPI Auto Loans, BPI Credit Card, BPI Housing Loans, BPI Motorcycle Loans, Honda Cars Makati Inc. (HCMI), Honda
Cars Cebu Inc. (HCCI), Isuzu Automotive Dealership Inc. (IADI), Isuzu Cebu Inc., and Globe Telecom.
HR is now closely working on the marketing of this
program to further enhance the perks and privileges
exclusively for the employees of the Ayala group. More
roadshows are scheduled to follow next year for other
Ayala companies.
Photo shows (bottom, from left) Pamela Wu, HR vice president,
eTelecare; Elis Tanlapco, associate director for HR, Ayala Corporation;
JP Orbeta, managing director for strategic human resources,
Ayala Corporation; and Monina Macavinta, HR group head, Ayala
Automotive Group (HCMI/IADI). In top row are representatives from
Honda Cars Makati Inc., Isuzu Automotive Dealership Inc., BPI Auto
Loans Division and Globe, and (far, right) Andy Cua, BPI Motorcycle
Loan Department vice president
EVENTS@AYALA MUSEUM
EVENTS@FILIPINAS HERITAGE LIBRARY
EDITORIAL BOARD
EXHIBITS
Book Month Sale November 3–29
READ PINOY
12th Philippine Book Development Month Calendar of
Activities
Textbook Research and Development lecture with
Dr. Isagani Cruz
November 7 8:30 a.m. – 12nn
Publisher Victoria Garchitorena
Editor-in-Chief Maritoni Ortigas
Editorial Consultants Emi de Lara, Jones Campos
Managing Editor Alex Gregorio
Deputy Managing Editor Rose Raguindin
Assistant Editor Janella Cacdac-Siena
Graphic Designer Izza Lambino
Advertising Manager Ciela Cayton
Advertising Assistant Jennifer Bascoguin
Photographer Jaime Martinez
Marathon Reading of Noli Me Tangere (as translated by
National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario)
November 8 – 9 1 p.m.
Correspondents
Ayala Aviation Felipe Villanueva
Ayala Business Club Carole Guamen
Ayala Corporation Janella Cacdac-Siena
Ayala Foundation, Inc. Rose Raguindin
Ayala Land, Inc. Zarah Gulapa
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
I Am Ninoy
Ongoing until November 27
Second Floor Glass Lane
Images in Stone: Art in Fossils from the Larry
Gotuaco Collection
Ongoing until November 30
Third Floor Glass Lane
Amosolo’s Women: Concealed and Revealed
October 24, 2008–March 8, 2009
Third Floor Galleries
From Inspiration to Illusion
The Scenography of Eduardo Sicangco
October 26, 2008–January 11, 2009
Ground Floor Gallery
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Fun with Fossils!
For ages 7 to 14
November 8 and 22, 2008 3:00 p.m.
Third Floor Glass Lane
Amazing Amorsolo!
Lecture and sketching/drawing activities
November 15 and 29, and December 6, 2008 3:00 p.m.
Third Floor Galleries
Amorsolo’s Women (Closed gallery tour)
November 7 and 8, 2008 6:15 p.m.
Third Floor Galleries
For more information, please call 7577117 to 21 or visit
www.ayalamuseum.org
16
The evening started with a speech from LAIP
president Raffy Prats Jr., followed by an audiovisual
presentation of LAI’s 50 years of success and an
inspiring message from Mr. Steinberg. Another
audiovisual presentation showcased the highlights
of Timezone Philippines’ operations, its recent
developments, and accomplishments.
VOLUME 12, NUMBER 5 > SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2008
Lost in Translation lecture with Marne Kilates
November 10 8:30 a.m. – 12nn
Writer’s Rights lecture with Atty. Vicente Amador
November 12 8:30 a.m. – 12nn
Market-Based Selling talk with Emily Abrera
November 14 8:30 a.m. – 12nn
How to Read… lecture series Poetry in English with Gemino Abad
November 18 8:30 a.m. – 12nn
Essays with Ma. Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo
November 20 8:30 a.m. – 12nn
Short Story/Novel with Jose Dalisay Jr.
November 25 8:30 a.m. – 12nn
Poetry in Filipino with Vim Nadera
November 27 8:30 a.m. – 12nn
For more details, please call 8921801 or
email cruz.ct@ayalafoundation.org
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/ayalanow
News
Ayala Museum pays
tribute to Amorsolo
page 10
VOLUME 12, NUMBER 5 > SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2008
Patsy Zobel assumes
diplomatic post to
Monaco
Manila Water
P3 billion bond
oversubscribed
page 6
page 3
Awards Harvest
page 9
AFI convenes Global Forum on Migration and
Development Civil Society Days for NGOs
Ayala Foundation recently convened the Global Forum on Migration and Development’s (GFMD) Civil Society Days at the Philippine International
Convention Center with 220 delegates and over 50 international experts and resource persons participating in discussions on opportunities in migration
and development. The forum was held last October 27–28 and formed part of a four-day conference which also brought representatives from over 160
countries together on October 29-30 for the Government Meeting. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon delivered the keynote address at the
Government Meeting.
JAZA
The GFMD brought together governments
and representatives of civil society to
encourage dialogue, cooperation, and
partnership, and foster practical and
action-oriented outcomes at the national,
regional and global levels. Participants and
representatives from various countries also
met to discuss the rights and protection of
migrants, the expansion of legal avenues for
migration, and the challenge of coherence
within nations and across borders.
The GFMD was originally proposed by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan and his special
representative at the High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development held at
the United Nations in 2006. The first GFMD Civil Society Day was held in July 2007 in Brussels
and hosted by the King Baudoin Foundation.
Ayala Foundation was tasked to organize the second GFMD in Manila and was assisted by
the Philippine Organizing Committee, International Advisory Committee, and the Experts
Group. This meeting involved civil society representatives, including migration and humanrights non-government organizations (NGOs), church groups, and private sector leaders, to
Continued on p. 2 >
Manila Water CSR and CENTEX
Nuesa is Finex CFO of the Year
The Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX), in cooperation
featured in ABS-CBN documentary with ING Bank-Manila, named Manila Water chief finance officer and
treasurer Sherisa Nuesa CFO of the Year. Nuesa was lauded for her
ABS-CBN channel 2’s special documentary show, Walang Iwanan sa Bayan “aggressive stance when it comes to finance-related decisions which
ni Juan, recently featured Ayala Corporation president and chief operating empower her to manage risks and tap opportunities.”
officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala and the corporate social responsibility
programs of Ayala Foundation and Manila Water Company. Hosted by
respected broadcast journalist Cheche Lazaro, the show featured the
CSR programs because of their significant impact on the respective
communities served.
Ayala has strongly supported education and entrepreneurship as key to uplifting the condition
of marginalized families.
The documentary cited AFI’s Center for Excellence in Public Elementary Education (CENTEX)
program for providing education opportunities to poor but gifted children, and Manila Water
for its Livelihood Program for the Communities (Kabuhayan Para sa Barangay) that continues
to improve the quality of life of entire communities.
“When the CSR program is aligned with the company’s business goals, the amounts
become much larger because it’s integrated into the business case. A perfect example of
that is Manila Water where CSR is part of their business operations because it also helps the
company,” FZA said.
Continued on p. 2 >
In photo are (from left) ING Bank N.V. (Manila Branch) country manager Consuelo Garcia, BSP assistant
governor Dolores Yuvienco, Manila Water CFO Sherisa Nuesa, ING Asia General Lending (British) regional head
Krista Baetens, and Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines president Eduardo Francisco
The award recognizes the pivotal role of the CFO in the private sector, and in turn the
Philippine economy. Now on its second year, the award pays tribute to the “important
and critical role CFOs play in today’s fast-changing, complex, and evolving financial global
landscape.” A founding member of the International Association of Financial Executives
Institutes based in Switzerland, FINEX is the country’s premier professional association of
financial executives and is composed of more than 700 members.
Nuesa became Manila Water’s CFO in 2000 and led the company’s initial public offering valued
at around $100 million, the first international size IPO after the Asian financial crisis. It was 15
times oversubscribed in the international markets. Three years later, Manila Water’s stock price
doubled, besting other blue chip stocks in the Philippine Stock Exchange. Last month, Manila
Water raised the size of its bond issue from P3 billion to P4 billion.
Students show their artworks to FZA during the CENTEX-Manila visit
“This is not an award for just one person but recognition for the expanded role of the CFO,” said
Nuesa in an interview with Philippine Star. “The more important element now of the CFO job is
really being part of shaping the strategy of business.”
Continued on p. 2 >
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies
1
News
AFI convenes Global Forum on Migration
Continued from p.1 >
discuss relevant issues and
prepare organized input for
the government meeting.
This parallel meeting was
conducted to ensure that
voices from the public and
private sector were heard
and their opinions and issues
were taken into consideration
during the Government
Meeting.
Ayala Foundation executive vice president Bill Luz (left) talks to John
Bingham of the International Catholic Migration Commission
As Civil Society Days
convenor, AFI’s roles were
to develop a process for the
shaping of the agenda and
designing the conference;
to establish a system for the
selection of delegates; and
to manage the logistics of
the conference, including
the designation of speakers,
session chairs, rapporteurs,
and documenters.
“While AFI recognizes
the role of migration and
development, it also believes
that in the middle of all this
Ayala Foundation president Victoria Garchitorena (center) with
discourse are the migrants
Manolo Abella of the International Labour Organization and Susan
Martin of Georgetown University
themselves who are human
beings and, therefore, have
rights. The migrants can contribute better to development if they are empowered, if their
rights are protected, and if they are treated as human beings rather than commodities. AFI will
look into a kind of role that will complement and build on current efforts, increase business
sector involvement, and broaden the constituency for migration and development,” said
director of the GFMD 2008 Civil Society Days Mario Deriquito.
As the major organizer, AFI extended Civil Society Days from its original one-day format to
a full two days in order to accommodate new plenary discussions on business best practice,
the future of GFMD, and a first-ever joint interface session with government representatives.
The Foundation also coordinated national consultation workshops among the Philippine civil
society groups, holding four workshops in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and Metro Manila.
Role of the business community
Migration is more than just people from a particular country looking for work in another
country, it involves migrants’ families. As Civil Society Days conference chairperson Sharan
Burrow stressed, “Migration is a permanent feature of each of our nations and indeed of
globalization, but all too often we forget that it is about people—working people and their
families—and hence, at its core, migration must be about human rights and dignity.”
Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II, in his welcome remarks during the conference, noted the
importance of global migration not only to the country’s economy but to the Philippine
business community as well. “Our country as a whole, and indeed many local companies,
are beneficiaries of migration. Workers’ remittances have strengthened our banking system
and spurred local consumption; our telecommunications companies serve the needs for
connectivity of our overseas Filipinos and their families; our real estate sector, especially in
localities outside the main urban areas, has expanded significantly due in part to sales of
homes and condominium units to migrants and their families,” he said.
However, migration has its costs—social problems, brain drain, discrimination, and abuse.
Financial crisis and climate change also must be considered as news of some countries
barring migrants to reduce domestic employment. “The Philippines has been grappling
with the challenges of balancing the positive effects of migration: remittances, mitigation of
unemployment, the inflow of new ideas, and the expansion of the middle class, among others,
with its social and economic costs—the children left behind, the loss of family values, and the
resulting brain drain,” JAZA explained.
The holding of GFMD in the Philippines came at an opportune time. As a developing country,
the Philippines has relied on its overseas contract workers to help the economy, especially
during a financial crisis. Thus, it has a responsibility to protect the rights of its OFWs and
address social problems that affect migrants’ families. AFI’s unique part of bridging migration
and development includes corporate social initiatives focusing on literacy, training and microfinance loans that benefit migrants’ families. AFI has also been working with the Filipino
diaspora community here and abroad to encourage them to support social development
programs in the Philippines.
JAZA stressed the need to establish an alliance among national and local governments,
business and civil societies, to address complex migration issues today. “As we prepared for
this forum, the Ayala Foundation spearheaded the organizing of our own local, regional, and
national consultations with the various sectors of Philippine society. We all realize that each of
us has a role to play in planning, implementing, managing, and monitoring such a plan, and
that it must encompass all the factors that impact on migration and development. We need
to cover all bases. From the education of our youth, to the crafting of legislation that protects
our workers from predatory employers and labor recruiters, and the many other issues vital
to creating a progressive environment for all parties affected by this global movement of
individuals,” he stated.
Challenges and recommendations
The two-day Civil Society Days
conference discussed the challenges
of adapting to changing times and
developing a new global architecture
that recognizes and respects migrants’
rights. “The challenge is no less for
the world’s leaders to ensure that the
potential for the mobility of the world’s
people, a mobility that is borne of
choice and not desperation, a mobility
that provides opportunities and
not exploitation, is framed by a new
architecture of protection,” Burrow said.
Key recommendations were proposed
to governments at the end of the
conference, urging them to consider
the benefits of migration and resist the
temptation to cut migrant numbers in
the current economic circumstances.
Governments were also asked to
recognize the need for the development
of a new global architecture to ensure
a rights-based approach to migration
and were encouraged to re-affirm
their commitment to development
through realizing the UN Millennium
Development Goals of full employment
and decent work as the priorities
for development.
Civil Society Days conference chair Sharan Burrow
Manila Water CSR and CENTEX featured
Nuesa is Finex CFO of the Year
Continued from p.1 >
Continued from p.1 >
A solid example of this is the assistance provided by Manila
Water for the Alitaptap Multi-purpose Cooperative (AMC)
in Villa Beatriz, Quezon City. A livelihood program through
an initial seed capital extended by the MWC helped AMC to
steadily grow its business venture in supplying the required
various project signages as well as water-meter protectors
for MWC.
everyone to be educated. We want everyone to be able to
get a better life. And we have the resources of the company
and you focus on an area where you think you can make a
genuine difference“.
Romy Escober, AMC chairman, attested to the success
of the program. “We thank Manila Water and Ayala
Corporation for the livelihood opportunity for our
community. The program has helped improve the lives of
many of our neighbors,” he said.
In closing, FZA said, “It’s very moving when you can see
that you can help many people by integrating CSR into
the business. It’s a matter of conscience; but at the end of
the day, we need a country that progresses. We need to
participate in that. We want everyone to succeed. We want
VOLUME 12, NUMBER 5 > SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2008
Nuesa believes that a CFO should be a business
strategist, helping the company define and shape
its future by staying ahead of the game. Taking risky
moves should always be accompanied by calculated
actions and decisions.
Nuesa also reiterated the importance of building
leadership and its role in molding future leaders. She
stressed the importance of social responsibility and the
need not just to become leaders in the conventional
sense, but to also take the opportunity and the
challenge to help and serve people, especially during
trying times.
Nuesa’s major accomplishments include her lead
role in Manila Water’s IPO in 2005, which resulted in
a hike in value of 250 percent. The IPO was 15 times
oversubscribed, which led an international banking
magazine to call it the “deal of the year.”
Billy Escopan, a member of AMC, personally thanked FZA
saying, “Through God’s help we now have a regular and
steady job. I thank Manila Water and Ayala for making it
possible. Now I have money to pay for my house and a
supply of safe water. I used to be a construction worker
and life was tough for me then because work was irregular
and my salary was small. With this livelihood opportunity
through AMC, my life is a lot better because now I can send
my children to school with the money I earn.”
2
AFI’s chief financial officer Wilma Zapata (right) and GFMD
2008 Civil Society Days director Mario Deriquito (second
from right) with Onassis Foundation representatives, during
the GFMD turnover ceremony at the PICC
Her team at Manila Water was also able to raise more
than $300 million in total borrowings and pre-IPO
equity. Since taking over as Manila Water CFO, assets
of the public utility company have grown from
P4.6 billion to P24.4 billion, while the company’s net
worth rose from P2.2 billion to P14.3 billion.
Ayala Foundation president Victoria Garchitorena observes an art
class at CENTEX-Manila
News
HRMall awarded People Program of
the Year by PMAP
Ayala Corporation’s wholly owned company, HRMall, has been recognized by the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) for its
efforts and initiatives to add value to businesses and increase productivity with the People Program of the Year award.
HRMall mancom and the Ayala group HR Council members together with JAZA
HR organizations within the Ayala group of companies have traditionally functioned
independently of the holding company. With 45,000 employees and about 350 HR
practitioners in the Ayala group in 2005, the challenge as articulated by its chairman and
CEO, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II, was to harness the ‘Ayala Group spirit’ of synergy,
raise the bar of human resource practice, develop a talent pool for Ayala, and establish
best practices and newer methods in doing things better. For HR, this meant reviewing the
structure and reorganizing the AGC to make it more relevant, responsive, enabling, and
more focused on value-adding activities as required by business imperatives.
This mandate led to the organization of the Ayala Group HR Council (AGHRC), with HR
directors of the group as members and functional network leaders for five main areas
of HR practice: compensation and benefits; labor/employee relations; learning; talent
management; and technology. The group established a set of values and principles to
guide the moral and ethical standards of its HR practice from policy development to dayto-day management and decision making. After establishing a business case that showed
HR organizations are lacking coordination on policies, practices, and procedures, and
addressing the issues, HRMall was established.
HRMall collaborated with Oracle for the PeopleSoft Human Capital Management (HCM)
platform and for the data center, Innove Data Center, a world-class internet data center
was tapped to re-locate and host the systems and applications that could manage
all employee data and self-service modules. Another key partner of HRMall is Ayala
Systems Technology Inc. (ASTI), which is committed to provide functional and technical
consultants to help in implementation and support projects.
Manila Water P3 billion bond oversubscribed
Manila Water Company’s P3 billion 8.25 percent fixed-rate bonds due 2013 were significantly oversubscribed and the company chose to exercise its
option to increase the offer to P4 billion. This move aimed to cover strong investor demand during the public offer period of Manila Water bonds that
closed on October 17.
Manila Water celebrated its success in the fixed-rate bond
issue in a simple ceremony attended by finance secretary
Gary Teves, Manila Water chairman Fernando Zobel de
Ayala, Manila Water president Antonino Aquino and key
representatives from the joint lead underwriters, BPI
Capital and ING Bank, as well as participating underwriter
BDO Capital.
“This bond issue comes amidst a very difficult time for
financial markets and investors globally. However, despite
the extreme volatility and uncertainty we witnessed these
past few weeks, we were very much pleased with the
response of the domestic market as this P3 billion bond
issue was significantly oversubscribed, prompting Manila
Water to maximize its over allotment option to satisfy
investor demand,” FZA said.
In photo are (from left) Banco De Oro Capital president Ed Francisco, BPI Capital president Jose Teodoro Limcaoco, Head of Clients Asia (ING Bank)
Manuel Salak III, Manila Water president Antonino Aquino, finance secretary Margarito Teves, FZA, Manila Water CFO and treasurer Sherisa Nuesa, and
Banco De Oro-Unibank Inc. president Nestor Tan
He further added, “The proceeds of this bond issue will support the company’s capital
investment program which is critical in maintaining the quality service that Manila Water
has endeavored to deliver to its customers in its concession area. We are delighted to be in a
position to make a difference in the lives of many of our customers, through the provision of
high quality and dependable water service.”
In his keynote speech, Secretary Teves noted that “Manila Water has been a true example of
how the private sector can work closely with government to enhance the delivery of basic
services such as potable water to our people.” Furthermore, the success of the bond issue is “a
strong indication that local investor confidence continues to be positive, despite the financial
events happening globally.” Teves said that compared to other more developed economies,
“our finance and banking sectors are presently, sound, stable, and well-prepared to ride
through this latest economic storm,” due largely to the “sustained implementation of economic
reforms and structural adjustment measures over the years, allowing us to build up sufficient
buffers to strengthen the economy’s resilience to withstand the (current) financial crisis
affecting the major global markets.”
According to Aquino, “We are gratified by the investors’ response to our first bond offer. Manila
Water is privileged to be the first Philippine company to prove that credit continues to be
available to well-rated local companies despite the global financial crisis.”
Since taking over the concession area, Manila Water improved water-service coverage from
58 percent to 99 percent of the service population and increased daily water availability in its
service area from 16 hours to 24 hours. Water sales increased from 440 to 1,040 million liters
per day while system losses dropped from 63 percent to 20 percent.
BPI Capital Corporation and ING Bank N.V. were engaged to act as joint lead managers and
bookrunners for Manila Water’s fixed-rate bond issue, with BDO Capital and Investment
Corporation participating as an underwriter.
“As the global financial market undergoes a period of volatility, we are seeing investors’
flight to quality. Manila Water is engaged in a basic and necessary service to the public and
is backed by strong shareholder groups. This Manila Water fixed-rate bond issue is a highquality investment alternative with an attractive yield for both retail and institutional investors,
especially at this time when it looks like interest rates are headed lower as central banks start
easing monetary policy,” Teodoro Limcaoco, president of BPI Capital said.
In photo are (from left) finance secretary Margarito Teves, FZA, and MWC president Antonino Aquino at
MWC thanksgiving party
Consuelo Garcia, country manager of ING Bank, added: “The local market is still very liquid.
Approximately P516 billion is currently invested in special deposit accounts (SDA) with the BSP
as of mid-September. With Manila Water bonds issue having the highest rating of “PRS Aaa”
and a substantial yield pick-up over the SDA rate, the bonds were an alternative for investors
with excess liquidity.”
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies
3
News
RMAF gathers laureates, leaders to discuss
Asian challenges and sustainability
The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) recently
presented the recipients of the 2008 Ramon Magsaysay
Awards. Now in its 50th year, the foundation selects
organizations and individuals who have made their mark in
six major areas. Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II, chair of the
RMAF board of trustees, headed the presentation ceremonies
and 50th anniversary celebrations.
The 2008 Magsaysay laureates are the following: India’s Prakash Amte and
Mandakini Amte for community leadership; the Philippines’ Grace Padaca
for government service; the Philippines’ Center for Agriculture and Rural
Development Mutually Reinforcing Institutions and Thailand’s Therdchai Jivacate
for public service; Indonesia’s Ahmad Syafii Maarif for peace and international
understanding; Japan’s Akio Ishii for journalism, literature, and creative
communication arts; and Sri Lanka’s Ananda Galappati for emergent leadership.
Innovation Forum highlights next-gen
technology, agricultural research
By conducting networking sessions and hosting lectures on business, science, and
technology, the Innovation Forum aims to promote innovation and technology
entrepreneurship through discussions of key issues on new technology
breakthroughs, products, and approaches, emerging markets and competitions,
and funding. The Ayala Technology Business Incubator (AyalaTBI) conducted
forums in Makati, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro, and invited innovators and
scientists to discuss the future of communications and the vital role that research
and development play in universities.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab
research scientist Dr. Luis Sarmenta discussed two of the more
dynamic research undertakings at MIT—human dynamics and
the Next Billion Network during an Innovation Forum held on
August 6 at the AIM Conference Center in Makati.
An international conference, the Asia Forum was held at the Philippine
International Convention Center in conjunction with the anniversary and
was attended by Magsaysay laureates, leaders from the business sector, civil
society, media, and the academe. Following are excerpts from the speech JAZA
delivered during the conference.
According to Sarmenta, human dynamics uses technology to
automatically collect and analyze measurements of real-world
human interactions to discover, model, predict, and even
influence human behavior. For instance, having sensors in
mobile phones, he said, can help in harnessing location-based
data using global positioning system (GPS), cell towers, or WiFi.
Partnership to a sustainable Asia
This conference has attempted to develop a shared understanding of the major
challenges that face Asians so that we may move forward in greater unison as
we seek solutions to the region’s gravest problems. The Magsaysay laureates
and the rest of the delegates agreed that the estimated 1 billion Asians living
on less than US$2 a day require special attention, including the provision of
social safety nets and a voice in building their own future; that environmental
protection must be integral to development; and that “passing on the torch”
to more stakeholders and particularly to the youth is a vital means of ensuring
genuine and lasting development for the nations and communities of Asia.
Human dynamics technology may also be highly beneficial
to the business process outsourcing sector, Sarmenta said.
Integrating sensors in a call agent’s headset speaker, for
example, can help analyze how pitch and tone patterns
can shape behavior, and help improve customer-relations
management, among others. The Next Billion Network is
an initiative that searches for better ways to connect the next billion mobile phone users. It looks into
innovations that will benefit the poor, who, Sarmenta said, are not necessarily bottom-of-the-pyramid
markets.
The sharing of knowledge, experiences and best practices, as well as the
emergence of trans-boundary and intergenerational leadership is deemed
critical in addressing the grave problems of poverty and inequality,
environmental decline, and social conflict. Crucial as well is the emergence
of collective leadership across boundaries, and the need to develop
intergenerational leadership.
On September 11 in Cagayan de Oro, speaker Dr. William Dar, director general of the International Crops
Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), talked about ICRISAT’s strategies in line with its
vision of improving the livelihood of poor farmers in the semi-arid tropics. Semi-arid tropics receive as
little as 300 mm up to a maximum of 1,200 mm of rainfall a year compared with the Philippines’ annual
rainfall of over 1,000 mm. ICRISAT has focused on crop improvement and management, biotechnology,
and agro-ecosystems development to develop 609 crop varieties and hybrids, which have been released in
77 countries.
The conference has seen many opportunities by which partnerships may be
pursued in many areas. Focal areas of partnerships have been discussed and
shall be explored by the participants even beyond the conference. These
include cooperative arrangements in water management, education, capacity
building, poverty housing, sanitation, environmental protection, renewable
energy, community development, among others. The participants agreed that
scaling up of existing efforts shall be pursued, especially where evidence of
successful “best practices” exists.
Tackling poverty issues is seen as a major step toward addressing issues of
social conflict. Growth is one of the driving forces behind poverty reduction.
As such the participants have agreed to continue to explore ways by
which the private sector in Asia may continue to be involved in the work of
nongovernment organizations.
The urgency of food access has offered opportunities for local communities to
partner with international organizations, such as the World Food Programme.
Innovative schemes for partnership in this area will be pursued particularly in
local-level initiatives, and not just the conventional nationally led, macro types
of programs.
The participants in the Asia Forum collectively recognize the centrality of multistakeholder partnerships as an essential enabler of a sustainable future for
Asia. This recognition stems from an acknowledgment that governments, by
themselves, will not be able to exclusively address the diverse problems that
Asia and the rest of the world confront today. In the same breath, no single
private entity or civil society organization can also singularly banish the many
ills and problems of Asia. In order to effect change, Asians must work with and
for each other.
Guillermo Luz, Ayala Foundation EVP
and (right) Dr. Greg Tangonan, Ateneo
Innovation Center director, at the Innovation
Forum in Davao City
Other breakthroughs include the production of the first transgenic pigeonpea, groundnut, and chickpea
plants, which have been genetically engineered to resist plant viruses. These plants, including sorghum
and pearl millet, are mandate products under ICRISAT’s umbrella, and were specifically chosen because
they can thrive best in semi-arid tropic conditions.
According to Dar, given the region’s living conditions ICRISAT’s strategy is one that integrates agricultural
research into the synergies identified in biotechnology, plant breeding, agronomy, and agro-eco systems.
He added that to ensure continuing innovation and adoption of agricultural and biotech technologies,
public and private partnership is crucial to facilitating the exchange of information and practices
between large and small businesses. This also ensures that research and continuing innovations can be
done in a sustained manner.
At the Davao City forum held on September 11, Dr. Gregory
Tangonan, director of the Ateneo Innovation Center, shared
the multidisciplinary approaches to innovation that he and his
teams at the Center were taking. Tangonan said that the close
industry collaboration for faculty-led projects is necessary to
ensure innovation. For example, instead of writing a thesis for
the sake of fulfilling grade requirements, Ateneo engineering
students structure end-of-term reports by participating in
ongoing projects that seek solutions to current problems.
These projects include biomedical, environment, and smart
energy devices.
Tangonan also talked about discoveries in other research
projects including algae for oil, disaster alarm systems using
wireless infrastructure, and low cost accelerometers for
medical rehab.
Dr. William Dar talks about his experience
and insights during the Innovation Forum
held in Cagayan de Oro City
Ablaza appoints Ernest Cu as new deputy CEO
President and chief executive officer
of Globe Telecom Gerardo C. Ablaza
Jr. announced the appointment
of Ernest Cu as the telecom firm’s
deputy CEO.
Ernest Cu
4
Ablaza said, “The deputy CEO will help step
up our momentum and strengthen our
execution of strategic imperatives, while
deepening the leadership bench in Globe. I
am very excited about Ernest joining us
and I look forward to a more enriched Globe
culture with his entrepreneurial spirit, bias
for execution, and eye for innovation. As
deputy CEO, Ernest will oversee day-today operations, while I focus on corporate
strategy and Globe’s growth agenda.”
VOLUME 12, NUMBER 5 > SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2008
Cu brings with him a wealth of experience in the IT and business process outsourcing (BPO)
sectors. Prior to joining Globe, Cu held senior executive positions in various ICT companies,
including SPi Technologies and e-Telecare Global Solutions. He is widely credited as having
helped build and define the BPO industry in the Philippines. He was awarded ICT Entrepreneur
of the Year by Ernst & Young in 2004, the first Filipino to be given this honor.
In response to the announcement, Cu said, “The convergence of technologies and the
challenging business environment present many unique opportunities for Globe. I am very
eager to be part of the team that will bring Globe, a telecom pioneer in the Philippines, to
the next level of innovation, agility, and operational excellence.”
Globe also appointed Carmencita Orlina as the new consumer broadband group head.
Orlina comes with solid business grounding and strengths in consumer marketing,
sales, and operations. Apart from her business acumen, she is a mentoring leader with
strong process orientation and a keen understanding of product management and
marketing. Orlina will replace Rebecca Eclipse, who will re-assume leadership in the Office of
Strategy Management.
News
Globe Business’s Gil Genio speaks
before SCMAP on business solutions
Globe Business head Gil Genio was the guest speaker at the recently concluded annual
logistics conference of the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines
(SCMAP). He spoke of how Globe Business provides cohesive and relevant end-to-end
business solutions to large enterprises operating in the Philippines, working constantly and
closely with business customers to help them meet their objectives.
Sharing the role of information and communications technology in supply chain management (SCM), Genio pointed
out cases where Globe Business has enabled SCM business processes, such as asset management solutions that would
help improve transportation, distribution, inventory, and order management. Among these are Globe Business’s
Tracker Corporate Edition, Global Positioning System (GPS), TxtConnect, and BizTXT. These enable enterprises to take
advantage of pervasive wireless data networks that help enterprises track their shipments.
“We in Globe consider ourselves squarely in the middle of how businesses can use ICT solutions to become more
efficient or productive, or to reach customers in new ways. But more than just enabling a business SCM, ICT has the
power to transform it. Not only can it drive cost out and enhance revenue, ICT can help us address the many challenges
of SCM today,” Genio said.
Globe Business offers various connectivity tools: multi-label protocol switching, initial program load, dynamic link
library, and Internet. To allow faster sales order taking through to inventory and product manufacturing, there are
enterprise-mobility solutions that can be used, including BlackBerry Internet Service and iPhone 3G, that put access to
corporate systems on mobile phones. With these telecoms solutions, Globe Business provides enterprise customers
the ability to hold, transform, move, and secure data in real time with key clients, suppliers and partners, as well as
foster many-to-many collaboration to enable trade exchange.
Gil Genio of Globe Business during the SCMAP conference
BPI Capital arranges Ayala firms’ bond listing on PDEx
BPI Capital was tapped as one of the lead managers and underwriters in the P10 billion
new bond issuances of Ayala Corporation (AC) and Ayala Land Inc. (ALI). These bonds
are the first corporate securities to be listed on the Philippine Dealing and Exchange
Corp. (PDEx), the country’s fixed-income securities exchange. Prior to AC’s and ALI’s
listing, only government securities were traded in PDEx.
AC listed P6 billion worth of fixed-rate bonds due 2012 on the bond exchange, with a
coupon rate of 6.825 percent p.a., while ALI listed P4 billion worth of fixed-rate bonds
due 2013, with a coupon rate of 8.75 percent p.a. Listing on the PDEx will pave the way
for the trading of the bonds in the inter-dealer and public markets, highlighting the
advancement of the secondary capital market for corporate debt. According to Jaime
Ysmael, ALI’s chief financial officer, “The advantage [of listing] is greater transparency
and better pricing for bond holders.”
Seated from left are AC general counsel Renato Marzan, AC treasurer Ramon Opulencia, SEC head Fe
Barin, PDEx chairman and CEO Vicente Castillo, and PDEx president and COO Cesar Crisol. Standing are
representatives of AC, BPI Capital, and Land Bank
Aside from BPI, the banks tapped to be joint lead managers and underwriters are HSBC
and Land Bank of the Philippines.
Aquino discusses Manila Water’s
social, environment commitment
in FOCAP lecture
Manila Water Company president Antonino T. Aquino was invited to speak at the Foreign
Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP)–sponsored Teddy Benigno memorial lecture
last September 25 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati City. In his speech, Aquino cited the late
journalist’s dedication to truth and justice and called on the business community to contribute to
the development of a better Philippines. He also talked about how Manila Water is rising up to the
challenge through the company’s social development and environment projects.
Ayala Corporation,
Providence Equity
acquire eTelecare
Ayala Corporation and Providence Equity
Partners announced that they have entered
into a definitive agreement with business
process outsourcing (BPO) solutions provider
eTelecare Global Solutions. The agreement
states that Ayala and Providence, a leading
private equity firm specializing in telecom
and media sectors, will tender an offer in
the Philippines and the United States to
acquire all outstanding eTelecare common
shares and outstanding eTelecare American
depositary shares. The total transaction value
will amount to approximately $290 million.
The transaction is not subject to any financing
conditions. The special committee of eTelecare’s board
of directors unanimously recommended the offer to
eTelecare’s board, which approved the transaction.
Manila Water president Antonino Aquino delivers a speech during FOCAP’s Teddy Benigno memorial lecture
“Our further investment in eTelecare underscores Ayala
Corporation’s stated strategy of investing in companies
that are leaders in global growth industries that can
leverage the competitive advantages of the Philippines,”
said Livelt CEO Fred Ayala.
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies
5
News
Patsy Zobel assumes diplomatic Alegria Hills Chapel
in the Grove:
post to Monaco
Inspired by nature
Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) held a groundbreaking
ceremony of the Alegria Hills Chapel in the Grove
last October 10 in Barangay Indahag, Cagayan
de Oro City.
The Alegria Hills Chapel will be built in the midst of a natural
grove of trees within the premier residential development
site. The chapel is an answer to the clamor of Cagayanons for
a community centered on shared spiritual and cultural values.
“Today, ALI and its partners move another step closer to
realizing the community we envisioned for the Cagayanons,”
ALI Vismin vice president Francis Monera said.
Taking the challenge
ALI will build the Alegria Hills Chapel using natural materials
combined with functional aesthetics. This will provide Alegria
Hills’ future residents a comfortable venue for meditation.
ALI VisMin Real Estate Development Group head Tetta Baad
said that ALI will create a natural oasis within Alegria Hills
to provide respite for Cagayanons. Baad also said that the
development “enables residents to live life fully by creating a
balance that will enhance the quality of our lives and allow us
to be in touch with our spiritual nature.”
Patricia Zobel de Ayala converses with H. S. H. Prince Albert II of Monaco after presenting her credentials as Honorary Consul of the
Republic of the Philippines, which has been recognized in the Principality of Monaco. Her appointment was published in Monaco’s
Journal de Monaco last September 12
Ayala, BPI and Globe form Philippines’
first mobile microfinance bank
Ayala Corporation, Bank of the Philippine Islands, and Globe Telecom signed a memorandum
of agreement to form the country’s first mobile microfinance bank. The companies intend to
use Pilipinas Savings Bank, a wholly owned BPI subsidiary, as the vehicle for the venture. The
microfinance bank will extend wholesale loans to microfinance institutions and offer other
microfinance products in the future. It will also use mobile technology to deliver financial services
and expand its retail client base.
The agreement is still subject to the execution of definitive agreements and to the approvals of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
and other government regulators.
Inspired by nature
The chapel area will be surrounded by plants and trees—
50 percent indigenous plants and shrubs, while the other
half will include exotic species. For the trees, 80 percent are
indigenous, while 20 percent will be exotic. These indigenous
trees will include those most suitable to Mindanao soil such
as narra, mahogany, acacia, sampalok, bagras and balitbitan,
while the exotic trees include Spathodea, golden shower,
Bushida, and others.
A chapel designed for Cagayan
Cagayan de Oro has a unique sun and wind orientation, thus
the chapel is designed with a lofty roof and high ceiling to
allow air flow and hot air dispersal. Its sloped roof functions
to drain off water during heavy rains, while the purpose of the
open-walled planning is to allow a continuous flow of air in
and out of the structure. The use of light hues in the design
will help to deflect heat away from the chapel.
Architect Marcos de Guzman adhered to Frank Lloyd Wright’s
organic tropical philosophy for the chapel’s design. Under
this architectural philosophy, construction design is “a
reinterpretation of nature’s principles to build forms more
natural than nature itself.” In addition, De Guzman has
adopted two-key architectural factors: organic architecture
and tropical architecture in conceptualization and design,
making the Alegria Hills Chapel an ideal venue for family
meditation and prayer.
“We celebrate the Chapel in the Grove, and pray that it will
make life for our future residents a blessing,” said Baad.
The venture seeks to further enhance Ayala’s participation in building a financial ecosystem within the microfinance
community. BPI has an ongoing wholesale lending program for finance institutions and Globe has been providing several rural
banks and microfinance institutions with G-Cash for money transfers and loan collections.
Present during the signing of the MoA are (from left) Pilipinas Savings Bank chairman Gil Buenaventura, BPI president Aurelio Montinola III, Globe
president Gerardo Ablaza Jr., and Ayala Corporation’s senior managing director Delfin Lazaro
6
VOLUME 12, NUMBER 5 > SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2008
ALI VisMin officials (from left): ALI VisMin vice president Francis Monera,
Promenade Landholdings Inc. director Manny Boniao, ALI VisMin Real
Estate Development Group head Tetta Baad, and ALI Cagayan de Oro
sales manager Carol Alloso
Proudly Ayala
Globe’s Oi, May Gimik! filled with gigs and gadgets
Oi, May Gimik! brought together young people and filled the SMX
Convention Centre with live gigs, phone sale and other exciting activities
Globe Telecom’s Oi, May Gimik! brought barkadas together last September
27 in an event that featured games, gigs, and gadgets. The event kicked off
with free play on popular e-games like Cabal. Other exciting activities such
as wall climbing, velcro wall jump, obstacle courses, and a celebrity dating
game filled the 6,000-square-foot venue at the SMX Convention Center.
Thousands also took advantage of fantastic deals in the Gr8 Phone Sale,
where mobile phone units were sold for as low as P950.
Globe also gathered celebrities from two major television networks in a variety show that
featured Angelica Panganiban, Ehra Madrigal, Michelle Madrigal, JC De Vera, Gabe Valenciano,
and Maxine Magalona. Pinoy Dream Academy stars Laarni Lozada, Buboy Drilon, and Miguel
Mendoza joined the celebrities onstage.
Top Pinoy bands Rocksteddy, Imago, Callalily, and Paraluman rocked the night away in a fitting
end to Globe’s extraordinary day-long barkada gimik.
Throughout the day, visitors tried Globe’s latest services such as Unlimited Friendster and
Facebook UPD8s and Unlimited Chat on YahooMessenger. They were also able to create their
own barkada profiles on www.24ever.com.ph and share their stories and photos, and upload
video clips.
“Barkadas always need to be connected and Globe is helping them do this through unlimited
chat on YM and updates on Friendster through their mobile. It’s much more fun, easy to use,
and relevant to their lifestyles,” says Mark Castillo, segment business head for youth marketing.
“Globe understands that friends need an affordable and fun way of communicating, that’s why
we’re offering these together with our existing UnliTXT and SaktoCalls services.
Lucky visitors won special prizes, including a Boracay Barkada Getaway Package; 12 sets of
MyPhone P31; Nokia 1208 and ZTE A308 mobile phones; and 12 sets of P10,000 cash in an
hourly raffle.
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The official publication of the Ayala group of companies
7
Proudly Ayala
HCMI takes gold award for customer service improvement entry
Honda Cars Makati Inc.’s (HCMI) quality circle Full Quarters bagged the Gold
Award in the 2008 Productivity Improvement Circles National Convention
(PICNC) with its entry, “Reducing the number of customer concerns from
5.20 percent to 0.24 percent during the receiving process” in the nonproduction category. The competition was held last September 18–19 at
the Pearlmont Inn in Cagayan De Oro.
This recognition came after HCMI took home the Gold Award in the 28th Quality Circles
Regional Convention (QCRC) held last August. Full Quarters is composed of Honda Cars
Alabang service associates Jeffrey Rommel Dacanay (QC leader), Prences Charm Frago
(QC secretary), Luis Miguel Alovera, Riccio Mari Colindres and Raymond Factora, with Ryan
Arante as the QC adviser.
HCMI has continued its winning streak in external QC competitions since the launch of
its Quality Circle program in 2003. Since it started participating in external competitions
in 2004, HCMI’s entries have earned a silver and four gold awards during the regional
convention. At the national convention it won two silvers, one of which was in the
production category.
Motivated by its pioneering work and achievements, HCMI consistently pursues quality and
excellence through active participation in competitions that allow the company to show its
best practices in workplace quality and productivity.
Full Quarters quality circle members (from left) Riccio Mari Colindres, Jeffrey Rommel Dacanay, Raymond
Factora, QC adviser Ryan Arante, Prences Charm Frago, and Luis Miguel Alovera represented HCMI during the
Productivity Improvement Circles National Convention (PICNC)
Timezone shares the magic of granting wishes
Make-a-Wish Foundation recipients open their “wish to have“ gifts
Four children enjoyed an afternoon of nonstop fun, excitement, and
surprises as Timezone took part in the wish-granting activity of Make-aWish Foundation Philippines. The kids and their families had a great time
as they played at Timezone Glorietta 4, last September 25.
Four recipients, all boys, and their families, had fun in exciting activities at Timezone, where
they enjoyed a special game called Timezone Star Relay, which requires players to go through
different games to get the grand prize. The boys’ wishes—a personal computer, PlayStation,
and Gameboy—were granted by Metrobank Foundation.
Make-a-Wish Foundation recipients enjoy a fun-filled day at Timezone
Make-a -Wish Philippines is the first and only nonprofit wish-granting foundation in the
country that provides hope and happiness to children and young people with life-threatening
illnesses by granting their wishes. There are four types of wishes that may be granted—wish to
go to, wish to meet, wish to be, and wish to have. Timezone supports these kinds of activities
by sharing with the kids a day of fun and entertainment, giving them hope and joy despite
their illness.
Globe receives first DLSU alumni association President’s Award
Globe president and CEO Gerry Ablaza (center) was joined by (from left) Globe Corporate Media Strategy and Design Management head Dodo
Reyes, Globe Segment Business Group head Cathy Santamaria, Globe chief information officer Rodell Garcia, and Globe Sales and Distribution head
Bernie Llamzon
8
VOLUME 12, NUMBER 5 > SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2008
Globe Telecom recently received the first
President’s Award from the De La Salle Alumni
Association for Globe’s continued support
to the institution as well as to other various
Lasallian alumni associations. Globe president
and CEO Gerardo Ablaza Jr. (center) received
the award from Henry Atayde (left) and Bro.
Bernie Oca, FSC (right) during the 1st Lasallian
Excellence Awards.
Feature
Awards harvest: Ayala Malls, BPI recognized by
international media, associations
In photo, (from left) Hamm Katipunan (AMG business development), Maricris Bernardino (AMG advertising and
promotions), Catherine Bengzon (AMG marketing services), Guan Tan Heng (ICSC Asia-Pacific director), Cora
Dizon (AMG business development), Michael Kercheval (president and CEO, ICSC USA), Marivic Añonuevo (AMG
group head), Rowena Tomeldan (AMG vice president), Clavel Tongco (Ayala Center Cebu marketing), Katherine
Fabian (Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation-marketing), Faith Herrera (Ayala Center Cebu), Clifford
Academia (Ayala Center Cebu), Marc Buencamino (Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation-Operations)
The Bank of the Philippine Islands and Ayala Malls recently garnered
awards given by international publications and industry associations.
Ayala Malls won two gold awards and one silver award in the first
International Council of Shopping Centers, Inc. (ICSC) Asia Shopping
Center Awards, for its innovative solutions in design and development,
and creative responses to market trends.
The Bank of the Philippine Islands, on the other hand, won awards from the international
media for successful use of marketing campaigns and sizeable investment in distribution
channels to maintain its top position in the auto finance and mortgage services.
Ayala Malls raises the bar
Ayala Malls, known for innovative retail developments, building beyond commercial spaces,
and creating well-planned lifestyle centers, raised the bar once again by winning three highlycoveted awards in the first ICSC Asia Shopping Center Awards in Macau.
ICSC is the global trade and professional association of the retail real estate industry. Through
the Asia Shopping Center Awards, it recognizes excellence within the region’s shopping center
industry and honors outstanding achievements in marketing and design/development of
retail properties.
The award-winning entries are:
Bravo Filipino: A Tribute to Filipinos’ Creativity and Ingenuity - Gold Award (Marketing,
Community Relations)
Conceptualized by Ayala chairman emeritus Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Bravo Filipino was a fourmonth festival celebrating examples of Filipino genius in music, fashion, photography, and
dance during the opening of Greenbelt 5.
Bonifacio High Street - Gold Award (Development and Design)
Bonifacio High Street is the first “main street” development in the Philippines, the focal point of
what is envisioned as the next megacity in Metropolitan Manila.
Trinoma: The Philippines’ Largest, Richest City Wakes Up to a Mall They Can Call Their
Own – Silver Award (Development and Design)
The opening of Trinoma transformed the city into a hub of commerce and activities—
similar to the Penn Station in New York but bigger. It houses unique shopping, dining, and
entertainment choices to provide only the very best to the market that it serves.
BPI bolsters reputation in banking industry
BPI bagged its sixth consecutive Best Retail Bank in the Philippines award from the Asian
Banker and has been recognized by two prestigious institutions for its trade market service
excellence. Alpha South East Asia magazine cited BPI as Best Trade Finance Bank, and
Euromoney chose BPI as the Best Local Trade Bank.
The Asian Banker, the region’s most authoritative provider of strategic business intelligence to
financial services communities, recently bestowed on BPI an unprecedented sixth consecutive
Best Retail Bank in the Philippines award, citing the bank’s “increased profitability and
enhanced distribution and business process capabilities.”
BPI accepted the award at the Asian Banker Excellence in Retail Financial Services 2008 Awards
ceremony at the Westin Grande Sukhumvit in Bangkok, Thailand, during the region’s most
prestigious retail banking event, The Excellence in Retail Financial Services Convention.
The awards program, a celebration of the region’s best, recognizes outstanding banks’ efforts
in providing superior products and services to their customers. The event was directed by the
Asian Banker and was attended by prominent global bankers, consultants, and academics.
More than 150 senior bankers from 23 countries across the Asia Pacific, the Gulf region, and
Central Asia attended the event.
The award evaluation process included a comprehensive methodology that involved
extensive research and probing interviews, and tapped the combined experience of a team
of researchers. The process also incorporated an AC Nielsen customer perception survey in
gauging the strength and reputation of retail banks in different countries.
BPI was selected based on its performance and growth in the past 12 months. The Alpha South
East Asia magazine awards are open only to locally-incorporated banks that are committed to
local corporate and non-banking financial institution clients, as well as state-linked agencies
and departments in their countries.
BPI senior vice president Imelda Trillo (left) receives the Best Retail Bank award from Bangkok Metropolitan
Authority governor Apirak Kosayothin
Euromoney Trade Finance Asian Awards for Excellence has chosen BPI for performing
consistently well in pushing for trade finance in a particular market as well as giving excellent
service.
Alpha South East Asia is an independent institutional investment magazine that was
launched in January 2007 to keep incremental developments taking shape in the region in
the headlines. The monthly magazine is written for institutional investors and management
companies in the US, Europe, Hong Kong, the Middle East, Singapore, and other Asian
countries. Its readers include banks, board-level executives, brokers, chief executive officers,
chief financial officers, institutional fund and asset fund managers, and personnel from central
banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, and monetary agencies.
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies
9
Feature
Images in Stone unveiled
Ayala Museum’s Images in
Stone: Art in Fossils from the
Larry Gotuaco Collection
reveals a collector’s great
infatuation with fossils.
It showcases a quality
selection of actual fossils and
magnifications of images
found in them, created solely
by natural forces. Found in
several parts of the world
and of various ages, the
fossils are divided into four
main categories: petrified
wood; dinosaur bones and
byproducts; ammonites;
and rocks and stones. Using
photography to present
the multiplicity of designs,
patterns, colors, and shapes,
this exhibition shows the
organic transformed to
inorganic matter. Together, the
fossils and the images reveal
a multiplicity of colors, forms,
sizes, and shapes that can only
be brought about by the earth’s
constant transformation.
Ayala Cares
Amorsolo
Ayala Museum pays tribute to
Guests who attended the unveiling of the Amorsolo exhibit at the Ayala Museum include (from left)
Alfredo Roces, Evelyn Lim Forbes, Bea Zobel, JZA, Cesar Virata, and AFI president Victoria Garchitorena
Ayala Museum celebrates the life and works of the first National Artist
with Amorsolo’s Women: Concealed and Revealed, which will run from
October 24, 2008 to March 8, 2009 in the third floor galleries.
Known as the “painter of Philippine sunlight,” Fernando Cueto Amorsolo (1892-1972)
painted the glow of Filipinos from within—their values, character, and soul. His genre
paintings that feature women draw inspiration from the lives of ordinary folk, portraying
their industry, integrity, and resilience. Many of Amorsolo’s paintings in the prewar years
were dalagang bukid types, tangible expressions of the prevailing sentiments of optimism
and hope for the Philippines.
Amorsolo’s early charcoal studies and bocetos (initial oil sketches) from the 1920s were
extensions of his beaux-arts training and evidence of a mastery of his craft. He continued
to work with professional models and his postwar sketches reveal him at his most
spontaneous. The two-hour sessions a day that he earmarked for nude studies offered him
respite from the numerous commissioned portraits and genre paintings that piled up in his
studio. Interestingly, he kept these charcoal and pencil drawings mostly for himself and his
family and reserved the painted nudes for select clients.
Through these images the exhibition will investigate possible themes of power and gender,
costume as identity, and nationhood as embodied by his portrayal of the Filipino woman.
The exhibition will survey Amorsolo’s rendering of women from the country maidens
during the American period to the nude studies from the postwar years and will be a fitting
tribute to the artist’s brilliance.
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VOLUME 12, NUMBER 5 > SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2008
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11
News
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VOLUME 12, NUMBER 5 > SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2008
News
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies
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Ayala Cares
California-based chefs give back through AF USA
Top Filipino chefs in the San Francisco Bay Area gathered together for a benefit dinner hosted by Ayala Foundation USA (AF USA) last September 14.
Held at the residence of AF USA chairman Diosdado Banatao in Atherton, California, Filipino Bytes: A Celebration of the Pleasures of Filipino-Inspired
Cuisine, featured Filipino culinary talents in San Francisco and the peninsula. Chefs Kelly Degala of Pres A Vi, Jennie Lorenzo of Fifth Floor, Tim Luym of
Poleng Lounge, Emmanuel George Santos of Bistro Luneta, and Daniel Sudar of Red Lantern whipped up classic Pinoy dishes with a twist for a night of
pure gastronomic delight.
“It feels great to be a part of this first-of-its-kind event and I am glad to be of help to a very
worthy cause,” said Santos of Bistro Luneta. The dinner proceeds will fund the operations of
AF USA, which acts as a channel for funds raised by overseas Filipinos in support of socialdevelopment programs in the Philippines. One of AF USA’s banner programs is Gearing Up
Internet Literacy and Access for Students (GILAS), which aims to connect all public high
schools in the Philippines to the Internet.
“At first, we were not sure if we could really gather all these five incredibly talented and
extremely busy Filipino chefs in one place and make them work together to come up with a
dining event to remember,” said Maria Banatao, AF USA special events chair. “But all the chefs
got very enthusiastic about this, especially when they learned it was for a very good cause.
They were all willing and eager to help their disadvantaged kababayans in their homeland,”
added special events co-chair Sheri Burke.
Among the distinguished guests were the Philippine consul general from San
Francisco Marciano Paynor Jr., Ayala Corporation co-chair Fernando Zobel de
Ayala, and AF USA president Victoria Garchitorena. Also present were prominent
members of the Filipino-American community, including Lyn Hess, Offie Maristela,
Michael Balaoing, Joe Lumarda, Greg Macabenta, and Denny Roja.
Executive chefs receive their plaques of appreciation after AF USA’s benefit dinner Filipino Bytes last
September 14. From left, Kelly Degala of Pres A Vi, Geomel Santos of Bistro Luneta, Jennie Lorenzo of Fifth
Floor, Jeffrey San Diego of Red Lantern, and Tim Luym of Poleng Lounge
The chefs turned old Pinoy favorites into inventive culinary masterpieces like grilled
homemade tocino and longganisa glazed with annatto-cilantro oil, fresh oyster shooters
with gazpacho, maki made from milkfish, tomatoes and salted duck egg, and pinakbet made
from baby Filipino eggplant, okra, bitter melon, summer squash, spicy bagoong, crispy
tamarind pork belly, and prawn salt. Guests chose from a variety of delectable desserts
such as ube tapioca with a touch of mango-infused basil seeds, crème caramel custard with
coconut tuille, and almond-olive cake with yuzu crème.
The culinary event, described by guests as an evening to remember, was sponsored by Ayala
One and Medical Care Professionals.
AyalaTBI and G2VC sign agreement to help technology entrepreneurs
Ayala Foundation Inc. executive vice president Guillermo Luz and managing partners of Global Gateway Venture Capital (G2VC), Winston Damarillo and
Martin Lichauco, signed an agreement to address the needs of technology entrepreneurs in the country. G2VC and AFI agreed to aid technology growth
by bringing in more innovative ideas into tech boot camps, tap capital to fund the first round needs of projects, and incubate and grow these into
competitive technology enterprises that can serve both domestic and global markets.
AFI, through its Technology Business Incubator Network (AyalaTBI), and Global Gateway
Venture Capital recognize that collaborative efforts will more effectively help develop new
technology companies.
AyalaTBI builds networks for entrepreneurs to enable them to develop, build, and expand
technology start-ups in the country. This ecosystem is composed of technology developers,
financiers (including angel investors, venture capital firms, and banks), industry partners, and
support services such as legal services for intellectual property protection, property providers,
marketing services, and accounting and audit services.
G2VC is a venture capital firm focused on investments in information and communication
technology. Both G2VC and AyalaTBI believe that in order for the Philippines to build up
its competitiveness, they must enhance a system and create better chances of success for
technology businesses to start and take root.
Luz said that scholarships complemented with investment incentives for technology and basic
research and development and diaspora linkages augmented with a business development
strategy can attract technology transfer, contracts, and capital from outside back into the
Philippines. Without that, the country will continue to lose some of its scientists to overseas
posts while relegating the local technology business sector to low value-added businesses
rather than focusing on research and development work in higher value-added products and
services.
The AFI and G2VC collaboration launches a “web of partnerships which includes universities,
industry, Philippine scientists and technologists (as well as non-techies working in technology
companies), and research institutions” Luz said.
Globe and PPSTA seal partnership
Globe Telecom and the Philippine Public School Teachers Association (PPSTA) have recently established a partnership that would allow more
than 200,000 teacher-members of PPSTA to benefit from Globe’s relevant and easy-to-use mobile services. PPSTA members nationwide will be
able to take advantage of Globe’s special SIM offering, mobile commerce facility G-cash, and SMS service, particularly created for the needs of big
organizations like PPSTA.
Globe introduced the new MyPPSTA SIM,
with a customized design and theme
“Sa MyPPSTA SIM, Angat ka Gurong
Pilipino,” to outstanding PPSTA awardees,
members of the board of trustees, and
management committee of the PPSTA. The
SIM will be distributed free to all members
in the country. The majority of PPSTA
members reside outside Metro Manila,
and through MyPPSTA SIM, they can
now avail of special transaction rates and
enjoy the convenience of having unique
communication services.
Sealing the new partnership between Globe and PPSTA are (seated, from left) PPSTA Conservator Francisco Josef, PPSTA president Mario Ramirez, Globe head for
National Affinity Sales Jasmin Montelibano, and (standing, from left) the PPSTA board of trustees and constitutional officers, with Globe business specialist Omni
Amisola, Globe Affinity Segment business manager Cons Babas, Globe National Affinity sales cluster head Jules Verne Reyes, PPSTA marketing and customer
relations officer Dillon Arante, and marketing associate Jenny Ho
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VOLUME 12, NUMBER 5 > SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2008
PPSTA is composed of administrators,
supervisors, classroom teachers, nonteaching support personnel, nurses,
doctors, and dentists, all under the employ
of the Department of Education.
Bulletin Board
Globe supports NLDC’s 2008 SIPAG Awards
Globe Telecom continues to recognize outstanding micro, small
and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by supporting this year’s SIPAG
Awards. The 2008 SIPAG Awards honors microfinance institutions
and micro-entrepreneurs who have shown exemplary performance
and accomplishments in loan portfolio management, outreach, credit
worthiness, and project sustainability.
This year’s Most Outstanding Entrepreneur recipient is Emily Ordonia, a farmer from Kayapa,
Nueva Vizcaya. Ordonia’s perseverance and her entrepreneurial spirit have made her the top
winner in the micro-entrepreneur category. She was able to rise above poverty by improving
and expanding her farm with help from National Livelihood Development Corporation (NLDC)
funds and through sheer imagination, innovation, and determination.
For the second straight year Globe is supporting the SIPAG Awards, an annual project of the
NLDC, the government wholesale lending arm that supports MSMEs in Agrarian Reform
Communities (ARCs).
Launched in 2006, the SIPAG Awards has two categories. The program partner category
recognizes NLDC partner institutions that have shown remarkable performance in providing
access to microfinancing and other assistance to micro-entrepreneurs, primarily in agrarian
reform and marginalized communities. The micro-entrepreneur category highlights the
successes of micro-entrepreneurs who emerged beyond poverty levels through NLDC funds,
with determination and discipline.
The SIPAG awardees were carefully selected out of NLDC’s 126 partner institutions and more
than 100,000 individual microfinance borrowers.
In photo are Ma. Barbara Coronel, Globe Business Segment marketing manager, and (right) SIPAG 2008 Most
Outstanding Entrepreneur, Emily C. Ordonia
Manila Water waste-to-energy project nears completion
Manila Water Company’s sustainable development program will get a
boost with the upcoming completion and commissioning of its waste-toenergy project for the Makati South Sewage Treatment Plant (MSSTP). The
milestone project is now 85 percent complete and will be fully operational
by December.
Manila Water has adopted a comprehensive sustainable development program aligned with its
business that covers preserving and sustaining the environment, particularly watersheds and
waterways. For this innovative project, the company used available technology to convert to
electricity biogas byproduct produced at the MSSTP during the treatment of sewage.
In partnership with the Philippine Bio-Sciences Co. Inc., an integrated solutions provider,
Manila Water has refurbished and upgraded the MSSTP and installed a new system that can
produce 300 kilowatts of electricity, which exceeds the plant’s power requirement of 264
kilowatts per day. The MSSTP facility was constructed in 1964 and employs the conventional
sewage-treatment process involving screening, primary sedimentation, activated sludge,
and final sedimentation disinfection. The facility has a daily maximum processing capacity
of 40,000 cubic meters of wastewater collected from households, industrial plants, and
commercial offices.
Manila Water manager for project development Marnellie Bautista explained that the
technology involves the extraction and collection of methane while processing sludge. The
captured methane gas would then be stored and used as fuel for generators to be installed in
pre-identified localities.
South Septage Treatment Plant
“Manila Water views the MSSTP as a sustainable project designed to help address
environmental concerns and pollution issues with the elimination of the stench from biogas
and also be as an effective mechanism in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions,” Bautista said.
Manila Water joins 23rd International
Consular Corps Partners with Globe
Coastal Cleanup
The Consular Corps of the Philippines, an association of over 200 career and honorary
consular officers of foreign embassies and missions in the country, enters into an
exclusive telecommunications partnership with Globe Telecom for its yearlong program
of activities. Globe will also serve as a major sponsor of the Corps’ various activities,
particularly the 33rd Annual Consular Ball in December, which is an important fellowship
event in the Philippine international community calendar. Recently, Globe was already
made a major sponsor of the Corps’ Diplomatic Jazz Fellowship Night.
Manila Water employees who are also members of the 503rd Water Service Battalion of the
AFP Affiliated Reserve Group joined lead organizer, Department of Environment and Natural
Resources, and other agencies and nongovernment organizations for the celebration of
the 23rd International Coastal Cleanup. The coastal cleanup was held along the coastline of
Roxas Boulevard last September 20. Manila Water has formed strategic partnerships with
government to strengthen efforts in protecting water bodies and the environment as part of
its sustainable development efforts.
Shown during the signing of the memorandum of agreement are Estonia Consul General a.h. and
Consular Corps past dean Juan Pena (left, middle) and Globe Segment Business group head Cathy
Santamaria (right, middle). Beside them are Japan consul general and acting Consular Corps Dean
Hidenobu Sobashima, (left) and Globe Segment Business head Maria Louisa Cabreira (right). Standing
from left are: Guatemala vice consul a.h. Marc Ablaza, Globe Segment business manager Cynthia
Mangahas, Guatemala consul a.h. Amelia Ablaza, Costa Rica consul general a.h. and past dean Fausto
Preysler Jr., and Monaco consul a.h. Fortune Ledesma, Diplomatic Jazz chair.
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies
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