Ayala Now April – June 2015 Issue

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AYALA GROUP OF COMPANIES
Volume 19 NUMBER 2 APRIL - JUNE 2015
Celebrating Globe and Disney’s new partnership
INSIDE
Ayala’s energy investments
gain momentum
UP Town Center welcomes
Wellworth, Qualimed
•5•
The latest addition to Ayala’s growing portfolio of power generation assets, the
first unit of South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation’s coal-fired power plant in
Calaca town in Batangas, was formally inaugurated on June 5.
SLTEC is a joint venture between AC Energy Holdings Inc. and Trans-Asia Oil and
Energy Development Corporation, the power arm of Phinma Corporation. It is
composed of two 135 megawatt units and utilizes circulating fluidized bed technology.
To page 10
LINC@Arellano
Junior College Program takes off
Ayala Education’s new partnership
anticipates the implementation of K to 12
•4•
IMI strengthens partnership
with global suppliers
Ranked 18th in the world, IMI acknowledges
the contribution of supplier partners
•6•
BPI Sinag lights the way
for young social entrepreneurs
A nationwide competition seeks to empower
SMEs with a social mission
• 13 •
Globe, MWC beef up disaster
preparedness, emergency protocols
Ayala’s telco and water infrastructure
companies are gearing up for “The Big One”
• 14 •
Ayala Museum updates
iconic diorama exhibition
Eighteen historic scenes come to life
with 3D augmented reality
• 15 •
Ayala reports P5.0 billion net income in Q1
“We continue to be encouraged by the strong performance of the businesses
across the group. We remain optimistic that we can sustain the strong
first quarter results throughout the rest of the year, and stay on track to
meet our strategic goals and financial targets,” Ayala President and Chief
Operating Officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala said.
Business unit highlights
Most of Ayala’s core businesses reported double-digit earnings growth
year on year in the first quarter.
Ayala Land reported a 19 percent growth in net earnings to P4.1 billion, boosted
by a 13 percent growth in real estate revenues. Bank of the Philippine
Islands’ net income climbed 36% to P4.9 billion from the same period last
year. Globe Telecom’s bottom line grew significantly by 43 percent over the
same period last year to P4.2 billion.
Ayala Corporation posted P5.0 billion in net profits in the first quarter
of the year, driven by sustained positive momentum in its real estate,
banking, telecom, and electronics manufacturing businesses, while
new businesses, particularly in power generation, have moved to
execution phase.
Without the effect of the P1.8 billion divestment gains from its
business process outsourcing unit in 2014, Ayala’s first quarter earnings
grew 39 percent. With the divestment gain considered, net profit
declined 8 percent. Ayala’s positive earnings momentum in the first
quarter is further reflected in the 11 percent sequential growth from
the strong fourth quarter results in 2014.
The overall strong performance of Ayala’s business units in the first
three months of the year contributed a total of P6.4 billion in equity
earnings, 27 percent higher year on year. Compared to net income
inclusive of the net divestment gain in the same period last year,
equity earnings declined 7 percent in the first quarter of the year.
In April, AC Energy Holdings Inc. secured the Feed-in-Tariff for the 81 MW
windfarm of the North Luzon Renewable Energy Corporation and the
19 MW expansion of Northwind Power Development Corporation. SLTEC
also commenced commercial operations for its first 135 MW unit (See
front page story).
Balance sheet
Ayala’s balance sheet remains healthy. As of March 31, parent company
cash reached nearly P43 billion, putting its net debt-to-equity ratio at
0.23 to 1 at the parent level and 0.76 to 1 at the consolidated level.
Read the full disclosure at www.ayala.com.ph
Lower water rates effective
July 1 due to FCDA
Fitch affirms BPI’s
investment grade
Manila Water’s rates were adjusted starting July 1, as the Metropolitan
Waterworks and Sewerage System approved a Foreign Currency Differential
Adjustment of 0.08% of the basic charge equivalent to P0.02 per cubic
meter. This is -0.10% or P0.03 less than the Q2 2015 FCDA of 0.18% or P0.05.
The Q3 2015 FCDA is based on the exchange rate of $1:P44.41, ¥1:P0.37
and €1:P47.94.
BPI announced on May 4 that it received affirmation of its investment
grade rating from Fitch Ratings. Fitch affirmed a Long-Term Issuer
Default Rating (IDR) of BBB-, a Viability Rating (VR) of bbb-, a ShortTerm Foreign-Currency IDR of F3, and Stable outlook.
With the new FCDA, billings of residential customers consuming 10 to 30 cu.m
per month will decrease by P0.14, P0.30, or P0.60, depending on consumption.
Low-income residential customers using 10 cu.m or less per month are
exempt from the adjustment and will continue to pay the monthly lifeline
rate of P81.18.
2
Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc.’s earnings increased 27 percent
to P288 million vis-à-vis its first quarter last year despite foreign
exchange challenges, on the back of better margins on realized cost
savings and productivity. Manila Water Company reported flat net
income at P1.4 billion, with stronger billed volume levels offsetting
higher operating expenses.
Fitch stated that BPI’s “ratings are supported by [the bank’s] greater
appetite for growth, prudent management, solid credit profile, stable
funding base, sound capitalization, and steady and high profitability.” The
stable outlook on BPI reflects Fitch’s expectation that the risk profiles
will be maintained over the near to medium term amid robust economic
growth in the Philippines.
The FCDA is a tariff mechanism reviewed quarterly to account for foreign
exchange losses or gains. It is, however, only a pass-through device and
has no impact on projected net income.
“We take pride in the affirmation of our investment-grade rating. The
rating reflects the prudent way by which the bank is managed and its
ability to strike the right balance between stability and growth,” said
BPI President and CEO Cezar P. Consing.
In June, Manila Water also implemented a -2.42% adjustment on the rebased
2014 Basic Charge.
BPI was the first Philippine bank to receive investment-grade rating
from Fitch in April 2013. This rating was also affirmed in April 2014.
Vol 19 • No 2 • 2015
National urban agenda key for
infra planning–JAZA
Starting this issue, Ayala Now will run
a series of news on the APEC forum
to be hosted by the Philippines this year
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
forum is an annual summit founded in
1989 that brings together senior
government officials and heads of
government to push trade liberalization
within and among countries that
share maritime links through the
Pacific Ocean.
Representatives from the private sector, including JAZA, share their views on sustainable urban development
At the closing forum of the 40th anniversary
of the Ateneo Professional Schools held May 27
at its Rockwell campus, JAZA highlighted the
compelling need for better governance and
management of the country’s urban centers.
the importance of increasing the role that the
private sector plays in urban development.
“Population density in itself is not the problem,”
said JAZA. “Enabling cities with the right level of
infrastructure is key.”
Speaking on “The Quest for Quality Cities
and Quality of Life: Sustainable Urban
Development and Redevelopment,” JAZA
proposed the creation of a central institution
for planning metropolitan zones like the Greater
Manila Area to “spearhead a cohesive and
strategic planning and execution of a national
urban agenda.”
Other panelists were Quezon City Mayor
Herbert Bautista, National Economic
Development Authority Deputy Director
General Rolando Tungpalan, Asian Development
Bank’s Dr. Tatiana Gallego-Lizon, Ateneo
Institute of Sustainability’s Dr. Ma. Assunta
Cuyegkeng, the Ateneo School of Government’s
Dr. Segundo Joaquin E. Romero, Jr., and
urban designer Karima Palafox. Former Justice
Secretary and now Ateneo Law Professor
Alberto Agra moderated the forum.
He also lauded the government’s public-private
partnership initiatives, while underscoring
The Philippines, one of the original
members, hosted the forum in
1996 under the administration of
President Fidel V. Ramos. This year,
the country once again plays host
to the prestigious summit with the
theme “Building Inclusive Economies,
Building A Better World.”
At the kickoff ceremonies held in
December 2014, President Benigno S.
Aquino III said, “When we last hosted
APEC, the Philippines was considered
one of the world’s most promising
economies… We have won back the
recognition, the respect and the
confidence of the global community.”
JAZA is among a handful of business
leaders appointed to lead the APEC
Business Advisory Council for the
Philippines.
Globe and Disney seal
multi-year collaboration
A new collaboration between Globe and
The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia
gives Filipinos access to Disney’s video-ondemand, interactive content, promotions,
and other related services.
Through this partnership, Globe’s mobile
and broadband customers will enjoy movies,
TV shows, games, merchandising, theatrical
releases, and interactive videos across
multiple digital lifestyle devices. Disney brands
include Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and Maker
Studios, the global leader in short-form video.
Says Dan Horan, Globe senior advisor for
Consumer Business: “Everyone loves Disney.
That’s why we are excited to bring the brand
closer to Filipinos and give the best content
experience on their devices anytime, anywhere.”
Disney brands on display during the launch of the partnership
with Globe held at Green Sun in Makati
“We are thrilled to bring the Disney brand of
storytelling closer to more Filipinos through
this collaboration with Globe,” says Rob
Gilby, managing director of The Walt Disney
Company Southeast Asia. “With this unique
collaboration, Disney fans in the Philippines
will now be able to take their favorite stories
and beloved characters everywhere they go
across their choice of devices.”
This is the latest among Globe’s tie-ups with
innovative global brands including Facebook,
Google, Viber, Spotify, NBA, Hooq, and
WhatsApp. Such partnerships enrich
customer experience with entertainment
and lifestyle content offerings and have helped
cement Globe’s position as the leader in
mobile data business with 64% revenue
market share in 2014.
Vol 19 • No 2 • 2015
3
UPDATES
Globe widens rollout of SingleSON solution
Network now “future ready” with nationwide deployment
Seda Atria to open in 4Q 2015
Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts Corp
will soon open the 150-room Seda
Atria in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, its
first in the Visayas and its fifth in
the country. The hotel is located
in the new Atria Park District
within Ayala Land’s mixed-use
and sustainably developed estate.
“This is an opportune time for
Seda to venture into Iloilo because
of the city’s booming economy,”
explained Seda Group General
Manager Andrea Mastellone. “Seda
will be present as a major partner
in the city’s development.”
Globe Iconic Store to rise in BGC
Globe EVP Gil Genio, Taguig Rep.
Lino Cayetano, Globe Head of
Stores and Retail Transformation
Management Joe Caliro, Fort
Bonifacio Development Corporation
Head of Commercial Operations
Manny Blas, and Globe CFO Albert
de Larrazabal broke ground for
Globe’s third-generation store at
Bonifacio High Street Central.
The Globe Iconic Store will provide
customers with a dynamic and
interactive retail experience in
BGC by the end of 2015.
BanKO partners with ECPay
BPI Globe BanKO has made it even
more convenient for its depositors to
save by partnering with ECPay, the
leading electronic payment systems
provider in the country.
Starting June 5, all 4,500 outlets
of ECPay merchant partners
have begun accepting cash-in
transactions to BanKO accounts.
BanKO President and CEO John
M. Rubio says, “Our goal is to bring
banking closer to those who have
limited access to financial services,
in the easiest and most reliable
ways possible. BanKO’s partnership
with ECPay helps us expand our
customer touchpoints, allowing us
to serve more customers and giving
Filipinos more opportunity to save.”
4
Vol 19 • No 2 • 2015
2G, 3G, LTE, and next-generation wireless
communications technologies. As wireless networks
become increasingly complex and demand for mobile
data services continues to grow, Globe has adopted
a solution that will make its network perform
more efficiently and intelligently.
The SingleSON—the last part is short for “selforganizing network”—is an innovation of Huawei
Technologies that improves the operation and
maintenance efficiency and performance of
modern mobile broadband infrastructures.
Globe announced in March that it is first in the
world to deploy the SingleSON. It was tested live
on Globe’s 20,000 cells, the largest commercial
deployment for the solution.
Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu and Huawei Wireless
Product Line President David Wang formalize the
cooperation in Spain
Globe noted immediate improvement in both drop
call rates and users’ throughput. It also showed
better mobile broadband traffic management
sharing of radio resources between layers and
technologies.
Technical Group Emmanuel Estrada. “With it,
network key performance indicators will see
significant improvement.”
“The adoption of the SingleSON in the entire
Globe network nationwide will empower us to
effectively manage a more complex network
and deliver on our promise of superior customer
experience,” explains Globe SVP for the Network
Globe is progressively rolling out its adoption of
the SingleSON solution in the entire country, to be
completed this year. At the same time, new features are
being developed to further benefit Globe’s 46 million
mobile customers.
LINC@Arellano Junior College Program takes off
Ayala Education and Arellano University,
partners in the preparatory college initiative called
LINC@Arellano Junior College Program, officially
began the school year with a ribbon-cutting
ceremony and stakeholder tour on June 15 at the
latter’s Pasig campus.
LINC stands for Learning with Industry Collaboration.
The Junior College Program is a two-year course
open to all Grade 10 graduates, and is an early
implementation of the Department of Education’s
K to 12 initiative.
In attendance were Ayala Education Chairman
and CEO Fred Ayala, Arellano Chairman and CEO
Francisco Paulino V. Cayco, and representatives
from the DepEd, employer and technology partners,
and Arellano administrators. The stakeholders
were given a tour of the facilities and a demonstration
of LINC’s Learning Management System.
LINC Academy is Ayala’s second venture into
education. In 2014, the group teamed up with
UK-based Pearson in rolling out APEC Schools,
a chain of affordable private high schools in
Metro Manila.
Top: Fred Ayala (leftmost) and Francisco Cayco (rightmost)
lead the program launch; Above: The Junior College Program is
open to Grade 10 graduates
UP Town Center welcomes
Wellworth and Qualimed
Wellworth Department Store opened its doors
with fun and festivity on May 29 at UP Town
Center, the newest lifestyle hub in Quezon City.
From a fun fashion activity dubbed “Wear it
Well(worth)” to an exciting dance-off among
university students and a concert of Filipino
bands, the grand launch introduced Wellworth
as the next exciting retail destination.
This is the second mid-market department
store opened by SIAL Specialty Retailers,
Inc., a joint venture between Ayala Land’s
Varejo Corporation and Stores Specialists Inc.
Wellworth was launched in Fairview Terraces in
2014. The store is distinguished by a modern and
warm aesthetic conducive to family shopping.
Joining Wellworth as the latest addition to UP
Town Center is the QualiMed Clinic, the newest
medical facility of Ayala Land and partners
Mercado General Hospital Inc., AlphaHealth
Professionals, Asian Eye Institute, and MetroDental.
The third mall-based, multi-specialty clinic
offers “appropriate, affordable, and accessible”
medical care to the residential and academic
communities in the area, explained ALI SVP and
Head of ALI Capital Junie Jalandoni.
Wellworth and Qualimed Clinic are now open to cater to the
academic and residential communities around UP Town Center
State-of-the-art equipment for laboratory
and diagnostic procedures, consultations with
competent doctors in specialized fields, and
even youth counselling are among the services
available at QualiMed Clinic UP Town Center.
Honda and VW expand dealership network
UPDATES
FBDC and PSE sign contract
for new headquarters in BGC
FBDC CFO Lourdes Reyes and
Director Edgardo Cruz, Ayala
Land President and CEO Bernard
Vincent O. Dy, Philippine Stock
Exchange Chairman Jose Pardo,
President and CEO Hans Sicat,
and Director Vivian Yuchengco
signed on June 5, a Contract to
Sell to formalize PSE’s acquisition
of office space for its new
headquarters and unified trading
floor in BGC.
The PSE headquarters will be housed
in a 22-storey premium office tower
at One Bonifacio High Street slated
for completion in 2016.
IMI showcases automotive,
medical device capabilities
IMI’s automotive camera—which
features excellent thermal
management properties and optical
performance despite its small
size—was the highlight of its exhibit
at the Philippine Semiconductor
and Electronics Convention and
Exhibition 2015 held June 3 to 5 at
the World Trade Center.
Then on June 18 and 19, IMI
showcased its medical device
capabilities during a workshop
held by the Philippine Association
of Medical Devices Regulatory
Affairs Professionals Inc. in
cooperation with USAID, the
ASEAN, and Philippine FDA.
Ayala Auto CEO John Philip Orbeta, Deputy CEO Emmanuel Aligada,
and HCPI President Toshio Kuwahara lead the groundbreaking
with Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez (2nd from right)
On May 18, Honda Cars Makati, Inc. broke ground
for its newest car dealership, Honda Cars Manila
Bay in Aseana Business Park, a rising business
district in Parañaque City.
With a land area of 3,000 sqm, Honda Cars Manila
Bay will also be the first Philippine dealership to
house the Honda Museum that will showcase
Honda’s brand history and development.
Honda Cars Manila Bay is the sixth Honda Cars
Makati dealership after Makati, Pasig, Alabang,
Shaw, and Global City.
Volkswagen’s fifth showroom in Quezon Avenue displays
up to 14 vehicles and features the innovative interactive
showroom application
Meanwhile, Volkswagen continues to expand
its reach and market coverage with the opening
of a fifth showroom along Quezon Avenue.
Volkswagen QA, is strategically situated near the
corner of West and Timog Avenues on a lot area
upwards of 1,500 sqm. The showroom features a
14-car display, a delivery handover lounge, parts
and accessories shop, and customers’ lounge.
Volkswagen QA is also equipped with the
Volkswagen Interactive Showroom application.
The Philippines is only the second country in
the world to offer this technology.
Globe enables SMEs to
offer wifi to their customers
Globe myBusiness, the telco’s
small-and-medium-business arm,
has introduced myBusiness WiFi
Hub, a new package that gives
SMEs the opportunity to attract
more customers and increase their
income with WiFi connection.
The service may be availed as a
new fixed internet plan or as an
add-on to an existing plan. For
more information, visit http://
mybusiness.globe.com.ph/wifihub.
Vol 19 • No 2 • 2015
5
GLOBAL ROUNDUP
One Ayala reaches out to Filipinos in Dubai
Globe and du to benefit 1 million
OFWs in the Middle East
services at a special event dubbed “Fiesta
Dubai” held on May 8 and 9 at Al Ghurair Mall.
Expanding its reach to overseas
Filipinos, Globe launched a
co-branded service with du, the
Middle East’s fastest growing
telco based in the United Arab
Emirates. With the Kabayan offer,
du’s prepaid mobile subscribers
may call Globe and TM subscribers
for 36 fils or P4.35 per minute,
or 20% less the cost of calls to
other networks in the Philippines.
A setup fee of AED1 or P12.00
applies to each call.
This is Globe’s sixth co-branded
service after the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia, Canada,
Singapore, Hong Kong, and
Japan, and complements its robust
retail presence in the US, UK,
Italy, and Spain.
IMI is Bosch preferred
supplier for sixth year
IMI has again been awarded by
Robert Bosch GmbH the status of
preferred supplier in the EMS
category. For six consecutive
years, IMI has been recognized
for its superior competence and
performance by Bosch, the world’s
largest supplier of automotive
components. IMI manufactures for
Bosch automotive, industrial and
consumer electronic products.
Says IMI President and CEO
Arthur R. Tan: “For more than
a decade now, our partnership
with Bosch has been a growing
collaborative relationship. We
shall continue to partner with them,
offering solutions that leverage
our global footprint and diverse
technical and management
resources.”
Ayala companies celebrate
Independence Day with OFs
With ALI and BPI at “Barrio Fiesta”
in Norway and England, and ALI,
BPI, and Globe at “Pista sa Nayon”
in California and Maryland, the
Ayala group was well represented
in The Filipino Channel’s special
Independence Day events on June
6 and 7. Then on June 13, Avida
presented its latest property
developments in New York with
ALI Board Director and former
President and CEO Tony Aquino as
special guest speaker.
6
Vol 19 • No 2 • 2015
Said BPI SVP for Remittance Business Roy Emil
Yu, “With One Ayala, we hope to offer a wider
array to match their needs as well as the needs
of their families through a central point of
communication and access for customers in this
part of the world.”
ALI, BPI, and Globe bring the
Pinoy fiesta spirit to Dubai
Ayala Land, BPI, and Globe came together as one in
Dubai to better understand and serve the needs of
overseas Filipinos in the Middle East.
Under One Ayala, the international marketing synergy
program relaunched by Ayala in 2011, the three
companies introduced Filipino migrant workers to the
group’s quality and affordable telecommunications,
housing, remittance, and investment products and
BPI and ALI established representative offices
in Dubai in 2011 and 2013, respectively, and
Globe announced a new partnership with
leading UAE telco, du (See related story on this
page). By coming together as One Ayala, the
companies hope to build on synergy to better
serve Filipinos based in the UAE, Saudi Arabia,
and the rest of the Gulf area.
Ayala Land International Sales Inc. President
Thomas Mirasol noted that One Ayala is the
conglomerate’s way of recognizing the role
of overseas Filipinos in the growth of the
Philippine economy: “They have worked so hard
and make us proud. The income they generate
contributes directly to the country’s GDP and
foreign exchange reserves. This has enabled
our country to move forward and allowed
millions of people to lead better lives.”
IMI strengthens partnership with global suppliers
Art Tan with IMI top officials and partner suppliers at the awards ceremony held in China
Ranked 18th largest EMS provider in the world, IMI
acknowledged the contribution of supplier partners to
its success by holding its first-ever Suppliers’ Day on
May 18 in Shenzhen, China.
IMI’s top officials gave plaques of appreciation to a
select group of 24 suppliers from all over the world.
With focus on “Winning Together”, IMI also used
the event to foster mutual trust and strengthen its
relationship with its global suppliers.
“IMI has proven itself; it has good track record,” said
Art Tan. “This would not have come to fruition without
everybody doing his part. We would not have been
successful as we now are if there was no collaborative
relationship between us.”
Tan also underscored the need to align the
quality standards for both IMI and its partner
suppliers to maintain the trust of its customers.
Chief Procurement Officer Linardo Lopez said
that stronger collaboration can only lead
to positive results: “A better and stronger IMI
means more business for you, our valued
partners. If we win, you also win.”
The company remains poised for revenue growth
faster than competition, according to COO
Gilles Bernard. More manufacturing facilities
are expected in Bulgaria, Mexico, and China.
IMI will continue to shift to higher concentration
in the automotive and industrial segments.
REGIONS
ALI pushes further into VisMin market
Clark Water inks
P1.15B loan from RCBC
(Clockwise from
right) Jun Bisnar
remains optimistic
on growth in
VisMin; ALI
projects include
Centrio, Avida
Atria, and Amara
Beginning with its base in Cebu in the 1990s, Ayala Land
has since expanded its footprint in the rest of the
Visayas and Mindanao by introducing its signature
developments in key cities throughout central
and southern Philippines. Over the years, ALI’s
investments in these areas have generated thousands
of jobs and nurtured businesses nationwide, providing
a better quality of life for more Filipinos and
contributing to economic progress in the regions.
On top of the P73 billion that ALI has already poured into
VisMin estate developments, an additional P55 billion
has been earmarked for the completion of ongoing
projects and new launches. Among ALI’s major projects
in the region are the Cebu Park District and other estates
in Mactan and Mandaue, the Atria Park District
in Iloilo City, the NorthPoint and Capitol Central
developments in Negros Occidental, Centrio in
Cagayan de Oro, and Abreeza in Davao City.
Said Jun Bisnar, vice president and COO of
the ALI VisMin Group, “We continue to build
mixed-use estates around the country not only
because of economic growth, but also because
of the continued trust and confidence of Ayala
Land’s customers and clients. Our focus on
sustainability and our genuine partnership with
communities, local governments, and other
stakeholders sets us apart and helps us fulfill
our mission.”
Clark Water Corporation obtained
in April a P1.15-billion term loan
from Rizal Commercial Banking
Corporation to support business
plans that will further improve
services to its customers, as well
as anticipate the requirements of
future locators.
The loan, to be paid in 15 years,
will finance water and used
water projects of the company as
approved by Clark Development
Corporation, the government arm
that manages the Clark Freeport
and Clark Special Economic Zone.
Clark Water CEO Gerardo C.
Ablaza Jr. and RCBC President
Lorenzo Tan led the ceremonial
term loan signing in June,
together with RCBC Executive
VP Michelangelo Aguilar, Manila
Water CFO Luis Juan Oreta, Clark
Water President Virgilio Rivera Jr.,
and RCBC Trust First Senior
VP Lourdes Bernadette Ferrer.
Ayala Malls opens doors for Comelec registrants
Bobby Dy and Chairman Bautista sign the partnership for voters’ registration with COMELEC and ALI-CBG officers
Highlighting the role of its malls in the public’s
social and civic life, Ayala Land has partnered
with the Commission on Elections to set up
interim voters’ registration centers in 11 Ayala
Malls nationwide.
Bobby Dy and COMELEC Chairman Juan Andres
Bautista signed the contract to formalize the
partnership on June 24 at Tower One. They were
joined by ALI-Commercial Business Group Head
Rowena Tomeldan and Senior Division Managers
Mark Sablan, AC Legarda, and Joseph Reyes,
and COMELEC Commisioner Christian Robert Lim.
“We are pleased to tie up with Ayala Malls
in our collective endeavors to enfranchise
our voters and promote responsible citizenship,” said
Chairman Bautista. “This is a good opportunity for us to help the country by
helping the Comelec get as many voters to participate in
the 2016 elections,” said Dy. “This is one of the ways we
at Ayala Land reaffirm our commitment to help and
take an active part in nation building.”
Registration of voters’ biometric information began
on July 4 and 5 at Glorietta (Makati Districts 1
& 2), Market! Market! (Taguig City), U.P. Town
Center (Quezon City District 3), and Fairview Terraces
(Quezon City District 5). This will be followed on July 18
and 19, at TriNoma (Quezon City Districts 1, 2, 4, and 6)
and Alabang Town Center (Alabang and Muntinlupa).
Globe Charge boosts
businesses in Boracay
G-Xchange Inc. has given a
boost to over 200 businesses in
one of the country’s top tourist
destinations by allowing them to
accept MasterCard and Visa card
payments through Globe Charge,
the leading mobile point-of-sale
service.
With Globe Charge, establishments
in Boracay Island can now provide
visitors and tourists an alternative
payment option that is convenient,
secure, and hassle-free. The service
can help SMEs grow their customer
base and revenues.
Vol 19 • No 2 • 2015
7
BENCHMARK
Tomeldan given ICSC Trustees
Distinguished Service Award
On May 17, Ayala Land’s CBG Head
of Operations and Support Services
Rowena Tomeldan was presented
with the Trustees Distinguished
Service Award by the International
Council of Shopping Centers in
Las Vegas, Nevada.
Tomeldan was among the
distinguished leaders in the
association recognized for their
special contribution as committee
members, faculty, or in other
voluntary capacities.
BPI is among best banks in the region
BPI once again proved it is at par with the world’s
leading transaction banking institutions with its win
as Best Trade Finance Bank and Leading Counterparty
Bank in the Philippines for 2014 at the Asian Banker
Summit held April 14 to 16 in Hong Kong. The summit
is the region’s largest annual meeting of global
thought leaders and banking practitioners.
Bong Consing said that this latest accolade shows
the level of confidence and trust clients have placed
on the bank. “BPI’s customers are loyal because they
consistently benefit from the bank’s innovative efforts.
We bear their financial goals in mind when we design
our solutions,” he said.
The Transaction Banking Awards, which
recognizes achievements made in the
areas of cash management, payments, and
trade finance, underscores BPI’s constant
innovation over the years. Consing pointed
out, “the bank’s ability to match technology at
a global level and its commitment to regularly
launch new products and enhancements
allow BPI to keep pace with changing business
needs.”
Earlier this year, BPI was also named Best
Retail Bank in the Philippines, the 11th such
award given by Singapore-based publication
The Asian Banker since its inception in 2002.
In January, BPI was also named Best Trade
Finance Bank in the Philippines by New Yorkbased Global Finance Magazine, citing the bank’s
strong international network, investment in
technology, and specialized talent.
BPI Asset Management is
Fund Management COY
Ayala companies, executives receive
awards from FinanceAsia
For the fifth consecutive year, BPI
Asset Management was awarded as
the Philippines’ Fund Management
Company of the Year by The Asset
Triple A Asset Servicing, Investor
and Fund Management Awards
2015. BPI SVP Mario Miranda
received the award on June 23 at the
Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong.
Ayala executives were feted for company and
individual achievements at the FinanceAsia
Awards held June 4 at Fairmont Makati. The
Ayala group topped nearly all categories in
the FinanceAsia poll published in March, with
Ayala being named Best Managed Company in
the Philippines for the second consecutive year.
Laguna Water case study wins
World Bank-PPIAF PPP prize
Laguna Water was hailed as the
Case Study Category Winner of the
Public-Private Partnerships Short
Stories Competition organized
by the World Bank Group and
the Public-Private Infrastructure
Advisory Facility.
The competition recognizes
innovative ideas for increasing
private sector participation in
infrastructure in developing
countries.
The Manila Water subsidiary’s
case study, “Alternative PPP
Model: The Laguna Water Story,”
examines how Manila Water took
over the operations of Laguna
Water in supplying piped water
in the Province of Laguna and
transformed the company into one
of the best water service operators
in the province.
8
Vol 19 • No 2 • 2015
Globe is Best Emerging Market Operator
Continuing its long streak of recognitions from international
industry stalwarts, Globe was adjudged Best Emerging
Market Operator at the 18th Annual Telecom Asia
Awards held May 20 at the Ritz-Carlton in Indonesia.
The Telecom Asia Awards is the most prestigious and
longest-running telecom awards in the region.
Globe has maintained its dominance in mobile
data business in the first quarter of the year
after posting mobile data revenues of P 4.4
billion, double the combined revenues of its
competitors at P 2.2 billion.
Globe bested other nominated operators in Asian
emerging markets, including India’s Bharti Airtel,
Indonesia’s Telkomsel and XL Axiata, as well as its
Philippine competitor.
Ernest Cu said, “We are very pleased and grateful to
the Annual Telecom Asia Awards for this accolade.
Globe has emerged as the Philippines’ No. 1 mobile
brand through its innovative spirit and consistent
business performance. We will continue to provide
Filipino consumers with game-changing products and
services to enliven their Globe-powered digital lifestyle.”
Globe VP for IT-Enabled Services Group Reynaldo
Lugtu receives the company’s award
BENCHMARK
Cu advocates Globe’s
cloud-first strategy
Ernest Cu spoke about the “cloud-first” strategy
adopted by Globe which has reaped for it “countless
benefits” at the Amazon Web Services Summit held
May 19 in Singapore.
“In Globe, we have adopted a ‘cloud-first’ strategy,
with the intention of driving down our costs and
generating savings from optimization opportunities.
That is paramount for us as we spend around
US$650 million in capital expenditures annually.
To become a more sustainable company, any
effort where we can channel our spending from IT
resources to bolstering our modernized 3G and 4G
network will be important,” said Cu.
He also pointed out that the company’s customerfacing channels are all being powered by the cloud.
“We’ve moved our public portals such as www.
globe.com.ph to the cloud. Here we perform online
selling and self-service facility for our customers.”
Moreover, he emphasized that one of the constant
challenges the company faces today is disruption.
Ernest Cu speaks to participants at the Amazon Web
Services Summit in Singapore
“We have taken on an approach of ‘innovate
or perish’ in our company. If not, we will be
driven to extinction by over-the-top players
and other emerging technology entities.
Through the cloud and by collaborating with
leading providers such as Amazon, Globe has
been able to introduce game-changing offers
for the local telco industry at large.”
Celebrating 17 years of retail excellence
Secretary Montejo, Gerry Ablaza, and
Ferdz dela Cruz mark the beginning of
the partnership on April 21
Search for outstanding
engineers launched
Manila Water Foundation,
in partnership with the
Department of Science and
Technology, has launched the
first nationwide search for
exemplary Filipino engineers
who have developed and
implemented projects that
champion water, sanitation,
environment, and sustainability
for marginalized communities.
Ayala Malls celebrated its 17th annual Merchant
Rewards program with an informative forum,
featuring some of the country’s top marketing
gurus, held on April 14 at Fairmont Makati. Ayala
Malls also recognized the achievements of its
merchant partners in the areas of store operations,
marketing, and visual merchandising during the
Awards Night.
The premier Manila Water
Foundation Prize for Engineering
Excellence seeks to inspire and
empower Filipino engineers to
serve the country better through
engineering solutions with positive
social impacts. Five winners will
each receive P500,000 in cash
along with a trophy and medal.
This year’s forum speakers included Lou Ann
Navalta, executive director of Integration and
Business Development of Nielsen Philippines;
Glenn Estrella, vice president of Digital Media of
Globe and one of the Board of Directors of Yondu;
and Chiqui Escareal-Go, president and CEO of
Mansmith and Fielders Inc.
MWF President Ferdinand dela
Cruz said that the competition
addresses the lack of recognition
programs for ingenious engineering
solutions. The prize is in line with
the foundation’s commitment to
become an enabler of change for
“base of the pyramid” communities
through access to sustainable and
water and used water services.
With trophies designed by Ayala Chairman
Emeritus Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Malls
bestowed special distinctions to merchants
who best exemplified the rewarding and
revolutionizing experience in their stores. Also
acknowledged were top retailers in Ayala Malls and
a special award for promoting Philippine arts and
culture given to apparel brand Freeway.
Starbucks took home the Grand Store of the Year
award, for consistently being a cut above the
rest, and for showing commitment to product
innovation.
Added DOST Secretary Mario
Montejo: “This is where science,
technology, and innovation can
come in. Hopefully, this prize can
encourage solutions to optimize
and enhance the use
of water.”
Vol 19 • No 2 • 2015
9
Combined, Northwind and NLREC put AC Energy’s total wind power capacity at 133 MW
Ayala’s energy investments
gain momentum from page 1
At the launch ceremony were JAZA, SLTEC
President Dr. Francisco Viray, Calaca Mayor
Sofronio Manuel Ona, and executives of
both Ayala and Phinma groups and project
partners.
“The inauguration of the plant today is a
realization of the shared vision of government
and the private sector to provide the necessary
support our country needs to progressively
move forward,” said JAZA.
AC Energy and Trans-Asia officers with local government
representatives at the launch of the SLTEC’s first unit
10
Vol 19 • No 2 • 2015
SLTEC reached commercial operations in
April 24 this year. Its second unit is under
construction and will be completed this year.
Trans-Asia will purchase its generated output
over the next 15 years. Total project cost for
both units is estimated at P23 billion.
This significant investment in Calaca,
a municipality along the coastline of
Balayan Bay, is accompanied by corporate
social responsibility projects. Undertaken
with regular consultations with community
stakeholders, SLTEC also conducted coastal
clean-up drives and an adopt-a-river
project in the town, and helped build the
local Ospital ng Calaca.
A critical pillar
Four years since entering the Philippine
energy sector through investments in
conventional and renewable power-generation
assets, Ayala has committed over $700
million in equity and is close to achieving its
goal of assembling 1,000 MW of attributable
capacity from power plants that are both
operational and under construction by 2016.
Eric Francia, JAZA, and Dr. Francisco Viray visit the
control room of SLTEC
Boosted by rising power consumption and high
demand, the energy sector, according to JAZA is
“a critical pillar needed to support and sustain
the country’s growth well into the future.”
AC Energy’s President and CEO Eric T. Francia
said the conglomerate’s entry into the energy
sector was a long time coming given the
tightening power supply of the country due
to the lack of investments in power plants in
the early 2000s.
Francia said that Ayala’s investments in
infrastructure are, therefore, “closely aligned
to the country’s development priorities.”
AC Energy’s portfolio of conventional power generation assets include SLTEC, GN Power Mariveles and GN Power Kauswagan
The energy sector, according to JAZA, is “a critical
pillar needed to support and sustain the country’s
growth well into the future.”
“It has been an extraordinarily busy four years planning,
partnering, negotiating, and arranging financing. Now our
emphasis is on execution,” he continued.
Powering Progress
AC Energy, the development arm of the Ayala group in the energy sector, is
committed to building a portfolio of power generation assets using renewable and
conventional technologies. It now has four operational power plants, with
AC Energy equity indicated:
RATED Capacity
“We believe in the right energy mix because the current resource
base is not enough,” said Francia. “Ayala is determined to
anticipate changes in the market landscape and move decisively
with major initiatives that redefine the space. We prefer initiatives
that are scalable and move the needle.”
AC Energy is expected to start contributing to Ayala’s equity
earnings by 2015.
Status
SLTEC
135 MW
Calaca,
Batangas
Commercial operations
since April 2015
Northwind
52 MW
Bangui,
Ilocos Norte
FIT COC for the 19 MW
expansion until 2034,
received April 2015
NLREC
81 MW
Pagudpud,
Ilocos Norte
FIT COC until 2034,
received April 2015
GN Power
Mariveles
600 MW
Mariveles,
Bataan
Commercial operations
since February 2014
50%
Right energy mix
At present, AC Energy has over 700 MW in attributable capacity
across different projects, which include wind projects in Ilocos
Norte and thermal projects in Bataan, Batangas, and Lanao
del Norte. It continues to explore opportunities to develop
renewables such as mini hydro plants in Ifugao and Mindanao,
expanding the capacity of its wind farms and venturing into the
liquefied natural gas sector.
Location
50%
62%
20%
In addition to the second 135 MW unit of SLTEC currently under construction,
AC Energy is in the development stages of the second phase of GN Power
Mariveles, which will ramp up its capacity with the addition of a 2 x 600 MW facility.
AC Energy has also secured financing for the phased construction of a 3 x 135 MW
coal-fired power plant in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, the construction pace
of which picked up in the first half of 2015.
Vol 19 • No 2 • 2015
11
Ayala group holds Creativity and Innovation Forum
Close to a hundred employees, managers, and officers from
the Ayala group attended the Creativity and Innovation Forum
on April 27 at the cinema of Bonifacio High Street Central.
The forum featured two globally respected authorities in the
field, namely, neuroscientist and psychiatrist Dr. Nancy Andreasen
and Walt Disney Imagineering Executive Designer Joseph Rohde.
Ayala Business Development Head
Miko Montelibano moderates the
open forum with Joe Rohde, who
led the team behind Aulani hotel
(below) and Dr. Nancy Andreasen,
author of The Creative Brain (left)
Dr. Andreasen, recipient of the U.S. National Medal of Science
in 2000 and the Vanderbilt Prize for Biological Science and
Mentoring, is a respected author and editor on neuroscience
and creativity. She shared ways on how to develop and
enhance creativity or innovation in organizations by having an
interdisciplinary approach that “breaks down barriers that
exists between disciplines.”
Rohde has years of experience in creativity and innovation at
Disney, particularly in designing and building theme parks and
resort hotels. He described the process behind the creation
of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Aulani hotel in Hawaii that
took into consideration different viewpoints from various
stakeholders.
He spoke of the importance of dissent in the creative
process. Said Rodhe, “If everyone agrees, it is unlikely
creativity will arise.”
1st Cyber Security Forum is held
Security breaches are inevitable; every individual and organization
is vulnerable; and the impact to business is real.
This reality check set the stage for the 1st Ayala Group Cyber
Security Forum on June 2 at InterContinental Manila. Seventy-five
officers in Enterprise Risk Management, Internal Audit, Human
Resources, and Information and Communications Technology
listened to local and global experts discuss the ins and outs
of cyber security and what enterprises can do to protect their
information assets.
TG Limcaoco
opens the group’s
first cyber security
forum featuring
industry experts
and roundtable
discussions
among four
functional councils
Opening the forum, Ayala CFO and Chief Risk Officer TG Limcaoco
mused that the next challenge to the financial system, in particular,
will not be from mortgage banking securities or derivatives, but
from some form of cyberattack “because that’s the one thing that
we are all vulnerable to, and that a lot of us take for granted.”
Steve Ledzian of FireEye and Mike Walls of EdgeWave underscored
the need to have the right people, perspective, and processes in
place to prepare for and respond to cyberattacks. NBI Cybercrime
Division Chief Ronald Aguto Jr. noted that cooperation among
different jurisdictions is crucial to monitoring and addressing current
and emerging cyber threats.
The forum closed with a talk by Pierre Noel of Microsoft Asia on the
strengths and pitfalls of cyber security programs and which areas to
prioritize. The functional councils then discussed and presented their
respective action points.
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Vol 19 • No 2 • 2015
BPI Sinag lights the way for young social entrepreneurs
and alleviating poverty and hunger are
not to be relegated to our charitable and
philanthropic work. These are how we create
shared value, make ourselves relevant to the
Filipino public, and create more wealth for
others, every single day.”
Bong Consing underscores
the need for business
to have a positive social
impact; Open forum with
BPI Foundation Executive
Director, Seed Core’s Rob
Crisostomo, and Ateneo’s
Rudy Ang and Danilo
Ocampo
BPI Foundation has launched a nationwide
competition that challenges young entrepreneurs
to begin or grow businesses with a social mission.
Together with the Ateneo Center for Social
Entrepreneurship and BPI Family Ka-Negosyo,
BPI Foundation aims to discover, recognize,
and support social entrepreneurs who have
innovative business ideas or have started
ventures with the potential to solve pressing
social issues.
IMI enables Laguna
communities
Beyond the cash prizes in the final rounds of
the competition, shortlisted participants will
benefit from a six-day business boot camp.
Winners will also be mentored over a period
of six months and given office space at the
Ateneo Impact Hub and access to capital.
“We at the Ayala group have always believed
in the symbiotic relationship between
business and society, which is why we have
always sought to extend the impact of what
we do beyond the confines of profit making,”
said BPI Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de
Ayala at the program launch on May 21 at
The Mind Museum.
“Sinag” means light, and so BPI sees the
program as a means to bring light to
communities or marginalized sectors that will
benefit from sustainable and viable
social enterprises.
Bong Consing reiterated the importance of
social enterprise to how financial institutions
are run today, and how it will impact the future.
He continued: “To us, solving problems,
addressing social gaps, empowering people,
For more information on BPI Sinag, visit
http://sinag.bpifoundation.org/
Giving back through
BanKO’s Project GIVES
Basilan young leaders
engaged for change
Drawing on its experience in empowering
the unbanked, BPI Globe BanKO now enables
corporations and their employees to take part in
social development through financial inclusion.
On May 25, IMI’s Sustainability Team visited a
group of parent associations in San Pablo and
Bae, Laguna, and was met with a display of
colorful bags proudly made by mothers from
these communities.
The communities are helped by ChildFund and
YKB Foundation and were recipients of sewing
machines and other tools and equipment
donated by IMI. Income from products such
as eco-bags, dresses, and household linen
help the women support their families.
In support of the goal to “build economically
resilient households,” IMI facilitated a meeting
with retail manufacturers on June 5. The
Laguna-based company continues to help the
communities with skills training on useful
topics such as 5S of good housekeeping, financial
literacy, entrepreneurship, and workspace layout.
Companies looking to support a unique
CSR initiative that is easy to implement and
have potential for high impact can participate
in Project GIVES (Greater Inclusion through
Volunteer Efforts). BanKO will train their
employee-volunteers and equip them
with materials to conduct financial literacy
sessions in their community of choice.
BanKO will then send quarterly reports
on the members’ progress to the partner
companies for a period of one year.
Twenty-eight youth leaders from Basilan are
poised to help make positive change in their
communities with the help of Ayala Foundation’s
Leadership Communities program.
During these volunteer-led sessions,
community members will be able to open a
BanKO PondoKO Plus Savings account with
free personal accident insurance for one year.
Launched on June 17, LeadCom in Basilan
trains and empowers youth organizations
by helping them design and implement
projects that address their communities’ most
pressing needs. Student leaders will participate
in an ideation and project management
workshop on July 28 to 30.
BanKO President John Rubio believes there
is greater value in sustainable CSR such
as this: “With the help of companies who
will participate in Project GIVES, we can
make an immediate social impact in more
communities.”
LeadCom, which runs until March 2016, is
part of the Basilan Young Leaders Program, a
project of the Office of the Regional Governor
of the Autonomous Region of Muslim
Mindanao, the Eisenhower Fellows Association
of the Philippines, and Ayala Foundation.
Vol 19 • No 2 • 2015
13
Globe and Manila Water beef up disaster
preparedness, emergency protocols
Left: Manila Water’s
Geodino V. Carpio shows the
company’s mobile office to
NDRRMC Director Alexander
Pama and PDRF Adviser
Guillermo Luz; Right: Globe’s
Engr. Emmanuel Estrada
(rightmost) reassures
the public of the telco’s
readiness
In cooperation with government agencies, Globe
and Manila Water are taking measures to
mitigate and respond to the effects of a major
earthquake striking the Greater Manila Area.
As a proactive measure, both companies have
outlined strategies and contingencies that
will be executed in the event of a calamity.
These preparations are being made in light
of warnings from the Philippine Institute of
Volcanology and Seismology on the possible
movement of the West Valley Fault, which runs
across Manila Water’s concession area and vast
swaths of Metro Manila. Access to information,
water, food, and shelter are considered to
be among the four most important needs of
communities in crisis.
Manila Water has been implementing a Business
Continuity and Disaster Response Program
For its part, Globe has set up reinforced “lastto-go-down, first-to-go-up” sites intended to
provide basic wide area network coverage.
The telco is also exploring “network-in-a-box”
technology, which is an integrated, transportable,
and quickly setup network solution to provide
on-ground communications for first responders.
Pamana’s flight to freedom on
Independence Day
Manila Water partners with government
to save water resources
A critically endangered Philippine Eagle rescued three years ago was set
free in the forest of Mt. Hamiguitan, Davao Oriental, on Independence
Day this year.
Manila Water has taken its Mobile Lakbayan and Toka Toka programs to
more areas, engaging more public and community stakeholders in the process.
Named “Pamana,” which means “legacy” in the Filipino language, the bird
was found wounded and later treated and rehabilitated by the Philippine
Eagle Foundation with the support of Globe Business.
In the three-year partnership, total funding by Globe Business to PEF has
reached P 1.2 million and has helped conservation efforts for the species
endemic to the Philippine Islands, particularly Mindanao where only a few
hundred Philippine eagles are estimated to inhabit some upland forests.
To support this advocacy, donations may be made using Globe Rewards
points by texting DONATE<space>PAMANA<amount> and sending to 4438.
14
which is aimed at restoring service and operations
at the soonest possible time after a calamity.
Vol 19 • No 2 • 2015
The Mobile Lakbayan aims to raise awareness of the public on the need
to protect water resources, as well as promote the value of used water
management. The partnership between Manila Water and DPWH was
highlighted through a septage management roadshow of DPWH in which
more than 100 district engineers of DPWH and local officials of the province
of Cebu took part.
Meanwhile, the first-ever council on used water advocacy, called the
Toka Toka Environment Council, has brought together Manila Water with
DPWH, MMDA, DENR, DILG, and LGUs within the East Zone concession.
As its maiden project, the council launched Lingap Sapa, focusing initially
on cleaning up the Maytunas creek between Mandaluyong and San Juan.
Ayala Museum updates iconic diorama exhibition
for digital generation
Dioramas come to life through visual and audio accompaniment using a smartphone
Ayala Museum, in partnership with The
Harish and Johnsen Group, launched on
Independence Day a dynamic 3D Augmented
Reality (AR) feature to supplement its popular
Diorama Experience of Philippine History
exhibition.
It is the first 3D-on-3D augmented reality
feature offered by a museum in the
Philippines and Asia.
The dioramas, depicting iconic scenes in
Philippine history from the pre-colonial
period to self-determination, were part of
the inaugural exhibition of Ayala Museum
when it opened in 1974. They were designed
to be a comprehensive visual narrative of the
story of the Philippine people in a way that
compresses extensive research on the events,
architecture, costumes, technologies, and
topographies of the times they represent.
BPI Foundation and FHL push for
inclusive art education
The new AR feature was conceptualized,
designed, and developed by Harish & Johnsen,
and further supported by Globe, Avida Land,
and Power Mac Center. Museum visitors can
now rent special AR units in Ayala Museum
to use within the diorama exhibition. When the
device is placed in front of one of 18 AR-ready
dioramas, these historic scenes are brought
to life by exciting animations, realistic sound
effects, and voice narrations.
AFI leads
rebuilding of
historic Bohol
watchtower
Herencia lectures were complemented by art workshop for teachers
BPI Foundation and the Filipinas Heritage Library held the eighth edition of
the Herencia Lecture Series from May 4 to 6 to train public school teachers on
art appreciation and critiquing.
Held at the Museo Iloilo, the workshop was facilitated by three experts—
Malou Roque, Dr. Reuben Cañete, and Cid Reyes—and covered both
foundational and advanced courses in the understanding of art. Since
its establishment, the program has trained over 300 teachers across the
country to appreciate and teach art with new tools and perspectives.
The Herencia Lecture Series is part of BPI Foundation’s initiatives towards
making art more accessible to a larger audience. In 2008, it published
Herencia: A Legacy of Art and Progress, a coffee table book on Philippine
art history. Accompanying the volume was a guidebook Appreciating Art
through the BPI Art Collection: A Teacher’s Guide, copies of which were donated
to partner universities and schools to promote art history to Filipino students.
In collaboration with Escuela Taller de Filipinas Foundation, and other local
stakeholders, AFI championed a skills program in heritage reconstruction
for 29 Boholanos. The trainees underwent an intensive 12-month course in
traditional masonry skills with actual on-the-job training in the restoration
of the Dauis Church Watchtower, a declared National Historical Landmark
that was destroyed by an earthquake in 2013.
On April 20, the restored watchtower was turned over during the
trainees’ graduation ceremony. Guests included Spanish Ambassador to
the Philippines His Excellency Luis Calvo; Senator Loren Legarda and heads
of government cultural agencies; Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Y. Medroso; Ayala
Foundation President Ruel T. Maranan; and Dr Jaime C. Laya of Escuela Taller.
Vol 19 • No 2 • 2015
15
Postscript from FHL’s “Manila, My City at War!”
A legacy born of a “deep love of country, history, and culture”
Owners of The Aristocrat, the popular
restaurant well loved by generations
of Filipinos, had separate entrances for
American and Japanese soldiers who
insisted on enjoying Pinoy cuisine even at
the height of World War II.
Priscilla Pacheco-Reyes, third generation
owner and president of the Aristocrat
Restaurant Group, recalled her elders talking
of a time when the Japanese soldiers would
“go out one door” of the restaurant while
their American counterparts would come in
through a separate entrance “so as not to see
each other. Kasi giyera, di ba?”
Baby’s hand
Pacheco and several other resource persons
were invited to narrate “daily life” at the time
Manila was declared an open city during
World War II at the lecture series titled
“Manila, My City at War!” hosted by FHL at
Ayala Museum earlier this year.
Pacheco said that The Aristocrat survived
the Japanese Occupation by behaving “like a
baby’s hand” during the war.
“It was close-open, close-open,” Pacheco
said, clasping and unclasping her hand to
demonstrate the trick parents teach their
infants to stimulate their motor skills. Funny
that applying the same principle to a familyowned restaurant would help it endure the
bloody Battle of Manila that raged 70 years ago.
Legacy
Pacheco said the restaurant “got back on
its feet right away” after the war because
“uncles acted as waiters and busboys while
aunts were cashiers. Everybody helped and
shared in jobs.”
As the couple’s brood grew to 12, Aling
Asiang put her culinary skills to good use by
setting up a rolling store at Luneta Park in the
1930’s. Eventually, the couple saved enough
to open a small canteen and then the
Pacheco told the audience it was hard to
end her narrative because the family’s
saga continues to this day. “This is a story
with no ending, this is a legacy that is still
happening,” she said.
The country’s first-ever mural-centric arts festival was held in
Bonifacio Global City from May 22 to 30, with internationally
acclaimed artists painting murals across the township’s cityscape.
Called Art BGC NextACT ONE Festival, the weeklong event was
a collaboration between Globe and Bonifacio Arts Foundation
to create a unique sense of place and build an experiential
atmosphere for both residents and visitors of BGC. It
showcased the inclusive nature of art by creating murals that
can be enjoyed by the public.
The murals were painted on One Global Place, Bonifacio
Technology Center, Icon Plaza, C1 Building Bonifacio High
Street Central, The Palace Pool Club, and Bonifacio High Street.
16
Vol 19 • No 2 • 2015
First, they named it after Admiral Dewey
but American military officers balked. The
Reyeses then thought of naming the place
after their child Andy but their son opposed
the idea. “Bakit?” Aling Asiang asked.
“Nahihiya ka ba sa mga aristocrata mong
kaklase?” And so, an institution was born.
Behind the name
Pacheco’s mother Teresita Reyes-Reyes
was the third child and eldest daughter of
Supreme Court Justice Alex “Andoy” Reyes and
wife Engracia or “Asiang.”
Murals add color
to BGC’s cityscape
The festival also featured pop-up restaurants and art
activities, including freedom wall painting, photography
contests, tours, and a public film fest.
landmark restaurant that still stands along
Roxas Boulevard today.
Murals include Pangako by Anjo Bolarda©
anjohaseyo©; Artwork by FAILE© nmepilapil©;
Artwork by Nate Frizzelle© mikeybau24©
BULLETINS
BUSINESS • CSR • EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES
Photo from abf-online.org
A Page from History:
The many forms
of Ayala Triangle
With its greenery, open
spaces, and restaurants,
Ayala Triangle Gardens
today offers denizens and
visitors of Makati a place
to converge, relax, and
unwind. And yet its story
is even richer—steeped,
in fact, in the social and
economic history of the
country.
1945
1949
In the 1930s, the sevenhectare parcel of land was
the location of the biggest
and most modern airport in
Asia. It was used by both US
and Japanese armed forces
during the Second World War,
after which it briefly returned
to commercial use until the
airport moved to Nichols
Air Field (now Villamor
Airbase) in 1948.
In the ensuing years,
the airport’s passenger
terminal, dubbed Nielson
Tower, housed the Ayala
Police Detachment, then
the Ayala-owned Integrated
Property Management
Corporation, and a
restaurant. As Ayala began
Makati’s urban development
in the 1950s, the runways
became Ayala Avenue and
Paseo de Roxas, and old
Culi-Culi Road became
Makati Avenue, forming a
triangle in the heart of the
central business district.
In 1971, with the completion
of the Makati Stock Exchange
Building, brokers, investment
and securities companies, and Ayala
Corporation made their headquarters in
the triangle.
1980s
The remaining portion of
the land was converted
into the Ugarte Football
Field, in memory of Soriano
& Co. EVP Sebastian
Ugarte. It served as a
venue for national football
tournaments, including
the 1979 football finals
where around 3,000 fans
witnessed the team
from Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo
City outplay the popular
San Miguel team. After the
assassination of Sen. Benigno
Aquino Jr. in 1983, Ugarte
Field also became the rallying
point of demonstrators
against the Marcos
administration.
The Triangle became a
cultural and historical
spot when the Nielson
Tower housed the Filipinas
Heritage Library in 1994
until 2013. Recognized as
the only pre-World War II
structure in the Makati
Central Business District,
Nielson Tower became a
National Heritage Site in
1996. Two years later, Ayala
would move to its presentday headquarters in Tower
One, as did the unified
Philippine Stock Exchange.
1990s
2012
Turn to the
back page
for ATG’s
redevelopment
In November 2009, Ayala Land
opened the Ayala Triangle
Gardens to the public, with
restaurants and special
events like the Christmas
lights and sound show. Its
current redevelopment by
Ayala Land, to be completed in
2020, will once again transform
people’s experience of a city
always in flux.
WON
Two bronze medals in the 28th Southeast
Asian Games by BPI corporate banking
service associate Marie Alexis Sy (rightmost)
in the Women’s Trio and Women’s Team
categories in Bowling
GRANTED
Ayala Coop’s high school scholarships to
five children of Ayala group employees
in APEC Schools beginning school year
2015-2016; the scholarship program
was launched on the occasion of Ayala
Coop’s 20th anniversary
MOBILIZED
180 volunteers from Globe, Ayala Land,
and BellaVita for Brigada Eskwela,
the Department of Education program
to prepare schools for the opening of
classes, in CENTEX Manila and Batangas,
Talipanan Elementary School for Iraya
Mangyan in Mindoro, and Buklod
Bahayan Day Care Centers in Cavite
Manila Water also announced the
completion of 265 Lingap Eskwela
projects, providing drinking fountains,
wash areas, and sanitation services in
schools in its concession area.
APPROVED
The incorporation of Globe Capital
Ventures Holdings, as holding firm for
Globe’s non-core businesses, on June 30 by
the Securities and Exchange Commission
CONCLUDED
The “Battle of the Champions“ of
Volkwagen Philippines’ Fuel Eco Fun
Run Series for motoring media, in
partnership with Shell, with the best fuel
efficiency rating of 28.17 km/l for the Polo
Sedan, 20.12 km/l for the Polo Hatchback,
and 21.04 km/l for the Tiguan
Vol 19 • No 2 • 2015
17
Manila Water honors 28 senior managers
FZA, Gerry Ablaza, and members of Manila Water’s senior leadership team with awardees
of the 2015 Chairman’s Circle
Globe Slipstream 2.0
brings back F1 rush
Celebrating the journey of Marlon
Stockinger as the first and only Filipino
to make his way into the competitive
world of Formula One racing, Globe
presented Slipstream 2.0 on June 27 at
Bonifacio Global City. A “digital lifestyle
experience with wonderful moments to
share” for families and fans, Slipstream 2.0
featured driving exhibitions, motorcycle
stunts, and a car parade and exhibit.
18
Twenty-eight members of Manila Water’s senior management team were recognized in the
awarding ceremony of the 11th Chairman’s Circle held May 15 at Shangri-La Makati.
FZA and Gerry Ablaza, with members of Manila Water’s senior leadership and management
committee, honored the awardees.
“The Manila Water story is one of continuing transformation,” said FZA. “It is an enduring story of
change for growth. It is imperative, therefore, that we continue to develop and improve all facets
of the business in order to continue to be sustainable over the long term.”
FZA commended Manila Water for further improving operational efficiencies; adhering to
the highest standards of operations, governance, and customer service; developing new
products and services outside the regulated business; and aggressively pursuing new business
opportunities beyond the East Zone.
Ayala Land Offices portfolio
continues to expand
World-class unibankers
given BPI honors
MWO Leaders Summit
fosters collaboration
Developing offices that foster productivity
and work-life balance by integrating
it with mixed-use communities is the
hallmark of Ayala Land Offices. With the
growth of the BPO industry, ALO expands
to provide more office spaces and cater
to its unique requirements. Latest
developments include CityGate, corporate
centers in Circuit Makati, BGC, Vertis North,
SouthPark, Alabang Town Center, and
Pasig, and Cebu’s e-Bloc 4.
On May 20, BPI’s Retail Client Segments
honored top individuals, teams, branches,
and areas in its annual BPI Escudo Awards.
The program recognizes excellence in Private
Banking, Net Customer Acquisition, Asset
Management, Deposits, Personal Loans,
Credit Cards, Life and Non-life Insurance,
and Consumer Loans. El Gamma Penumbra
interpreted BPI’s journey towards becoming
the Philippine Banking Champion with an
inspiring shadow performance.
Manila Water’s Operations Group held
on May 21 its first-ever MWO Leaders
Summit. The gathering of senior leaders
and department heads—with its own
theme “#MW4O,” or “Make Way for
Opportunities”—focused on enabling
cross-functional collaboration and
alignment with corporate thrusts,
namely, employee engagement,
enabling growth, rate rebasing, and
total expenditures.
CorpComm Council
goes on Lakbayan
Fore! JZA Cup 2015
goes to the links
Corporate Communications officers
in the Ayala group held their monthly
meeting with a Lakbayan “water trail”
tour and a roundtable with Radio GMA
Network President Mike Enriquez
on June 19 at Manila Water. The
CorpComm Council is one of the oldest
functional networks in the group,
creating and harnessing synergy in
communications, public relations, and
institutional branding.
With a score of 670, Ayala Land won
the first leg of the JZA Cup golf tourney
held July 2 at the Southlinks Golf Club.
Globe and AC placed second and third
with 697 and 733, respectively. The
bowling tourney, which began on May
15, will have six corporate teams strike
for the win on July 10 at Superbowl
in Makati Square. Volleyball and
Streetdance competitions are also
slated in the third quarter.
Vol 19 • No 2 • 2015
Gerry Ablaza, Ferdz dela Cruz, and members of the
CorpComm Council with Mike Enriquez
AFI and RETC make solar power project possible
TG Limcaoco, Ruel Maranan, and PSHS QC Campus Director Virginia Andres lead the signing ceremony with (from
left) Joie Lopez, PSHS Foundation Director Tess Bacungan, and Maria Lourdes Dario from PSHS Batch 1985
Ayala Foundation and California-based Renewable Energy Testing Center have teamed up for
the installation of solar panels at Philippine Science High School. RETC donated the solar panels
to be installed on the rooftop of the school’s Advanced Science and Technology Building in
Quezon City. AFI contributed P1.5 million to cover the cost of transportation and installation.
CENTEX students make
beautiful music with VW
PSHS intends to redirect the monetary savings from the use of this clean energy source to
a fund supporting promising and deserving student research projects. This reinforces both
AFI’s and PSHS’s dedication to enabling gifted students to pursue a future in science and
technology.
Parallel to its Child Safety Initiative,
Volkswagen Philippines supported
another CSR project geared towards
children’s welfare with a donation of 21
violins and two cellos to the pupils of the
Center of Excellence in Public Elementary
Education in Tondo, Manila. Recipients of
the donated instruments impressed guests
with a musical performance at the turnover
ceremony held May 12 at VW BGC.
IMI planning focuses on
innovation, growth strategies
Scholarship portal wins
Cebu idea competition
“I am Young. I am Future.”
scholarship winners announced
“There’s a tipping point and we want to
make sure it takes us to a higher level,”
said Art Tan at IMI’s strategic planning on
June 18 to 19. IMI’s mancom reviewed,
revised, and added to strategies
to strengthen its core business of
electronics manufacturing services.
Charlie Barnhart & Associates Managing
Principal Eric Miscoll joined via phone
call and discussed the diversification
strategies of select EMS providers.
Scholar’s Field, an online portal that will
make information on scholarship grants
more accessible, bested 14 other groups
in Startup Weekend Cebu 5. SpendCheck,
a mobile app for micro-business owners,
and TeeVee, a t-shirt vending machine
business, also emerged as winners.
Globe subsidiary Kickstart Ventures has
been part of SWC5 since 2012 to support
developers, designers, marketers, and
technopreneurs.
Participants of APEC Schools’ scholarship
program spent the summer doing good
deeds for the environment, Filipino culture,
and their own communities—and six
teams from grade schools in Metro Manila
won scholarships to Ayala Education’s
flagship high school. Judges led by APEC
Schools Chairman Fred Ayala selected the
winners based on students’ involvement,
ingenuity, project execution, and impact,
in addition to social media popularity.
The donation was facilitated by Ayala and IMI Board Director Delfin Lazaro, IMI Board Director
Aleli Funcell, the PSHS Foundation, and the school’s alumni batch of 1985. The ceremonial
signing of the agreement was held on June 23 at Tower One led by Ayala CFO TG Limcaoco, AFI
President Ruel Maranan and Senior Director Joie Lopez.
ABC-Central Luzon brings
smiles to Aeta children
Employee volunteerism projects
hailed at BPI BAYAN Awards
Forty-five volunteers from Globe,
BellaVita, Harbor Point Mall, Marquee
Mall, and Alveo Land went to Barangay
Sapang Uwak, near Alviera in Porac,
Pampanga, to hold an educational drive
for about 130 children of the indigenous
Aeta community. Aside from donating
classroom furniture, books, clothes,
and school supplies, members of Ayala
Business Club—Central Luzon led games,
arts and crafts activities, and storytelling.
BPI BAYAN, the bank’s nationwide employee
volunteerism program, continues to give
life to its commitment to nation building.
The best of BPI’s employee volunteerism
projects—from the bank’s clusters in
Dumaguete and Negros Occidental, and the
Batangas Palawan area—were recognized at
the 2015 BPI BAYAN Awards held June 11 at
the Glorietta Activity Center.
Correction: BPI clients of Division 2 branches donated P2.8 million to help rebuild
classrooms in Tacloban City by choosing angel decors crafted by BPI employee-volunteers.
Vol 19 • No 2 • 2015
19
Ayala
Triangle
Gardens
redevelopment
part of Makati’s
transformation
The northern tip of Ayala Triangle
Gardens, at the corner of Makati Avenue
and Paseo de Roxas, is being redeveloped
to make way for a 38-floor office tower,
the 5-star Mandarin Oriental Manila,
a retail podium, six-level basement
parking, and civic spaces that will
expand the Gardens and enhance
public experience.
Vibrant and dynamic urban center
Much of the seven-hectare Gardens,
including the restaurant row, continues
to be open. For the safety of the
public—those who have come to enjoy
the Gardens since it was opened in
2009—Ayala Land boarded up the area
and gave ample space between the
construction and pedestrian pathways.
Details of the masterplan were shared
with Ayala Land employees at a town
hall meeting held by the Strategic
Landbank Management Group on
June 11 at Tower One. The activity
sought to rally the support of ALIzens
for revitalization plans for Makati and
was spearheaded by SLMG Group Head
Anna Ma. Margarita Dy, Innovation and
Design Group Head Joel Luna, and Head
of Operations for Makati and BGC
Manuel Blas II.
With this redevelopment, Ayala Land
promises new gathering places for
office workers, visitors, and families
living in the city, as part of the realization
of its vision to “enhance land and enrich
lives for more people.”
More greenery, 60% open space
This latest development at Ayala
Triangle Gardens will be completed in
2020. By then, the Gardens will have an
additional 2,500 sqm of greenery and
60% of open space for the public to use
and enjoy.
To ensure careful management of
the existing landscape, Ayala Land
is working with a team of foresters
and horticulturists from Joseph Server
and Associates. All 71 affected trees
have been replanted, 60% of which
remain in the Gardens and 40% are
in Circuit Makati.
Explained Luna: “It took us more than
a year to design everything because
we wanted to make sure that both
buildings sit lightly on the land. Apart
from showing visible greenery, our
intent was to make the buildings
seem to rise from out of the ground.”
“The enhanced Ayala Triangle
Gardens will provide better places for
convergence, more civic space, and
distinctive venues for events,” said
Blas. “The improvements are meant
to strengthen Makati’s position as a
vibrant and dynamic urban center.”
PUBLISHER John Philip Orbeta • EDITOR IN CHIEF Emily de Lara • MANAGING EDITOR Janella Cacdac-Siena • RESEARCH Jeanne Martinne Malenab • DESIGN Medium3
We thank the following for their contribution to this issue: Mau Barreiro, Gale Launio, Justin Gatuslao | Cathy Bengzon, Suzette Naval, Kay Rivera, Mitch Suarez, Rina Reganit,
Leo Grape, Crystie Garcia | Tricia Quiambao, Leah del Castillo, Rachelle Dangin | Yoly Crisanto, Steeps Martinez | Rita Castellano-Dueñas, Sacha Camus | Fred Blancas, Nancy Talucod
Jeric Sevilla, Arlene Friginal, Jef f Pundanera, Carla Kim | Kriselle Sebastian | Irene Maranan | Timmy de Leon, Mar y Marasigan | Paul de Guzman | Carmela Fatima Cinco
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EDITORIAL OFFICE: Ayala Corporation–Corporate Communications, 32F Tower One, Ayala Triangle, Ayala Avenue, Makati City 1226 Philippines | Email: AyalaNow@ayala.com.ph