Ayala Now November-December 2010 Issue
Transcription
Ayala Now November-December 2010 Issue
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 14, Number 6, November-December 2010 inside 5 Experience a whole new Makati Central Business District Happy New Year! BPI acquires trust and investment management business of ING Manila 7 Celebrating Christmas in the gardens 10 GILAS reaches another milestone 14 Know the story behind the Ayala and Mitsubishi partnership Ayala Malls group sweeps 2010 ICSC Awards Ayala Malls group was the sole recipient of the prestigious ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) Foundation Community Support Award while also garnering a Gold for Marketing Excellence and five Silver awards in the recently concluded ICSC Asia Shopping Centre Awards Competition in Beijing, China. Executives from the Bank of the Philippine Islands led by chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, and BPI president Aurelio Montinola III sign an agreement with ING Manila The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has signed an agreement with ING Bank, N.V. Manila Branch to acquire its trust and investment management business and other related assets in the Philippines. BPI Asset Management is the second largest wealth manager in the country with total assets under management (AUM) of P458 billion as of September 30, 2010. ING’s trust and investment management business in the Philippines ranks seventh with P78 billion in AUM as of the same date. As a result of the said acquisition, BPI Asset Management will be one of the largest asset management franchises in the Philippines with an estimated P536 billion in AUM. Under the terms of the agreement, BPI will acquire 100 percent of ING Bank Manila’s trust assets. The acquisition is subject to certain conditions which includes obtaining of regulatory approvals. The final price will be determined on the closing date which is expected in the next few months. BPI is the Philippines’ largest bank both in terms of market capitalization and branch network. With a history of more than 159 years, BPI holds significant market shares Ayala president and COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala with Ayala Malls group head Ma. Victoria Añonuevo receive the ICSC Foundation Community Support Award for Greenbelt’s “Ondoy” campaign continued on p. 3 continued on p. 4 JAZA wins CNBC’s Asia Talent Management Award A new honor befell Ayala Corporation as its chairman and CEO, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, received the Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC) Asia Talent Management Award on November 25 at Capella Hotel in Sentosa, Singapore. The award is particularly significant in that it recognizes Ayala’s uncommon ability to attract, develop, nurture, grow, and retain professional talent. The Asia Talent Management Award is given to the business leader who values his company’s workforce and is committed to supporting, developing, and retaining talent, as well as nurturing its next generation of leaders. Track record of professional excellence It is well known that in the Ayala group, individual professional excellence has always been a priority, partly the result of a nearly two-century track record of consistently upholding the values of talent, ethics, and reputation. The Asia Talent Management Award—one of the Asia Business Leader Awards (ABLA) given by CNBC to “Asian leaders who have contributed and shaped the Asian economy”— was received by Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala at a ceremony attended by some of Asia’s top business executives. But aside from honored tradition, there are management’s deliberate undertakings. “One of the things that really sets Ayala apart is the way we manage people,” says Zobel. “The ABLA is our way of celebrating and recognizing business leaders who have shaped the Asian economy, and who will continue to lead corporate Asia forward,” said Satpal Brainch, president and managing director of CNBC in Asia Pacific. “When I look across the group and at the people we have, there’s a tremendous diversity of talent,” he says. “A large part of the job is to create the right environment so they can all do what they’re good at, and come together to create something better. We strongly believe that the whole is bigger than the sum of its parts.” CNBC’s Asia Business Leaders Awards acknowledge exceptional CEOs in the region. Recipients of the awards are considered visionaries behind today’s outstanding businesses and are recognized for their strength, innovation, ingenuity, knowledge, and foresight—values that the award-giving body believes are imperative to creating successful businesses in the global economy. From 53 finalists, the six honorees were chosen for innovation, talent management, lifetime achievement, corporate social responsibility, viewers’ choice, and the CNBC ABLA. Over and above the company’s tradition and management’s efforts is the direct role played by Ayala’s leader. The CNBC award-giving body calls it Zobel’s “personal involvement in supporting and nurturing leadership within the company.” continued on p. 2 The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 14, Number 6, November-December 2010 JAZA wins CNBC’s Asia Talent Management Award continued from p.1 “Mr. Zobel identifies and mentors key leadership talent within Ayala,” the citation says. The citation also points to a group-wide talent review process that Ayala has instituted over the past two years, and a leadership acceleration program with Harvard University. These are top-level, methodical processes led by JAZA and his brother Fernando, the company president and chief operating officer. “You nurture people, see what’s the best place for them, make them have a sense of belonging, listen to them, get ideas from them; a team-based approach is actually a lot more fun than doing things alone.” The program with the Harvard Business School, called Ayala Leadership Excellence Acceleration Program, or AYALALEAP, has developed and adopted a curriculum that allows the group’s executives to learn from and interact with some of Harvard’s leading professors and thought leaders on various topics. Around 200 of the group’s top people go through this program every year. Group-wide talent review The other process cited in the award, the group-wide talent review, focuses on the top management positions at each business unit. It includes the CEOs, the management committee, and the emerging leaders below them. This talent pool is comprised of about 500 of the Ayala group’s most senior business executives. At the business unit level, the process calls for a thorough review by the CEO and his management team, with the information captured in a common framework that is used throughout the group. This includes individual talent profiles such as employment, assignments, performance and promotions history, competency assessments, career aspiration and performance feedback; performance-potential summaries, including the identification of high potentials even below senior management; and career and succession plans including possible stretch assignments and developmental assignments. relevant in changing times, and making them progressive forces that contribute to the nation’s welfare.” The CNBC Award is the latest for JAZA, who in 2007 became the first Filipino and the youngest Harvard Business School alumnus to be given the Achievement Award for exemplary leadership in business by Harvard Business School. It is the highest honor Harvard Business School can bestow on a graduate. JAZA received his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1987 and a bachelor’s degree in economics, cum laude, from Harvard College in 1981. In 2006, JAZA was honored by the Management Association of the Philippines as the Management Man of the Year. He has also been recognized as one of the country’s Ten Outstanding Young Men. JAZA has been at the helm of Ayala Corporation since 1995 when, after holding several line positions in the Ayala group, he became president at the age of 37. That year, he received from the World Economic Forum an award as one of the “Global Leaders of Tomorrow.” Other recipients of the 2010 CNBC Asia Business Leader Awards are A.M. Naik, chairman and managing director of Larsen and Toubro Ltd. (India), who took the Asia Business Leader Award; Sir Gordon Wu, chairman of Hopewell Holdings (Hong Kong), for lifetime achievement; Yancey Hai, CEO of Delta Electronics (Taiwan) for innovation; Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr.) Francis Yeoh, managing director of YTL Corporation BHD (Malaysia) for corporate social responsibility; and Ajai Chowdry, chairman and CEO of HCL infosystems (India), who received the most votes from CNBC viewers of Asia Pacific. Why we work in Ayala “In any position within the organization, we look for certain attributes that are beyond technical knowledge,” JAZA says. “A strong ethical behavior is important to us.” He says that when Ayala leaders interview executives and ask them what attracts them to the group, three attributes stand out. Values. “We have never compromised our values, and we have a reputation of doing what is right,” JAZA says. “Our commitment to excellence and integrity in all our dealings is something that has remained constant throughout our 176 years of existence. Our people know that they will always be encouraged to do and supported for doing what is right.” “We convene a very senior talent review group to go over these in much detail,” says JAZA. “Fernando and I are very much involved in the process.” Ongoing dialogue. “We always try to listen and take the pulse on what our employees are thinking and what are of concern to them. We try to have open and honest dialogue with various levels of staff. Before we make major changes in any of our HR systems, we make sure that we have the chance to talk to representatives from all levels.” “We spend a fair amount of time for each business unit, going over each person by name, in their senior leadership roles,” he adds. “We also include some of our rising stars in the deliberation process, to make sure that we have a purposive career plan for these high-potential individuals.” Long-term careers. “Many people join us just not to have jobs but to build growing careers with the group. We may not be the top companies to go for compensation and benefits, but I think the word has gone out that if they join the group and perform well they will be rewarded and taken care of.” Below the top positions at the business units, the individual companies have their own talent review processes, which in many cases are much more robust and rigorous, explains JAZA. A fourth item that emerges with increasing frequency is the group’s social agenda. Leadership and development philosophy CNBC cites these talent management programs as concrete manifestations of JAZA’s leadership development philosophy. CNBC noted that he has “a direct responsibility as a leader to see others after us succeed in developing our institutions, keeping them JAZA with the other winners of CNBC Asia Business Leaders Awards “Over the last few years, people who wish to join us place much importance on our social and sustainability initiatives,” JAZA observes. “We get a lot of questions regarding our stand on the environment, on what we’re doing to help improve education and generate employment. All these are becoming more important factors in making decisions to join or stay with the group.” JAZA with wife Lizzie Zobel Feature Mitsubishi, SingTel meet with President Aquino Ayala group partners Mitsubishi Corporation and Singapore Telecommunications make separate courtesy calls to President Benigno Aquino III at Malacañang President Benigno Aquino III welcomed Ayala corporation chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, and senior advisor and former chairman of Mitsubishi Corporation Minoru Makihara in a courtesy call on November 22, 2010 at the Yellow Room, Premier Guest House, Malacañang. Makihara—who was accompanied by Mitsubishi Corporation Manila general manager and president of Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, Inc., Nobuya Ichiki—paid a visit to the President to renew the company’s commitment to continue working and investing in the country. Ayala and Mitsubishi have been long-term partners in building new business ventures, and working together on CSR initiatives. Both companies also continue to collaborate on current joint initiatives in regional water projects, energy savings in the Philippines, and renewable energy. Mitsubishi Corporation is Japan’s largest general trading company with over 200 bases of operations in approximately 80 countries worldwide. With its over 500 group companies, Mitsubishi employs a multinational workforce of approximately 60,000 people. Mitsubishi has long been engaged in business with customers around the world in virtually every industry, including energy, metals, machinery, chemicals, food, and general merchandise. Mitsubishi seeks to contribute to the enrichment of society through business firmly rooted in the principles of fairness and integrity. During the meeting, Chua reiterated SingTel’s commitment to its investments in the Philippines, primarily through Globe. The SingTel Group is also committed to driving product and service innovation to deliver greater value to its customers. Together with Globe, and other SingTel subsidiaries and associates, the SingTel Group has collaborated on a number of strategic initiatives, including marketing projects and technical trials. Later that week, JAZA made another courtesy call on the President, this time with key executives of Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel), led by its Group CEO Chua Sock Koong, who visited Manila on November 26. The SingTel Group’s footprint covers more than the two billion population across Asia and Africa, serving 368 million mobile customers in 25 countries. Aside from Globe, SingTel affiliates and subsidiaries include Australia’s Optus, Advanced Info Service (AIS) of Thailand, India’s Bharti Airtel, and PT Telekomunikasi Selular (Telkomsel) of Indonesia. The Globe-SingTel delegation also included Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu, Optus chief executive Paul O’Sullivan, SingTel CEO International Hui Weng Cheong, SingTel Group CFO Jeann Low, and SingTel Group treasurer Koh Kah Sek. PhilDev-USA recognized as best diaspora philanthropic organization in the world The Philippine Development Foundation–USA (PhilDev-USA) and the American India Foundation (AIF) have been selected by the Charles & Agnes Kazarian Foundation as the best diaspora philanthropic organizations worldwide. Both organizations were selected as the global standard for high value-added best practices, especially for emerging economies. Ayala Malls group sweeps 2010 ICSC Awards continued from p.1 The highly coveted award was given to the “Ondoy” campaign of Greenbelt, carried out in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, Children’s Hour, and World Wide Fund for Nature, which raised funds to build homes and assist families displaced by two devastating typhoons. The ICSC Foundation donated US$5,000 to Habitat for Humanity, Ayala Malls’ partner charity, to build more homes for Bahay ni Juan sa Calauan, a relocation project for the typhoon victims. The Charles & Agnes Kazarian Foundation is a private operating foundation established in 1998. It seeks to empower families through economic development, education, and healthcare. A Gold Award for cause-related marketing was given to Alabang Town Center‘s “A Chance to Share” campaign, a community outreach program for Manila’s street children. To support setting new global benchmarks in philanthropy, The Charles & Agnes Kazarian Foundation will invest US$10 million in knowledge partnerships with worldclass philanthropy organizations that continue to significantly improve their key performance indicators (KPIs). The knowledge partnerships have four components: benchmarking and best practice research; staff, volunteer, and partner training; KPI assessment, comparison, and goal setting; and assessing and ranking prospective new initiatives. Ayala Malls also garnered Silver Awards for the “A- List Wish List Promo” for Sales Promotions and Events, “Greenology” campaign for public relations, Greenbelt’s “Healing the Broken Spirits” campaign for cause-related marketing, and Ayala Center Cebu’s “The Terraces” for design and innovation. PhilDev-USA and AIF were two of the organizations chosen to be part of the program. According to Charles & Agnes Foundation, both stood out for their shared passion in “improving performance at the nexus of the commercial and social sector” and for achieving “ten times more positive social impact from donor contributions from its average peer.” The selections were based on a J-InterSect Project Report by a ten-person team with contributions from over 125 sector professionals within its global network. The team conducted research for six-months to benchmark diaspora philanthropic organizations worldwide. J-InterSect (JIS) is a global performance improvement company at the nexus of the commercial and social sectors. The awards were presented by William Taubman, chairman of ICSC and Michael Kercheval, president and CEO of ICSC to the Ayala Malls group led by Ayala Land chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala; senior vice president and Ayala Malls group head Marivic Añonuevo; vice-president and chief operating officer Rowena Tomeldan; vice-president and head of business development Cora Dizon; together with senior division manager and head of marketing Cathy Bengzon; senior division manager and head of Ayala Malls VisMin Clavel Tongco; department manager Joy Polloso; Ayala Center Cebu general manager Norie Ranie; Marquee deputy general manager Michelle Aliggayu; Ayala Malls department manager Mita Montinola; Ayala Land senior architect and Ayala Center Cebu operations manager, Bong Dy. The ICSC is the premier global trade association of the shopping center industry with more than 55,000 members in over 90 countries. The ICSC Asia Shopping Centers Award recognizes and honors the shopping industry’s most cutting-edge properties, innovative solutions, and creative responses to market trends, as well as outstanding examples of design and development through its Global Awards Program. The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 14, Number 6, November-December 2010 BPI acquires trust and investment management business of ING Manila Ayala income up 17% to P6.8B Profit for the first nine months grew 17 percent for holding firm Ayala Corp., closing at P6.8 billion from P5.78 billion, driven by growth in its property, banking, and water businesses. continued from p.1 in consumer banking, asset management and trust, remittances, electronic banking, corporate banking, and bank assurance. ING is a leading global financial institution of Dutch origin currently offering banking, investments, life insurance, and retirement services to a broad base of customers. BPI president and chief executive officer Aurelio R. Montinola III said, “We find this a rare opportunity to purchase a strong foreign asset management franchise that will combine with our superior local distribution network and investment expertise in this growing Philippine wealth management space. We see this strategic acquisition of ING’s investment management and trust business as a value enhancing step to cement our leadership in the asset management industry.” The current ING Investment Management team will form part of the Asset Management and Trust Group of BPI and will continue to focus on delivering superior investment returns and leverage on their investment competencies to support existing and future customers. Maria Theresa M. Javier, group head and trust officer of BPI Asset Management said, “We are excited about this acquisition and we look forward to welcoming the ING Investment Management team into the BPI organization and harnessing their expertise to continue serving customers. The combined business will benefit from the enhanced scale, cost synergy, and ability to offer the broadest range of investment solutions through our well trained branch network.” The combination of BPI Asset Management and ING Investment Management creates one of the strongest investment teams in the industry. BPI Asset Management was named The Asset’s Best Wealth Management House in the Philippines in 2010, Asian Investor’s Best Onshore Funds House in the Philippines in 2010, and The Asset’s Best Asset Management Company in the Philippines in 2009. ING Investment Management Philippines was awarded The Asset’s Best Asset Management Company in the Philippines in 2010, has a strong equity portfolio management capability and their funds are rated highly according to the Lipper Leader Fund Ratings with several funds ranking in the top 20 percent based on consistent returns and total returns. The growth in the three businesses offset the weakness in its telco unit, the company said. Nearly all businesses posted double-digit growth in earnings, resulting to a 26 percent increase in equity earnings to P8.6 billion, it added. “We are encouraged by the strong growth trajectory of our core businesses. The favorable economic environment, robust domestic consumption, and low interest rate environment set the condition for rapid growth and expansion. The initiatives we have taken the past few years have clearly positioned our businesses to benefit from this renewed growth cycle,” said Ayala president Fernando Zobel de Ayala. Ayala Land’s net income rose 35 percent to a nine-month record high of P3.9 billion. Meanwhile, the Bank of the Philippine Islands reported a profit growth of 24 percent year-on-year at P9.1 billion. Telco business unit Globe telecom saw its consolidated service revenues decline by two percent which was offset by growth in its broadband revenues and mobile postpaid business. Meanwhile, Ayala’s water business saw revenues growing 19 percent to P8.3 billion, driven by a four percent increase in billed volume and a nine percent increase in household connections from its expansion areas within the concession zone. Electronics unit Integrated Microelectronics Inc. (IMI) posted US$293 million in consolidated revenues, four percent higher than last year, as its China and Singapore operations sustained strong performance with US$185 million in revenues, 22 percent higher year-on-year and accounted for 63 percent of IMI’s total revenues. Ayala’s automotive dealerships registered a 10 percent growth in revenues to P9 billion on account of higher unit sales. Profit grew 47 percent to P245 million. The BPO businesses under LiveIt posted a profit of P1.5 billion versus last year’s loss. The positive result was primarily due to the revaluation gain of P2.3 billion recognized in the second quarter as result of a third party investment in Integreon. BPI’s Sustainable Energy Finance triumphs at G-20 Seoul Summit The SEF program, is an ongoing partnership with the International Finance Corporation which began in 2008. It is also a means to help the company grow its loan and lease portfolio while supporting BPI’s and the Ayala group’s initiatives in corporate social responsibility and sustainability reporting. The SEF program of BPI is a first in the country and in Southeast Asia. BPI assistant vice president Nanette Biason with the other winners of G-20 SME Finance Challenge BPI was hailed one of 14 winners in the prestigious Group of 20 (G-20) SME Finance Challenge, a global online competition launched by the G-20 leaders in Toronto, Canada last August 2010. The SME Finance challenge was the first competition ever held by G-20 and Ashoka Changemakers. With support from the Rockefeller Foundation, the two organizations were able to source the best models which provide innovative solutions that catalyze finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). More than 350 entries were submitted from 75 countries. From these entries, 35 finalists were chosen, and only 14 were declared winners. The winning entries came from the USA, Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom, Peru, and Asia. The Philippines, represented by BPI, alongside India were the only two winners coming from Asia. BPI’s entry, Sustainable Energy Finance (SEF), was described in the competition as helping to lead the green revolution by creating a market that provides SMEs with financing for sustainable energy projects in the Philippines. The program helps SMEs by including future savings created by energy efficient technology as a form of cash flow that improves the risk profile of SMEs. The winning solutions were chosen by a panel of eight judges from the US Treasury, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, South Africa’s National Treasury, and Canada’s Department of Finance, among others. The criteria were based on the uniqueness of the solution, leveraging public intervention, social and economic impact, and soundness and sustainability. The solutions chosen also had to come from the six geographic regions targeted by G-20 for development, namely: East Asia & Pacific, Europe & Central Asia, Latin America & the Caribbean, Middle East & North America, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. During the awarding ceremonies at the G-20 Summit, US President Barack Obama, Korean President Lee Myung-bak, and Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper pledged funding of US$528 million to scale up the winning solutions. BPI was represented at the awards held at Seoul, South Korea, on November 11-12, 2010, by assistant vice president Nanette Biason of Specialized Lending Unit and Sustainable Energy Finance. The G-20 countries are comprised of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Republic of Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the European Union. Ashoka Changemakers is a global online community of more than 2,500 leading social entrepreneurs. Feature For years, Ayala Land has been changing the landscape of Philippine real estate and setting the standard for customer service. In 2010, the company pushed the boundaries further by daring to not only sustain the standards set by its former visionaries but surpass them. In his speech during the relaunch of the Makati Central Business District (MCBD) on November 5, Ayala Land chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala highlighted the importance of “carrying the same bold perspective” of the company’s forbears, while at the same time, leading Makati “into a continuous path of evolution.” He added, “While transformation will definitely come in many areas, we shall focus and start with the Ayala Center because it is that one piece, one zone, that we define as our catalyst. It has always been the spark that ignited every phase of the cycles of Makati’s transformation. It never fails to energize the wave of innovation.” He also discussed the different periods of growth in the Ayala Center— from the pioneering spirit of the 60s, to the tremendous growth experienced in the 70s, and the bold modernization of the 90s. His speech dwelt on the various challenges the company had to overcome, and how Makati will remain at the core of their endeavors as an organization. Meanwhile, strategic landbank management group head Anna Ma. Margarita B. Dy talked about ALI’s plans to throw out the old notion of the MCBD as purely a place for work. ALI intends to apply the same changes it has made in the Ayala Gardens. From being “hectares of land that people just used to drive by,” it is now one of the most visited sites in Makati. The company also plans to connect both ends of Ayala avenue with two new activity nodes; the MCBD North and the McKinley Node. The MCBD North which features The Columns, and the soon-to-be finished residential area, The Lerato, will be home to a thriving community, and will be the place for “hip and happening” events in Makati. Meanwhile, a business-process outsourcing company will be built in the McKinley Node. It will have its own transportation system for the “fast paced, technology-driven, strong youth culture.” There are also plans to install new sidewalks and pathways, as well as a Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) similar to the one used in the cities of Curitiba and Bogota. The BRT refers to a variety of public transportation systems using buses to provide faster, more efficient service than an ordinary bus line. Ayala Malls relaunches Ayala Center New logo of Ayala Center New sidewalks for Makati’s over 500,000 pedestrians ALI’s commitment to rebuild Ayala Center will cost P20 billion, an amount the company feels is well worth the value the city will get in return. ALI’s plan involves several redevelopments, including the redesign of Glorietta. Ayala Land sees Glorietta as the next “super hub.” The plan is to build a new and improved lobby, a dynamic activity center, and have more stores for its customers. The company also plans to add 3,000 more rooms to its line of premier hotels. Dy said, “With the redevelopment of Ayala Center, we’re connecting people, making destinations more accessible, making the city available for the most important business of living.” To boost its hotel portfolio, Ayala Center will have 3,000 more rooms added to its line of premier hotels The Ayala Center redevelopment includes the construction of the Residential Towers which will provide homes for 1,000 families The new Ayala Center will have its own Bus Rapid Transit System for safer and more efficient transportation The new Ayala Center will be more pleasing to the eye with its wide open spaces and gardens The city has grown since the 1960s when this photo of Makati was taken Even at night the Ayala Center reveals a vibrant community The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 14, Number 6, November-December 2010 The micro-lending scheme is part of BPI’s strategy to expand its customer base as a micro lender. While the bank remains focused on servicing larger clients, it also has a thrift bank unit, BPI Family, to service small and medium-sized enterprises. BanKO goes a step further as a micro lender. BanKO offers innovative microfinance where no bank dares to tread Many villages in the country’s remote provinces are too small for even rural banks to put up a branch. But at their local sarisari stores, residents have access to two key banking services—credit and savings— through their mobile phones. This pioneering venture—launched by a unit of Bank of the Philippines Islands (BPI)—uses cellular technology to extend financial services to Filipinos who live in areas where there are no banks, and those who would not qualify for conventional loans. Less than a year in operation, the microfinance bank BPI Globe BanKO is set to end 2010 with a loan book of around P1 billion. Its typical clients are farmers, tricycle drivers, and roadside vendors trying to build their enterprises. BanKO President Teresita Tan points out that 80 percent of the country’s population of around 90 million has no access to banking services; and of these, nearly half live on US$2 a day and another 15 percent lives on US$1 a day. Tan said: “The very name BPI Globe BanKO is a play on the words ‘bank ko,’ or in English, ‘my bank.’ This summarizes exactly what we wish to attain: to establish a bank specifically focused on ‘unbanked’ Filipinos.” BanKO is specifically targeted to help the US$2 earner, the guys at the base of the pyramid.” BanKO is a joint venture between BPI and Globe Telecom. Each has a 40 percent stake, and their parent company Ayala Corp. holds the balance. BanKO combines the banking expertise of BPI—the country’s second bigggest in terms of assets—and Globe’s nationwide telecommunication’s reach, as well as its technology to deliver banking services via mobilephone loads. For transactions, the microlender uses Globe’s “GCASH,” a payment service which transforms a mobile phone into a virtual wallet for secure, fast, and convenient money transfer technology. “Clients can carry out transactions, like making loan payments and deposits with just a text message,” said Rizza Maniego-Eala, president of GXI Inc., Globe’s wholly-owned mobile commerce subsidiary that runs the GCASH technology. This may seem a risky endeavor for one of the country’s most prudent lenders. But historically microfinance has a high repayment rate, and BanKO executives say the bank has so far had a zero default rate. “The very name BPI Globe BanKO is a play on the words ‘bank ko’ or in English my bank. This summarizes exactly what we wish to attain: to establish a back specifically focused on the ‘unbanked’ Filipinos” says BanKO president Teresita Tan The platform is capable of handling small-sized transactions in high volumes. Two modes of access are available to depositors—an ATM card with a photo and a GCASH wallet. These can be used to deposit or withdraw cash at ATMS or Globe’s Cash-in and Cashout centers. Anyone can qualify BanKO account holders can qualify for a loan without collateral. The average loan size is between P3,000 and P15,000, although borrowers may get loans for as low as P1,000 and up to P150,000. No minimum amount is required to open or maintain a savings account. BanKO also lends on a wholesale basis to microfinance institutions, which relend the money to small borrowers. The bank charges retail borrowers around three percent interest a month, which is in line with rates on credit card loans. The interest rate for wholesale borrowers is equal to that charged to corporate clients, which is around eight percent to nine percent a year. Earlier this month, BanKO launched a savings mobilization drive to fund the rapid rise in its loan book. Executives say microenterprises typically borrow five to 10 times the amount of their savings. That means that the bank needs to source funds. The savings mobilization program taps retail and institutional savers through an appeal to invest in philanthropy by funding lending to microenterprises. Deposits kept at BanKO for a period of at least six months can earn an interest rate of 4.25 percent a year. That’s higher than the average 2 percent to 3.25 percent interest offered by most commercial banks for regular time deposits. Microcredit schemes are not new in the Philippines and many rural banks engage in this type of lending, motivated both by profit and the desire to help alleviate poverty. What makes BanKO so innovative is the speed at which it can make transactions and the nationwide extent of its reach. Once a loan is approved, it is sent to the account holder’s GCASH wallet and he can withdraw it through any Globe retailer. Once the loan is due, the borrower simply gives the money to the Globe retailer, who in turn credits it to the borrower’s GCASH wallet and deposits the money back to the bank. The release of a loan is free of charge, but the borrower must pay P2.50 as transaction fee when he repays the loan. Non-value transactions such as balance inquiry are charged P1 each. Microentrepreneur empowerment is at the core of the initiative, says Ayala Corp. chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala. The idea is to build an institution that contributes to the broader development needs of the country. Indeed, the time to push for the initiative couldn’t be better than now. Globe has a subscriber base of over 26 million. BPI, which currently has a group customer base of four million, can use BanKO to convert some of Globe’s customers to bank depositors. Consider that against an expanding population in a country dubbed as the texting capital of the world and one gets a picture of tremendous growth. “What I think we’re building here is an engine that can be national in scope,” said JAZA. “Using the flexibility of the GCASH platform, BanKO enables the delivery of financial services through branchless and remote mobile banking services” says Rizza Maniego-Eala, GXI President BPI chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and BanKO president Teresita Tan with BanKO board members Romeo Bernardo, Gerardo Ablaza Jr., and Ernest Cu News Ayala Triangle Gardens shine bright for the holiday season During the recent holiday season, the Ayala Triangle Gardens was transformed into a garden of lights and sounds, as a prism of colors illuminated the night sky and a symphony of Christmas songs played in the background. In Filipino culture, the parol symbolizes faith and hope In 2010, Ayala Land ushered in the holiday season through the much anticipated event: Christmas at the Gardens, with the popular Filipino symbol, parol for its theme. Since time immemorial, the parol has been a traditional Christmas decoration in Filipino homes, often taking the form of a star and symbolizing the country’s shared faith and hope in anticipation of the birth of Christ. The concept of the “Symphony of Parols,” featured a lights and sound show inspired by the Christmas lantern. People flock to the gardens to watch the show Designed by multi-awarded lighting designer Voltaire de Jesus, and complemented by talented sound engineer Jethro Joaquin, the show used the gardens’ canopy of trees as the stage and setting for the one of a kind spectacle. De Jesus said, “In line with city’s constant evolution, this year’s staging was more dynamic” and the musical score had a more “fun and contemporary, distinctive theatrical feel.” A total of 250,000 bulbs were used for the installation, which included 16 automated lights that lit up in cadence with the music, and eight laser lights to make the show visible even from a far. This year, however, the show reduced its energy consumption by 74 percent by using LED lights, made possible through a partnership with lighting company, Philips. To make the experience more memorable, the Ayala Triangle Gardens launched some of its restaurants on the same night as the show’s opening. Visitors enjoyed eating in Golden Spoon, Bon Chon, Wee Nam Kee, Chef Laudico’s Bfast, Banapple, and Omakase. Other restaurants in the garden are Amici, Kanin Club, CBD (Cheeseburgers, Burgers, Drinks), Pho 24, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and Momo! Café. A multitude of lights adorn the garden’s trees The Ayala Triangle Gardens turn into the city’s Christmas center at night The theme for 2010’s holiday is centered on the parol The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 14, Number 6, November-December 2010 Solutions in Surface and Light For the last three decades, Jaime Zobel de Ayala has been giving new light and meaning to seemingly mundane and ordinary objects through his masterful use of the lens. His latest exhibit, Solutions in Surface and Light, is no exception. Each piece is a subtle yet powerful reminder of the inherent beauty and elegance hidden in the every day. Showcasing a plethora of colors and patterns carefully captured in every frame, Zobel elicits a sense of renewed wonder and curiosity for the common and the familiar. Perhaps the most striking aspect of his works is their ability to disarm and draw viewers in effortlessly. By revealing the brighter nature of his subjects and freeing them from their normal ‘guises,’ Zobel pushes the boundaries of his own art, creating new possibilities for his medium. In his exhibit, Zobel succeeds as one of the most honest explorers of the natural world and ‘found objects’ in the Philippines today, transforming and giving new life to even the most mundane of objects. Artist Igan D’Bayan poses beside his wall text JZA with FZA and renowned Filipino designer and painter Royal Pineda One of the night’s most esteemed guests, renowned Filipino artist Juvenal Sanso Lizzie and Iñigo Zobel grace the event as some of JZA’s special guests Pocholo Lozano takes a close look at one of the art works Claudia Tambunting with Miguel Tambunting Feature Print on glass Artwork IV Print on glass Artwork VII Print on glass Artwork V Architect Willie Coscolluela attends the opening Print on paper Artwork XI Print on paper Artwork X Managing director of corporate strategy Eric Francia visits the exhibit Sofia Zobel-Elizalde and husband Patxi Elizalde take a good look at Artwork 2 Fellow artists Juvenal Sanso and JZA 10 The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 14, Number 6, November-December 2010 GILAS connects more than 3,000 public high schools About 200 representatives from the Gearing up Internet Literacy and Access for Students (GILAS) consortium and the Department of Education (DepEd) gathered at the ballroom of Hotel Intercontinental Manila on November 30, to celebrate the connection of more than 3,000 Philippine public high schools to the Internet. Among those who attended the benefit were Ayala chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and DepEd Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro. JAZA and DepEd Sec. Bro. Armin Luistro with representatives of local government units who pledged to support GILAS In his speech during the event, JAZA mentioned how different GILAS was from any organization and described it as “a unifying ground that transcends self-interest for a very special and important cause for education.” Inspired by the new government, JAZA hopes that by “connecting millions of public high school students to the world of information and opportunity, GILAS has become a meaningful contribution to the goal of ensuring that our democracy translates to broader access to basic needs and ultimately into better lives for all.” Among those in the consortium was DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro who showed his support for GILAS by announcing the department’s plans to equip all public high schools with a computer lab, and 10 Internet-connected computers each. Aware of the country’s social and learning gaps, he believes that GILAS “will enhance democracy because it translates into broader access and delivery of information.” He added, “We know the DepEd can’t do it alone, and we are looking for innovative measures such as the public-private sector partnership, to address this problem.” GILAS—a multisectoral initiative that aims to bring Internet connectivity to all of the country’s 6,786 public high schools—brings together the expertise and resources of business organizations and companies, including those in highly competitive industries such as telecommunications and information technology, and involved partners in the public and non government organization sectors, in order to achieve the goal of bringing Internet connectivity to all public high schools and help prepare young Filipinos for the information-driven economy. Before the launch of GILAS in 2005, only six percent of what was then 5,443 public high schools were connected to the Internet. Today, five years after the project was launched, more than 3,000 schools, or roughly 44 percent of all public high schools in the country, are connected to the Internet, with 51 provinces and cities declared as 100 percent connected. What is GILAS? GILAS is an acronym for Gearing up Internet Literacy and Access for Students, a multi-sector initiative that aims to provide Internet access for students and basic Internet literacy programs in all the 6,784 public secondary schools in the Philippines. The mission is led by a consortium of private corporations and civic organizations in coordination with the Department of Education. Why is there a need for this project? Only 60 percent of the country’s public high schools have computer laboratories accessible to students. In an environment of resource scarcity, Internet literacy is arguably the most cost effective investment we can make in our educational system. GILAS also provides training for teachers from Internetconnected schools. The training helps the teachers maximize the use of the Web as a resource for students, and provides them the information needed to properly care for the computers. To date, more than 12,000 teachers have been given training on information and communication technology. Who benefits from this project? Primarily senior high school students in the country’s public schools. Depending on student density and availability of PC workstations, the Internet laboratories may be made available to high school students in lower years as well. Ronilo Aponte, a teacher at Capiz National High School, says, “As a research teacher, I want to be able to share the skills and knowledge of how to conduct a research project. I want my students to be globally competitive.” What does GILAS provide? For schools that already have working computer laboratories, GILAS provides Internet connectivity packages and the basic training necessary for teachers impart Internet literacy skills to their students. For schools that do not have working computer laboratories, GILAS provides both laboratories (at least ten PC units each) and the Internet connectivity packages along with the corresponding basic training. In both cases, GILAS provides unlimited Internet access for the laboratories for one year. The GILAS consortium encourages the Department of Education, school principals, and parent-teacher associations (PTAs) to take the lead in maximizing the use of the school’s computers and Internet connection, as well as in ensuring the sustainability of the project in their respective areas. “Being the head of the division, I will see to it that this project will be used through the years,” said Dr. Ester Lozada, Education Schools Division Superintendent at the Department of Education Division of Laguna Province. “We are already coming up with sustainability plans with our school heads and in partnership with the local community.” How does GILAS prioritize schools all over the country? The following factors are considered: • the existence of elements necessary for connectivity: laboratory infrastructure and security, computer capacity, electricity, phone connection or satellite availability; • the local community’s participation in ownership of the project, including their joint plans for sustainability of the project; • and the participation of the potential donee community’s respective local political chief executives. The event also honored private donors including Goldman Sachs represented by vice president Jovi Zalamea Does GILAS monitor schools once connection is delivered? Yes. Monitoring is an integral part of GILAS’s plans. It also considers the monitoring concerns of the Department of Education. How is the program sustained? GILAS revolves around a “sustainability tripod” which includes developing community ownership with the help and cooperation of LGUs, local DepEd divisions, and parent-teacher associations; establishing the project’s usefulness in teaching and training; and lastly, building financial capability through training. Private sector partners with representatives from the Ayala group work hand in hand to bring GILAS to more schools Special Feature Innovation discussed at Ayala HR Summit Representatives from different Ayala Human Resource teams met for the fourth annual Ayala Group HR conference, held on November 20 at the ballroom of Intercontinental Manila. This year’s theme, “Accelerating growth and innovation through HR,” had speakers talking about current trends in HR development, primarily on the definition of innovation. In his opening remarks, managing director and head of Ayala’s corporate resources group John Philip Orbeta, talked about the various changes the Ayala HR team has done to make life easier and better for its employees. These include the HR Mall, a human capital consulting and business process outsourcing company that caters to the needs of the whole organization, while maximizing transactional and transformational duties of HR. Orbeta defined “transactional” as simple day-to-day administrative work, while “transformational” involves career and growth development for employees. Ayala president and COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala then spoke extensively on the overall business environment of the company, praising the group’s very strong performance for the third quarter, which he attributed to “the very able hands of its management teams.” He said, “Our business environment is attracting interest from the investment community as well as from large global corporations. With still so much uncertainty in many of the other major markets, including Europe and the US, there is genuine interest to increase investments in Asia in general.” However, FZA also cautioned the group about being complacent, pointing out that 176 years of history and experience are not enough for a business to succeed. He also underscored “the need to create a stronger culture of innovation and customer-focus into the company’s DNA as a group,” and that “the role of HR is now more than ever pivotal to future business success and sustainability.” Later that day, top executives from the Ayala group of companies attended a panel discussion and exchanged viewpoints on innovation and talent management. Among them were Ayala chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala; BPI president Aurelio Montinola III; Ayala Land president and CEO Antonino Aquino; IMI president and CEO Arthur Tan; and LiveIt CEO Fred Ayala. The panel discussion was moderated by JP Orbeta. The day ended with the first awarding of the JZA Cup to Manila Water for winning the recentlyconcluded Ayala olympics. FZA talks about the constant need for innovation within the Ayala Group Elmer Velasquez, executive search and leadership consulting associate at Heidrick & Struggles, talks about how various global companies are innovating today Ayala group CEOs JP Orbeta, Aurelio Montinola III, JAZA, Fred Ayala, Antonino Aquino, and Arthur Tan discuss the importance of talent management Heroes in the world of business Twenty-two years ago, 15 businessmen joined then President Corazon C. Aquino and her former chief of staff, General Renato S. de Villa, in a special mission to “help rear and educate orphans.” At the time, hundreds of children and families were left behind by soldiers who were killed in the battle against rebels and insurgents. Jaime Zobel de Ayala led the businessmen who included, among others, Raul Concepcion, chairman of Concepcion Industries; Washington Sycip, chairman of SGV and Associates; Cesar Buenaventura, former president of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.; and Wilfrido Tecson, head of The Consolidated Bank and Trust Company. Together with the former President and the AFP leaders, they made sure that the orphans would get additional financial support to keep them in school. HERO Foundation was then organized to secure an endowment fund for the military orphans. Each year, every qualified orphan receives a stipend that augments the government’s mandated tuition fee support. The amount is used by the families for meals, transportation, and school supplies that enable the children to sustain their schooling. The foundation has helped a total of 2,156 orphans since 1988. More than 700 of these orphans have graduated from college. However, the number of orphans needing support continues to increase. To this day, as people go about their daily grind at home and at work, Filipino soldiers live in very dangerous circumstances. They are away from their families and are always prepared to die in the line of duty. When these brave soldiers die, their families find themselves faced with an uncertain future. FZA and JZA with supporters of the HERO Foundation This year, a new generation of businessmen is making a sincere effort to respond to the persistent challenge that our soldier-heroes and their families face. HERO Foundation recently elected a new board of trustees with Ayala Land chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala and ALI president Antonino T. Aquino at the helm. Pledging support for HERO Foundation are Pinky Aquino Abellada, daughter of former President Aquino; Michael Tan, CEO of Asia Brewery; Ton Concepcion, CEO of Condura; Hans Sy, CEO of SM; Ces Drilon, broadcast journalist; Miguel Belmonte, publisher of The Philippine Star; Carlos Garcia Dominguez, CEO of Philippine Tobacco; Ernest Cu, CEO of GlobeTelecom; and Margie Juico, chairperson of PCSO. During its annual board meeting held at Intercontinental Manila this year, the founding members of the board were also awarded for their years of service and commitment to the foundation. Most of them will remain members of an advisory board that will ensure that the foundation’s principles will serve as the anchor of every program it rolls out in the future. Ayala Land played a big role in making sure the foundation gets the boost it deserves. A HERO task force led by Antonino Aquino; NUVALI general manager Jun Bisnar (who himself is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy); and ALI Human Resource and Public Affairs group head Pinky Ruiz, set the framework for revitalization. The ALI task force designed a three-point strategy that was presented to the new board. These are: Enhance the HERO organization; launch a fund-raising program; and build new partnerships. 12 The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 14, Number 6, November-December 2010 Building Communities: The Catanduanes Story The Ayala group of Company’s flagship program for youth development continues to transform communities and reach out to more student leaders across the country. With the Ayala Young Leaders Congress (AYLC) program at the forefront, the Ayala Foundation Leadership Communities (LeadCom) program is reaching out to other students across the country where opportunities for participation in leadership programs are few. LeadCom aims to develop, inspire, empower, and nurture the leadership skills of young Filipinos and promote servant leadership values among student leaders in various parts of the country. The LeadCom program draws inspiration from the annual AYLC, and was developed to provide an opportunity for a greater number of young leaders to improve their leadership capacities. LeadCom had its first run on October 18 to 20 at the 1st Catanduanes Student Leaders Congress (CSLC). The CSLC gathered 79 student leaders from seven universities and colleges in Catanduanes for a three-day leadership training seminar, which included talks, group discussions, personal re-evaluation exercises, and experiential learning challenges. For three days student leaders shared their life and leadership stories, and gained a new perspectives from their peers. In an unforgettable leadership journey, participants took part in challenges designed to bring about a greater sense of self-awareness and leadership, and established stronger values of trust, teamwork, effective communication, and collaboration. “I have attended several leadership camps before, but this one is different. I really took my realizations to heart. The congress made me realize that there are a lot of things I have to learn about myself, and how to be an effective servant leader,” shared Emlyn Graciela Lanon of Catanduanes State Colleges. The highlight of the congress was the keynote speech delivered by Commission on Elections Commissioner Rene V. Sarmiento. Growing up in Catanduanes where leadership programs are scarce, Sarmiento talked about his experience in servant leadership. He likewise challenged the student leaders to work together and to commit themselves to improving their communities, specifically, their home province of Catanduanes. CSLC participants with facilitators and organizers “Our dream is to help form more servant leaders who will dedicate themselves to leading their local communities and eventually, larger sectors of society,” said Simon C. Mossesgeld, AYLC congress director. “We are seeing this happen among our AYLC alumni, a number of whom already have leadership roles and responsibilities that impact a broad segment of society. Likewise, our wish is for these young leaders from the 1st CSLC and future LeadCom Programs to become more effective servant leaders themselves and help form other leaders who will also use their leadership to improve the lives of others.” Choosing Catanduanes Catanduanes is an island province at the Southern tip of the Bicol region. Because of its location, which makes it prone to typhoons and travel difficult, leadership development programs in the province are rare. Catanduanes caught the attention of Ayala Corporation’s chairman emeritus Jaime Zobel de Ayala, who posed a challenge during the 12th AYLC for Ayala to reach out to a greater number of youth leaders. In response, Ayala Foundation Youth Leadership Development Unit met with Catanduanes’ school and government officials. LeadCom Catanduanes brought together seven partner schools, namely: Catanduanes State Colleges (Main Campus and Panganiban campus); Catanduanes Computer Learning Center Inc.; Hauswirtchaft Training Institute; TESDA-CSHCICabugao, Bato, Catanduanes; Christian Polytechnic Institute of Catanduanes Inc.; Catanduanes School of Advance Technology; and Catanduanes Institute of Technology Foundation Inc. Ayala Foundation’s LeadCom (CSLC) participate in Catanduanes Ayala Foundation in partnership with the seven schools along with the Provincial Government of Catanduanes established a local LeadCom Organizing Committee that oversaw the local mobilization of resources and selection of participants. Gintong Pamana Awards Foundation, Inc. likewise extended its support to the 1st CSLC. Ayala’s Belief in the Youth A Community of Leaders and Believers In the past years, Ayala has been at the forefront in developing the leadership potential of the Filipino youth through its flagship program, the Ayala Young Leaders Congress. It annually brings together 80 of the most outstanding student leaders from across the country for a leadership congress. Leadership is a responsibility that every Filipino carries. Each individual has the potential to be a leader. That capacity is multiplied when leaders work together. “Because of AYLC, we have been able to bring together a community of passionate young leaders who are committed to national development. We hope to have the same community of leaders in Catanduanes and in other areas of our country…we continue to believe in the leadership of the Filipino youth and in their energy and spirit to make change happen in the country,” says John Philip Orbeta, AYLC program director. Ayala Foundation’s senior director for education and development Mario A. Deriquito added that through the LeadCom program, Ayala continues to nurture young leaders. “Ayala hopes to expand its work in the area of youth leadership development and make quality leadership development programs available for more student leaders, especially in areas that have very little access or opportunities for such programs,” Deriquito explained. The 1st CSLC allowed participants to regain and renew their sense of hope and belief in themselves, in their community and in the country. Through the congress, 79 student leaders discovered their own capacities to lead and bring about change. Ultimately they discovered a new group—a community of leaders with the same dreams and passions. For the young leaders of Catanduanes, they have become a stronger community of leaders and believers working towards a better tomorrow. ---For more information about LeadCom or a LeadCom activity in your area, please get in touch with Mildred Ople at (632)752-1065 or ople.mf@ ayalafoundation.org. Ayala Cares Children’s Hour commemorates 10 years of service Partners, supporters, and members of the media recently gathered at the Antel Lifestyle City for Children’s Hour Philippines, Inc.’s (CHPI) Annual Benefit Lunch. The event which carried the theme “APIR: Sampung Taong Pagtulong sa Batang Pilipino,” commemorated the group’s 10th campaign year, an important milestone in CHPI history. Present at the lunch was President Benigno S. Aquino III, who was keynote speaker and guest of honor. President Aquino gives his speech during the Children’s Hour benefit According to Children’s Hour chair Emily Abrera, CHPI ultimately hopes to provide every Filipino child a bright, happy, healthy, safe, and meaningful future. “Each young person deserves to enjoy the essence of their youth and all the possibilities that come with it,” she said. “This is not only so that they can experience the joy of a fulfilling life; but also so that they can, one day, effect positive change for the betterment of the country and the rest of the world. Surely, nothing sparks hope for a better and brighter future than the untapped potential of every child.” Guests enjoyed a sumptuous meal prepared by renowned chef Billy King and were treated to a series of performances by some of the country’s finest entertainers. Proceeds from the hour-long collective contribution will fund CHPI’s projects for disadvantaged children. Established in 1999, CHPI is committed to generating resources for children without access to basic necessities, education, and special protection nationwide by encouraging employees, individuals, and organizations to share one hour’s worth of their earnings once a year. Flagship projects include CommUnity through Literacy, in partnership with Synergeia Foundation, Inc. By actively engaging the community stakeholders CommUnity aims to improve children’s functional literacy so they become independent learners. Meanwhile, Sharing the Light seeks to rehabilitate public high schools by building necessary operational and physical infrastractures. JAZA signs his name on the APIR wall to show his commitment There is also the Children’s Hour Educational Benefit Program, in partnership with the Educational Benefit System Office of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It supports the educational needs of academically outstanding yet poor orphans of soldiers nationwide and active military personnel dependents reside in or have relocated to Metro Manila. Other projects focus on areas of early childhood care and development, health and nutrition, and formal education. Some of these projects include Foundational Learning for the Matigsalug Indigenous Children, BOOKsan ang KinaBOOKasan, and Basic Health Services to Indigenous Children. Through its past nine campaigns, CHPI has been able to raise over P201 million in cash and services, which has allowed it to fuel more than 500 projects all over the Philippines. As of today, with the help and support of friends and donors, the organization has been able to transform the lives of 609,617 children for the better. Pres. Aquino witnesses the awarding of tokens of appreciation to JAZA and CHPI vice chairman Ambassador Bienvenido Tan (3rd from right), given by CHPI Emily Abrera (3rd from left), for their continued support to Children’s Hour. They are joined by Mrs. Emma Tan (left), Lizzie Zobel (2nd from left), and CHPI executive director Gee Mayuga (right) Two international icons receive BPInoy Awards On its fifth year of honoring outstanding overseas Filipinos, the Bank of the Philippine Islands chose international singer Charice Pempengco, and the chairman of the Hydrocephalus Foundation of the Philippines, Dr. Manuel Cacdac as this year’s recipients of BPInoy Awards. The two were chosen for their exceptional achievements and contributions to the global Filipino community and were awarded on November 26 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. The BPInoy Awards, an annual initiative of BPI, aims to encourage nationalism among Filipinos abroad, and to communicate BPI’s commitment to excellence in the service of overseas Filipinos. “Through the BPInoy Awards, we are creating an avenue for Filipinos all over the world to connect, inspire, and celebrate distinct nationalistic pride in everyone. BPI recognizes our deserving countrymen, whose stories attest to the world that we, Filipinos, are globally competitive,” shares BPI Overseas Banking and Channels Services executive vice president and group head Teresita Tan. Pempengco is an 18-year old Filipina international singer who was dubbed by Oprah Winfrey as the “most talented girl in the world.” She is the first Asian artist in history to land in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 album chart in the world. Meanwhile, Cacdac is the founder and chairman of the Board of the Hydrocephalus Foundation of the Philippines. Cacdac held notable ranks in the medical community here and abroad and has been sharing and giving hope for many marginalized Filipino communities for years by initiating and performing hydrocephalus operations for free in poor local communities, including the Philippines. To know more about BPInoy Awards, visit www.bpi.com.ph Dr. Manuel Cacdac has been performing hydrocephalus operations free of charge for poor communities for many years Singer Charice Pempengco is the first Asian artist to land in the Billboard Top 10 14 The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 14, Number 6, November-December 2010 A Page from Ayala History Former Mitsubishi chairman Chujiro Fujino ink one of the first agreements made by the AyalaMitsubishi partnership Enrique Zobel de Ayala sign an agreement with then Mitsubishi president Chujiro Fujino Ayala and Mitsubishi: Thirty-six years of enduring partnership FZA and JAZA show their appreciation by giving a gift to senior advisor of Mitsubishi Corp., Shinroku Morohashi On January 17, 1974 Chujiro Fujino, then president of Mitsubishi Corporation signed an agreement with then Ayala president Enrique Zobel to facilitate future and possible business ventures in the country. Little did they know that in the next 36 years, this relationship would endure, and even become one of the most prolific business partnerships the country has ever seen. For decades, and after surviving multiple leadership transitions, Ayala and Mitsubishi continue to remain partners in helping the country produce more job opportunities through joint collaborations and existing ventures. These partnerships have formed the foundation for future growth and innovation in the realm of real estate, financial services, telecommunications, water distribution, electronics and information technology, automotive assembly, business process outsourcing, and internal investments. The Laguna Technopark Inc., the Honda and Isuzu Automotive dealerships, Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc., and Manila Water Company are only some of the successful endeavors made possible through the Ayala-Mitsubishi partnership. Just recently, Ayala entered into another joint-agreement through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Michigan Power Inc, with Diamond Generating Asia Ltd.—also a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corp—to explore opportunities in the field of solar power in the Philippines. With trust as foundation for these partnerships, Ayala and its partners have been able to leverage their expertise, resources, capabilities, and client bases for their mutual benefit, with results often exceeding the sum of its parts. Speaking on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Ayala-Mitsubishi partnership in 1999, Ayala chairman and CEO Jaime Zobel de Ayala pointed out that their partnership is proof “that persistence and far-reaching vision ultimately yields the best. “Our partnership works for the movers of business ventures and more important, for our clients, for whom it is our duty to provide the best we can offer.” JAZA and FZA with Mitsubishi chairman Minoru Makihara commemorate the decades-long Ayala-Mitsubishi partnership during its 35th anniversary in 2009 Committed to a shared vision, and anchored on the same values of trust and mutual respect, the Ayala and Mitsubishi partnership is sure to endure for many more years to come. Executives of Ayala and Mitsubishi pose for a photo in October 2009 in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Ayala-Mitsubishi partnership Text2Teach reaches Ilocos Norte Teachers observe the Text2Teach demo (From left) Mayor Tom Torralba, Mayor Arlene Torralba, AFI’s Marisse Catangay, PSDS Jessie Apostol, and Councilor Jennice Gorospe, with other LGU officials at the MOA signing For the second half of 2010, the Text2Teach team set its sights on Ilocos Norte, and presented its project to various local goverment units (LGUs) and Department of Education (DepEd) units. After a short period of time—and despite the project being launched at the peak of mayoral and barangay elections—the busy election season did not stop the project from being a success, as several local governments and DepEd units in the region committed to implement Text2Teach in their respective areas. Municipal mayors who signed the Text2Teach memorandum of agreements were: Arlene Torralba of Badoc; Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta of Batac; Aldrin Garvida of Nueva Era, Joy Banagui Fernandez of Carasi; Nicodemes de la Cruz of Bacarra Jr.; and Edito Alberto Balintona of Sarrat. All the MOAs were signed by Ayala Foundation senior director Mario Deriquito on behalf of the Text2Teach alliance. Kolin Philippines International; teachers’ guides; three-day teachers’ training; and technical/help desk support for one year. Before a school can make use of the Text2Teach program it must first go through a validation process conducted by members of the Text2Teach team. The validation process includes interviewing the school principals, and taking pictures of the school grounds as well as the proposed Text2Teach classrooms. Through 3G-enabled devices, like the Nokia N95 and N86, and the application called Nokia Education Delivery or NED, teachers can download, choose, and use educational materials for the specific subjects they teach. Not only does NED provide highly effective visual aids for teachers, it also creates an interactive, student-focused learning environment in the classroom. Once the schools for each area have been selected, each school will be provided with a Nokia N95 8GB mobile phone pre-loaded with almost 400 educational audio and video materials on grade 5 and 6 Math, Science, and English; a Globe pre-paid SIM card with a monthly load of P150 for one year; a 29-inch colored TV set provided by conceptualized by Nokia, the International Youth Foundation, Pearson, and the United Nations Development Program in 2003. Since the program was pilot-tested in the Philippines in 2003, more than a million public elementary school students and more than 1,700 teachers and school officials in the country have been benefiting from Text2Teach. Text2Teach implementation in Ilocos Norte brings the project much closer to achieving its goal of reaching more than 500 new schools by 2011. Text2Teach is the Philippine name of the global BridgeIT program which was CENTEX scholars attend “writeshop” in Davao Regional English language officer George Scholz of the US Embassy with one of the CENTEX scholars One of the CENTEX scholars, Angelo John Paraiso, is interviewed by ABS-CBN Twenty-nine high school scholars of the Center of Excellence in Public Elementary Education (CENTEX) participated in an English writing workshop for youth leaders sponsored by Kasilak Development Foundation, Inc. (KDFI) and the U.S. Embassy at the Brokenshire College and Resort Complex in Matina, Davao City, from October 25 to 29. The workshop which carried the theme, “How can I contribute to a better future?,” gathered more than 200 youth alumni of U.S.-funded programs from across the country and was designed to increase the students’ competence in English writing. The participants also worked towards sharing their experiences and leadership skills with one another. The week-long workshop was facilitated by regional English language officer George Scholz, along with Filipino alumni from youth exchange programs. During the training, CENTEX participants were also tapped to help facilitate blogging sessions and to assist fellow students in producing materials for the workshop blog. A number of the essays by CENTEX alumni were read and commended during the program’s culminating day. “The writing workshop also allowed us to learn from each other’s cultures,” said Clarisse Baltazar, CENTEX scholar at Sta. Isabel College-Manila. Volunteers teach other students how to blog The students who are also scholars of the U.S. Department of State’s English Access Microscholarship Program, are now undergoing the second year implementation of the program. They meet on selected Saturdays throughout the year for intensive classes to develop communication skills. 16 The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 14, Number 6, November-December 2010 BPI awards ten outstanding expat Pinoy children Ayala group stands out in 2010 Philippine Quill Awards Companies led by Ayala Land, Globe, Manila Water and Ayala Foundation all received top honors in the recently concluded 2010 Philippine Quill Awards. Winners of the Expat Pinoy search with BPI president Aurelio Montinola III Bank of the Philippine Islands recently announced the winners of the search for Ten Outstanding Expat Pinoy Children. BPI initiated the contest with the objective of honoring children of overseas Filipinos and promoting the value of education, culture of excellence, and nationalistic pride among Overseas Filipinos and their families. On its fourth year, the nationwide search launched four award categories for 10 winning students: Ibang Klaseng Talino, Ibang Klaseng Entrepreneur, Ibang Klaseng Community Leader, and Ibang Klaseng Artist/ Athlete Awards. The search was open to children of Overseas Filipinos with current work contracts abroad, college students not more than 21 years old, presently enrolled in a four-year course, and with no failing grade. Applicants also submitted an essay answering the question, “What is my role in nation building as a child of an Expat Pinoy?” The applicants were judged by a screening committee based on their academic excellence, community contribution, and other non-academic talents or skills insports, music, or the arts. Ayala Malls received the coveted Award of Excellence for its “UOne of the biggest winners of the night was Globe Telecom First” campaign and Market! Market!’s “Recycling is in the Bag.” Merit awards were given to Ayala Malls “Greenology” and Alabang Town Center’s “A Chance to Share” campaigns. Meanwhile Globe received three Excellence awards for Kalinga sa Bayan (Community Relations), Globe Negostar Fair (Marketing Communications), and Globe Great Deals Catalogue and Globe Life Magazine (Publications). Globe was also awarded with 13 Merit citations for Bangon Pinoy (Community Relations), Globe Store: The Blueprint of the Future (Media Relations, Special Events), Globe Cordillera Challenge (Media Relations, Multi-Audience Communication, Special Events, Graphic Design), Ka-Globe Jam (Special Events), Globe WiMAX Launches (Special Events), Lifeboats and Lifelines (Special Events), Globe Goes Green (Economic, Social, and Environmental Program), ICON: The Globe Intranet (Electronic and Digital Communication) and Globe BridgeCom Booth (Graphic Design). Manila Water also won the merit award for its Water Trail Education Program (Communication Management Category) a program which informs various stakeholders to learn more about water and wastewater treatment. Lastly the Ayala Foundation, Inc.–Youth Leadership Development Unit bagged the “2010 Philippine Quill–Award of Excellence” for its 12th National Ayala Young Leaders Congress (AYLC 2010). The Philippine Quill Awards recognizes best practices and the highest level of achievement by communicators through thought leadership, technical skills, and sustainable solutions in their successful programs. Representatives from the Ayala group, Manila Water and AYLC were all honored at the Philippine Quill Awards A dining experience like no other at the heart of Makati The winners received a trophy and P50,000 in cash credited to a BPInoy Savings Account. For a complete list of the 2010 awardees, visit www.bpi.com.ph MWC holds event for Boracay stakeholders The restaurants at the Ayala Triangle Gardens offer a fresh and unique experience for the denizens of Makati Among those present were: BIWC general manager Melvin Tan; PWWA VP for National Affairs Atty. Daniel P. Fandino Jr; BIWC president Perry Rivera; Ms. Earth 2010 Sandra Seifert; PWWA President Proceso Domingo; operations group director Ding Carpio, Arlene Villarroel, Manila Water EZBO Director Abe Basilio, and Yelo King Plant Manager Jeffrey Tejada Edang Boracay Island Water Co. (BIWC), a Manila Water subsidiary, recently held a “Partners in Sustainability Night” during the 2010 PhilWater Convention in Boracay. The event was held to recognize key stakeholders who have shown commitment in ensuring a sustainable environment by protecting Boracay’s waters. BIWC President Virgilio C. Rivera, Jr. said that the company will invest in the next five years on initiatives that will improve water and sewerage services to preserve Boracay’s beaches and help maintain and sustain the island’s tourist traffic and businesses for generations. A great dining experience is about good food enjoyed in a relaxing and remarkable setting. With wide, open spaces, a variety of trees, and natural landscaping, the restaurants at the Ayala Triangle Gardens offer delicious food, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a comfortable and serene haven at the center of the bustling Makati Central Business District—all of which create the perfect space for taking a refreshing snack, holding a lunch meeting, or simply enjoying a nice cup of coffee or a glass of wine after a hard day’s work. From old favorites and first-in-the country restaurants, 12 unique and exceptional dining establishments offer a buffet of flavors sure to satisfy any craving and taste. Ayala Land senior vice president and Ayala Malls group head Marivic Añonuevo says, “The restaurants at the Ayala Triangle Gardens were introduced to complement and complete the Ayala Triangle Gardens. The restaurant row is truly special as it offers a dining experience like no other.” Customers can enjoy Angus beef tapa with fried rice from Chef Laudico’s BFast All Day Breakfast Cafe; tasty Korean chicken wings from Bon Chon Chicken, an international franchise famous in New York; and savor delectable Hainanese chicken from Wee Nam Kee of Singapore. Other restaurants in the garden are Banapple Pies and Cheesecakes, Golden Spoon, C.B.D (Cheesesteaks, Burgers, and Drinks), Omakase, Pho 24, Amici, Cara Mia, Kanin Club, Momo! Café, and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. “We really challenged ourselves to have a superb mix of restaurants at the Ayala Triangle Gardens. These choices were carefully selected to provide an interesting mix of dining offerings to excite the Makati market.” says chief operating officer of Ayala Malls, Rowena Tomeldan. The restaurants at the Ayala Triangle Gardens were officially launched last November 17 and complement Ayala Land’s vision for the redevelopment of Makati as a mixed-use community, where residents, urbanites, and visitors can enjoy work and entertainment, and have a leisurely time all in one vibrant location. For more information, visit the Ayala Triangle Gardens website at www.ayalatrianglegardens.com. Manila Water closes $150 million deal with major Japanese banks Manila Water recently closed a US$150 million loan agreement with four major Japanese banks— ING Bank N.V. Tokyo Branch, Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho Corporate Bank, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. The loan which was guaranteed by the Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) is the first of its kind to be issued for a water project—a concrete sign of NEXI’s support for Manila Water’s financial capability and initiatives toward enabling the sustainable delivery of world-class water services to its customers. Manila Water Company recently signed a landmark loan worth US$150 million to support its extensive capital expenditure plan. Photo shows (from left): MWC president Gerardo C. Ablaza, Jr., MWC chairman, FZA; NEXI vice-chairman Fumihiko Kato, and ING Bank country manager Yogi Morishita, and MWC CFO Luis Juan Oreta According to NEXI vice-chairman Fumihiko Kato, “Manila Water has achieved remarkable success since its privatization, and it is indeed a great honor for NEXI to be able to contribute to the company’s further growth and development. Today, Manila Water has a reputation of being one of the most successful private water suppliers in Asia.” The loan will be used primarily for the continued improvement of the water network in the Manila East Zone, and will include the laying of additional primary mains, and the construction and rehabilitation of facilities such as pumping stations and storage infrastructure. Manila Water president and CEO Gerardo C. Ablaza, Jr. said, “We highly appreciate this partnership between Manila Water and NEXI, as this allows us to rehabilitate more pipelines and make our water network even more efficient. This loan will ensure continuously high quality water services to our over 6.1 million customers in Manila’s East Zone and will help us contribute significantly to the provision of universal access to water and sanitation to more Filipinos.” Ayala Land launches novel boutique hotels in key locations Ayala Land, Inc.’s (ALI) new boutique hotels are likely to set a trend in the industry. At the recent groundbreaking rites of the first property at Bonifacio Global City, Junie Jalandoni, vice president and group head of ALI Capital and Hotels, said the new hotels would be the first among a series of hotel properties that are designed for strategic locations and demographics. Slated for completion in 2012, the first boutique hotel draws on ALI’s track record for creating distinctive properties. It will be located on 11th Street, a main thoroughfare in Bonifacio Global City that also intersects the fashionable retail center, Bonifacio High Street. It is a short walk to the shops, restaurants, bars, art works, and entertainment centers that make up this retail boulevard defined by a strip of green. “For business travelers, location is very important. Time is precious to them and ALI president Antonino Aquino with Ayala Malls group head Marivic Añonuevo, deputy they want everything within reach. At the head Rowena Tomaldan and representatives from C.T. Onglao and Associates attend same time, they are exposed to global the groundbreaking ceremony for the latest boutique hotel at Bonifacio High Street standards and have developed a certain level of sophistication. Thus, the hotel will be business-friendly, stylish, but with a warm social atmosphere. Our boutique hotel is aimed at both foreign and local business travelers looking for an alternative, unique dwelling in an urban setting,” said Jalandoni. The 180-room hotel, designed by C.T. Onglao and Associates, will have a distinct design, and offer local flavor, accessible technology, and sharp service—while giving guests value for their money. As a home away from home, the boutique hotel will provide well-designed rooms, ample meeting rooms, communal spaces, a business corner, a gym, swimming pool, and a rooftop bar that faces Serendra. ALI will also be rolling out boutique hotels in Alabang, Quezon City, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro, according to Jalandoni. Certain design features will be carried in each property in line with its brand identity. The boutique hotels are considered essential elements of Ayala Land’s self-contained mixed-use business centers. As in other ALI properties, this hotel will adopt sustainable design features and operational best practices. “We are starting a new wave of accommodations that will offer style, location, and comfort at good prices. These hotels are key elements of the work and leisure environment provided by Ayala Land’s mixed-use developments,” said Jalandoni. Globe DUO hailed finalist in 2010 Mobile Excellence Awards Globe DUO, a breakthrough product of Globe Telecom, has been chosen as a finalist in the Best Mobile Service Category of the 2010 Mobile Excellence Awards. Globe DUO competed with well-known international brands in the field of mobile services and high-technology solutions under the said category. Launched in April 2009, Globe DUO offers the first-ever 2-in-1 mobile and landline service that provides unlimited, meter-free calls to landlines and other DUO users. Globe DUO has helped subscribers save on communication costs by giving them an easier and more economical way to stay in touch with other DUO users and landline users within their local calling area. “This recognition came from our customers who became our foremost advocates of this breakthrough service. The word of mouth endorsement for this service has been astounding. The DUO service platform also paved the way for other breakthrough products like SuperDUO and SuperHomephone which combine unlimited landline calling and unlimited calling to Globe/Touch Mobile,” said Ferdinand de la Cruz, head for consumer sales of Globe. “We offer this global recognition to our customers who continue to inspire us to innovate our products to serve their needs and break traditional ways of communicating for personal or business use.” The prestigious Mobile Excellence Awards recognize the best in mobile business and entertainment, including media, marketing and technology. The award-giving body honors excellence in achievements of mobile entertainment from start-ups to applications, to studios, including interactive media, film, television, music, games, and agencies. Entries are judged by luminaries handpicked from industry leaders, mobile and digital entertainment industries representing the creative community, major media companies, as well as digital and mobile media services. 18 The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 14, Number 6, November-December 2010 APMC passes audit with flying colors Ayala Property Management Corporation (APMC) recently passed its 4th surveillance audit with zero non-conformance violations. A periodic audit performed by an external auditor (Certification International Philippines or CIP) is conducted to ensure that APMC sustains its ISO requirements every year. The properties that were audited included: Solaris, Bonifacio Bridge, Nuvali, Trinoma, Glorietta 5, Montgomery Place, and all of APMC’s other support groups. Isuzu finishes fifth in 1st Isuzu World Grand Prix (From left) IADI technical training officer Gino V. Batan, IADI Service functional director Alex B. Paguio, Arnold Victorio, Joffry Buniel, and Ayala Automotive Group president Rufino Luis T. Manotok The Isuzu Automotive Dealership, Inc. (IADI) team represented by Arnold Victorio and Joffry Buniel with coach Joey Bias, finished fifth at the recently concluded 1st Isuzu World Grand Prix held at the Isuzu Training Center in Kawasaki, Japan. The IADI team competed against representatives from Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Victorio and Buniel, who are both from Isuzu Alabang, are grandslam winners from the Isuzu Service Skills Olympics held last April by Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC). Coach Joey Bias, from Isuzu Philippines guided the technicians during the course of the competition. Contestants competed in two categories where their competence in basic vehicle inspection procedures, diagnosing procedures (technical competition), and written skills (academic competition) were put to test. FZA participates in the selection of 2010 MOTY awardee Ayala president and chief operating officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala participated in the selection process of the 2010 Microentrepreneur of the year (MOTY) awardee for the Microentrepreneur Awards Program of Citi, the Microfinance Council of the Philippines and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. FZA witm members of the National Selection Comittiee (from left) RFM president and CEO Jose Ma. A Concepcion III, Citi country officer Sanjiv Vohra, BSP Governor Amando A. This is the eigth run of the Tetangco Jr., Philippine Daily Inquirer chairman Marixi Rufino-Prieto, and Ateneo de Manila Microentrepreneur Awards University professor Darwin Yu Program which aims to highlight the importance of microfinance in economic development as well as recognize the many inspiring stories of microentrepreneurs. The search and selection for awardees is comprehensive and rigorous. This year microfinance institutions gathered and short-listed 90 nominees from around the country. Out of this shortlist, the technical working team further trimmed the number down to 29. These 29 nominees were then visited for validation and further information gathering. After the visits, a final shortlist of 17 was made for the National Selection Committee. Globe Telecom launches Philippines’ first mobile ads platform Globe Telecom and its partner, Out There Media, marked a first in the Philippine advertising industry with the launch of the first mobile advertising platform in the Philippines. The launch was capped by a workshop for the country’s top advertisers on how to harness the power and capabilities of mobile advertising to reach target audiences. The mobile advertising service, titled “My Rewards, My Globe Plus,” is a next-generation permission-based mobile Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu (2nd from left) and Minette advertising service for opt-in customers. It is the only Navarrete, head of the New Business Group (left), sign a mobile advertising program of its kind in the Philippines. contract with global mobile advertising leader Out There Media, Globe subscribers will be able to choose to receive represented by its CEO Kerstin Trikalitis and Fabrizio Caruso, mobile ads from their preferred categories, be it fashion or vice president for Business Development & general manager food, from brands, products or services they would want for Asia-Pacific to try. They will also give permission (opt-in) to receive advertising on their mobile phones that is tailored to their preferences, interests, and needs. In exchange for opting to receive mobile ads, subscribers can earn points redeemable against discounts and free gifts from the loyalty program for all of its subscribers. Mitsubishi holds international advisory meeting Timezone celebrates Christmas early with Child Haus Timezone celebrated Christmas early this year with the kids of Child Haus (Center for Health Improvement and Life Development) on November 17. The Ricky Reyes Foundation founded Child Haus to serve as a temporary shelter that provides free room and board to indigent sick children from the provinces, while they undergo medical treatment such as chemotherapy in Metro Manila hospitals. The children were treated to a simple party held at Timezone Glorietta 4 hosted by actress RR Herrera and singer Karylle. Karylle, who has been hosting the Timezone Christmas Party for the last three years, was joined by Child Haus founder Ricky Reyes and fellow celebrities Venus Raj, Ryan Bang and Joe of “Pinoy Big Brother,” Victor Basa, Ala Kim, Ruther Urquia, and Zsa Zsa Padilla. The kids of Child Haus with staff, volunteers and celebrity guests Mitsubishi Corporation’s International Advisory Committee, composed mainly of directors, auditors, and experts, recently held its annual meeting in Japan. Among those present were (seated from left) Dr. Herminio Blanco Mendoza, Prof. Joseph S. Nye, Ratan N. Tata, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, (standing from left) Ambassador Ryozo Kato, Minoru Makihara, Mikio Sasaki, Yorihiko Kojima, Ken Kobayashi, and Hidehiro Konno. Ayala secures sixyear USD funding Ayala Corporation, through its wholly owned subsidiary, AYC Finance Ltd., recently signed a US $260 million six-year facility. A unique term loan facility with an average life of 5.5 years, the loan was priced at an all-in rate of London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus160 basis points (bps), way inside the prevailing market rates of over 200 bps. The deal is the first self-arranged club style US$ term loan closed within three weeks. The lenders are Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi-UFJ (BTMU), Mizuho Bank, ANZ Bank, Citibank, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. Ayala’s chief finance officer Delfin C. Gonzalez, Jr. (fourth from left) and treasurer Ramon G. Opulencia (fifth from left) join the signing ceremony held on December 16 in Hong Kong by Schumann Chik, senior vice president of BTMU Hongkong; Kristin Braden, global banking head of Citibank NA Manila; Masakazu Mizutani, general manager of BTMU Manila; Patrick Lon, deputy general manager of Mizuho Hong Kong; Panadda Manoleehakul, chief executive officer of ANZ Bank for the Philippines and Thailand; and Chris Chan, regional head for corporate banking of SMBC Hongkong A tu n n e l o f c o l o r s Every year the Ayala Malls group turns to chairman emeritus Jaime Zobel de Ayala, to transform the Greenbelt tunnel into a public art space. Since the theme of the malls is “magical,” JZA chose an artwork that featured a play on colors. Although a tunnel is atypically an artist’s first choice as canvass, JZA welcomes the challenge, and takes into consideration the number of people who have limited access to art. He said “a tunnel is not necessarily an artist’s true exhibit hall, and yet it is a venue for hundreds of passersby.” His works enliven the gray and dull walls of the tunnel, which makes each tiresome journey more bearable, as passersby are reminded that there is beauty in the everyday. 20 The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 14, Number 6, November-December 2010 Ayala in the International Scene IMI exhibits in Electronica 2010 IMI president and CEO Arthur Tan with Helmut Baumgart (left) and Josef Pfister (right) of IMI Europe Sales attend Electronica 2010 IMI booth at Electronica 2010 Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI), an electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider to the world’s leading original equipment manufacturers, exhibited at Electronica 2010 on November 9 to 12, 2010, in Munich, Germany. Electronica is regarded as the biggest electronics trade show in Europe. In the Munich Trade Fair, IMI’s booth was located in a hall dedicated to EMS providers and printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturers. IMI showcased its comprehensive design-to-manufacturing solutions for the automotive, industrial, medical, storage device, telecommunications, and consumer markets. Further, IMI introduced to the European market its capabilities in solar ‘inverter’ development, photovoltaic module prototyping, and power semiconductor assembly and test. Arthur Tan, president and chief executive officer of IMI, said, “We continue to grow our business in Europe. The region now accounts for 37 percent of our revenues and we are increasing its share by pursuing opportunities in the fast-growing markets of automotive and industrial electronics and renewable energy.” On the first day of Electronica 2010, Tan was interviewed by two leading electronics trade publications in Europe: Elektronik Praxis, a Germany-based electronics trade publication, and EMS Now, a UK-based EMS and PCB industry online publication. In My Life: Soul portraits by Onib Olmedo at Ayala Museum Ayala Museum highlights the artistic contributions of Onib Olmedo in its latest exhibit In My Life: Soul Portraits by Onib Olmedo at the Ground Floor Gallery. The exhibit opened on November 9. In My Life: Soul Portraits by Onib Olmedo features artworks presented to the public for the first time. Recognized as one of The Editorial Team Publisher Victoria Garchitorena Editor-in-Chief Maritoni Ortigas Editorial Consultant Emi de Lara Managing Editor Alex Gregorio Deputy Managing Editor Michelle Ancheta Assistant Editor Janella Cacdac-Siena Graphic Designer Izza Lambino Advertising Manager Ciela Cayton Photographer Jaime Martinez Digital Imagist Jose Reginald Juanico the leading figurative expressionists in the country, Olmedo’s works captivated the soul of his subject matters. Each portrait not only depicts the subjects’ physical attributes but also convey their deepest feelings. Art Philippines describes Olmeda’s work as “not beautiful in the classical sense; but they are extremely powerful vehicles for expressing psychological tensions.” Olmedo won gold medals in two Art Association of the Philippines competitions and a Mobil Oil Philippine Art Competition; an “Araw ng Maynila” Award in art, and was one of Thirteen Artist Awardees of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. He was the recipient of the prestigious international art competition award in Cagnes Sur Mer, France, in 1992—the very first Filipino to be accorded such a distinction. Art critic Alice Guillermo referred to the artist as: “the landmark Filipino artist of the 20th century who has played a major role in the history of Philippine art, exerting vast influence on a whole new generation Correspondents Ayala Corporation Janella Cacdac-Siena Ayala Foundation, Inc. Michelle Ancheta Ayala Land, Inc. Jorge Miguel T. Marco Ayala Property Management Corp. Christine Lim-Siruelo Ayala Systems Technology, Inc. Genesis Bautista Bank of the Philippine Islands Reena Dungca Globe Telecom EJ Francisco Honda Cars Makati, Inc. Monina Macavinta HRMall, Inc. Gabby Mejia Integrated Microelectronics, Inc. Fred Blancas Manila Water Company Alberto A. Ramirez, Ranny Habaluyas Timezone Nedz Manangan, Misty Garcia of artists through figurative expressionist paintings that explore the inner recesses of the soul, affirming the ultimate triumph of the human spirit.” In My Life: Soul Portraits by Onib Olmedo will run until January 2011. The exhibition catalogue is available for sale at the Ayala Museum Shops. Additional support is provided by Chateau 1771. For more information, contact 757.7117 to 21 local 28 or visit www.ayalamuseum.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
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