The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 13, Number 2, March-April 2009
inside
2 JAZA shares insights on leadership at Jollibee
3 Ayala Foundation celebrates 48th anniversary
4 Ayala companies welcome 2009 by winning awards
12 Globe’s new products complement a mobile lifestyle
17 Manila Water launches Katubig Day program
Ayala posts P2.2 billion net income for Q1 2009
Ayala Corporation reported that its consolidated net
income reached P2.2 billion in the first quarter of 2009, the
highest in the past four quarters, excluding capital gains,
but 18 percent lower than the same period last year. The
conglomerate’s core business units in telecom and banking
registered double-digit increases in earnings with sustained
business volume growth in its key markets.
“We are pleased to see some degree of resiliency in
domestic demand despite the slowdown in the global
economy. This continues to drive the growth of our core
business units. However, consumer confidence continues
to be tempered relative to pre-crisis levels, but we expect
this to eventually turn as macroeconomic conditions
stabilize,” Ayala president and chief operating officer
Fernando Zobel de Ayala said.
FZA addresses
shareholders at Ayala’s
annual stockholders’
meeting on April 3 at
InterContinental Manila
Globe Telecom sustained its growth momentum with net
income increase of 17 percent to P4 billion, the highest
in the past five quarters. The steady performance of its
wireless business and the growth of its broadband and
wireline data businesses resulted in net service revenue
growth of 3 percent to P16 billion.
JAZA reacts to a
comment during the
annual stockholders’
meeting open forum
The Bank of the Philippine Islands posted P2.9 billion
in net income, 86 percent higher year-on-year and the
highest in the past five quarters. Strong growth in core
market segments, better net interest spreads, and trading
opportunities drove earnings growth. Ayala Land posted
a net income of P907 million. Most of its core product
lines registered healthy revenue growth from shopping
centers and corporate businesses. These have offset
lower residential sales with combined bookings across
its three residential brands down by 48 percent due to
slower demand.
“Ayala’s strong financial and cash position gives the group
the flexibility to pursue growth initiatives at both the holding
company level and at the level of the operating units.
These initiatives will continue to build on the strong market
position we have achieved in our key markets and allow us
to achieve a stronger growth trajectory as the economic
cycle turns,” FZA added.
Manila Water continued to deliver double-digit earnings
growth with net income increase of 14 percent to
P622 million. Cumulative water sales in the first three
months of 2009, combined with the partial impact of the
inflation rate adjustment, pushed revenues up 6 percent.
Ayala Corporation disclosed a consolidated net income of
P8.1 billion for 2008. This was 50 percent lower than in 2007
as equity earnings from Ayala’s operating units dropped to
P7.8 billion and capital gains from share sales declined by
63 percent.
Ayala’s electronics manufacturing and business process
outsourcing units, which are more exposed to the global
downturn, faced lower volumes. Integrated Microelectronics
Inc.’s sales decreased by 26 percent as world demand
for electronic products remained muted. Ayala’s BPO
companies generated $82 million in revenues, 3 percent
lower than last year.
In 2008, at the height of the credit market crunch, Ayala
and its business units raised P23 billion in cash to ensure
that it would be able to pursue its growth plans in 2009.
The conglomerate has also allocated some of its cash in
the business process outsourcing sector with cumulative
investments of about $200 million.
Ayala CEOs get new assignments
eTelecare widens global reach
Ayala Corporation has recently reorganized its
senior executive team and appointed new CEOs
for Manila Water Company, Ayala Land Inc.,
and Globe Telecom Inc.
LiveIt Solutions Inc., through its subsidiary eTelecare Global
Solutions, is expanding its overseas reach by buying a contact
center and entering into agreements in South Africa.
As the business environment continues to shift, Ayala
seeks to adapt to these changes in a progressive way.
The appointments were announced at the Ayala annual
stockholders’ meeting on April 3.
eTelecare announced on March 5 that it has completed the acquisition of TalkTalk
Group Ltd.’s contact center subsidiary, The Phone House (Proprietary) Ltd. in
South Africa. Together with the acquisition, eTelecare also entered into a threeyear agreement to provide business process outsourcing (BPO) services to
TalkTalk Group customers in the United Kingdom. Through this venture, eTelecare
adds about 400 employees to its workforce in Cape Town, South Africa.
Gerardo Ablaza
Manila Water president Antonino Aquino returned to Ayala
Land as its new president, replacing Jaime Ayala, who
rejoined Ayala Corporation as a senior managing director
and member of the group management committee.
Rene Almendras and Ernest Cu, meanwhile, took over as
presidents of Manila Water and Globe, respectively.
Aquino has been with Ayala for 28 years and was a former
senior vice president of Ayala Land. Under Aquino’s
leadership, Manila Water upgraded Metro Manila East Zone’s
water distribution system and increased its shareholder
The Phone House (Proprietary) Ltd is a South African company that provides
support services in South Africa. UK-based TalkTalk Group is a service provider of
mobile and fixed-line telecommunications and broadband services.
Ernest Cu
continued on p.2
eTelecare has also signed an agreement with United States–based handheld
messaging device manufacturer Peek for the provision of customer care,
technical support, and inbound sales services. The services, to be performed via
e-mail, chat, and voice, will be delivered from one of eTelecare’s delivery centers
in the US.
continued on p.2
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 13, Number 2, March-April 2009
JAZA shares insights
on leadership at Jollibee
Ayala CEOs get new assignments
continued from p.1
Ayala Corporation chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala
shared stories, insights, and ideas on leadership and success at the
Seventh Jollibee Foods Corporation Leadership Learning Zone program
held on March 16 at the GCF Building in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
JFC chairman and CEO Tony Tan Caktiong, along with about 500 JFC management
team members and executives, welcomed JAZA, who centered his discussion on how
businesses can survive amidst the global economic crisis.
JAZA told JFC employees that periods of uncertainties should be taken as challenges
and opportunities for creativity and value formation. He shared the approaches he and
his brother Fernando Zobel de Ayala use to introduce innovations and look for strategies
that will help spur the further
growth of Ayala.
“One should not be afraid to
take risks,” JAZA pointed out.
He admitted that for very large
corporations like Ayala and
JFC, direct interaction with
customers gets harder, but their
personnel should take time to
do so because this works for the
development of the corporation.
Jollibee Foods CEO Tony Tan Caktiong (right) presents
JAZA with the JFC Mentor Award
JAZA encourages Jollibee Foods executives to view the
global economic crisis as an opportunity to innovate and
be creative
JAZA commended JFC for
frequently conducting these
management forums because
leadership programs encourage
employees to openly discuss
different challenges, successes,
opinions, and ideas.
Tan Caktiong presented JAZA
with the JFC Mentor Award,
which recognizes industry leaders
whose achievements, values, and
character have made enduring
contributions to the country’s
welfare and development. The
award was also JFC’s way of
showing its appreciation to
mentors who have shared their
wisdom and experience with JFC
executives and managers.
value by more than 10 times. Almendras joined Ayala in
2001 as head of Ayala Land’s Visayas-Mindanao Group
and was the president of Cebu Holdings Inc. and Cebu
Property Ventures and Development Corporation.
Under Jaime Ayala, Ayala Land posted 130 percent
revenue growth and 80 percent earnings growth over
five years. Ayala Land successfully launched two new
sustainability-oriented cities—Bonifacio Global City and
Nuvali. The company also doubled mall and office gross
leasable area with new malls and office campuses.
Ablaza was instrumental in bringing Globe from
a fourth-rank mobile services provider, with only
97,000 subscribers in 1997, to becoming the
country’s second biggest full-service telecom
operator with a 25-million subscriber base.
Cu joined Globe as deputy chief executive officer in
2008, bringing with him over two decades of general
management and business development experience. He
was a former president and CEO of SPi Technologies, a
major outsourcing service provider, and was cofounder of
eTelecare Global Solutions.
Cu said of his new appointment: “I’m starting off with a
very solid company. Gerry (Ablaza) has built a fantastic
platform on which to build, with Globe having a very
robust balance sheet and tremendous cash flow. Over
the past few years, Globe has also built a very strong
strategy which is to go into broadband and to maintain an
aggressive pace on mobile voice. Now my focus will be
to take Globe from challenger to leader, and the first area
where that could potentially happen is in broadband. We
want Globe to dominate the telco landscape of the future
with compelling offerings and flawless execution that
subscribers will rave about.”
JAZA, Ayala Foundation commended
for contribution to GFMD success
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo conferred a Presidential Merit award
and a Presidential Unit citation on Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Ayala
Foundation Inc., respectively, on March 11 for their contribution to the success
of the Second Meeting of the Global Forum on Migration and Development Civil
Society Days held in October 2008.
Rene Almendras
Jaime Ayala
eTelecare widens global reach
continued from p.1
To be able to deliver BPO services to
Peek’s clients, eTelecare implemented
a multichannel integrated customer
relationship management solution,
complete with comprehensive
knowledge management and e-mail and
chat support services.
Peek is the creator of the world’s first
e-mail-only mobile device, which allows
US customers to stay connected via
unlimited e-mail and text messaging.
eTelecare currently has more than
13,000 employees in the Philippines,
United States, and Nicaragua.
eTelecare’s Philippine delivery centers,
which house 80 percent of its total
workforce, are strategically located in
different parts of Metro Manila, including
Eastwood City, Makati City, Muntinlupa
City, and Mandaluyong City. eTelecare
also has two centers in Cebu and one in
Pampanga, within the former US military
base in Clark.
President Arroyo and foreign affairs secretary Alberto Romulo conferred the
awards and citations on JAZA, AFI, 19 government and private-sector officials,
and 10 institutions in a ceremony held at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang.
AFI was the convenor of Civil Society Days, a two-day civil-society forum that
tackled the most pressing issues of global migration. The forum included an
interface session with government representatives.
The GFMD in Manila was attended by diplomats, media observers, and NGO
representatives from 163 countries and 133 institutions.
Antonino Aquino
Ernest Cu took over as Globe president and CEO, while
Gerardo Ablaza moved back to Ayala Corporation to
help oversee the conglomerate’s business interests in
communication, banking, and other allied fields. Ablaza
remains on the boards of directors of Globe and BPI.
JAZA receives a presidential merit award from President
Arroyo and foreign affairs secretary Alberto Romulo
News
Conviction in action: Ayala holds 11th AYLC
The 11th Ayala Young Leaders
Congress held on February 11 to
13 in Alfonso, Cavite, challenged
a new batch of young leaders
to turn their dreams into action.
Seventy-three students from
various colleges and universities
all over the country attended
the congress, which carried the
theme Leading and Serving:
Conviction in Action.
For three days, the participants
exchanged views with known personalities
from various sectors on how to practice
the principles of leadership in their fields
and careers. The congress included
plenary sessions, breakout discussions,
and physical activities.
Isabela governor Grace Padaca, who
served as keynote speaker, stressed
the importance of voting wisely and the
significance of the youth vote, which may
very well determine the next set of leaders
of the country. Padaca encouraged the
participants to take an active stand in
voting for responsible public
servants.
“You, young people, you who
are fortunate to be able to go to
school, be educated, be able to
read books and other research
materials, listen to professors—
all these should guide you to
make better choices. So much
more is expected of you than of
those who are very poor and are
not able to go to school. Your
decision should be different
from those who are simply
motivated by their great need,”
Padaca said.
The 11th congress also served as a
reunion for AYLC alumni. Among the
speakers was AYLC 2003 alumna
Rohaniza Sumndad, country director of
Asia-America Initiative. Sumndad said
that what she had learned during her
time at the congress made her who she
is today.
Also present was AYLC 2000 alumnus
Christian Vallez, playwright and
Palanca awardee, who spoke about his
involvement in literature and the arts.
(Above) Jaime Zobel de Ayala and
Gerard Dimaguila of Ateneo de
Zamboanga light a candle during
the participants’ batch presentation
(Right) Young leaders are
challenged to turn their dreams
into actions and practice servant
leadership in their chosen fields
Ayala Foundation celebrates 48th anniversary and CENTEX’s 10th anniversary
Ayala Foundation Inc. celebrated its 48th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of one of
its divisions, the Center of Excellence in Public Elementary Education, on March 12 at the
Greenbelt Onstage Theater.
The event started with a holy mass officiated by Fr. Ben Tuazon of St. Alphonsus Liguori
Parish. Fr. Tuazon extended a special message to the graduating students of CENTEX,
inviting them to learn how to give back to the community.
Mariel Reyes, CENTEX graduate and a scholar of the Berea Arts and Sciences High School,
opened the program by singing A Dream is A Wish, accompanied on the piano by Ryan
Cayabyab. Cayabyab also accompanied CENTEX’s first class of scholars in performing their
batch song Kung Kami’y Pagbibigyan.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of National Artist Vicente Manansala’s painting
Mother and Child: So Tenderly. The painting’s owners, Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Lopa, through
Joel Lopa, generously granted CENTEX the rights to use the image for the center’s
commemorative plates and paper products. The proceeds from the sale of these products
will benefit CENTEX students.
The double celebration was attended by Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Jaime Augusto Zobel de
Ayala, AFI executive vice president Guillermo Luz, Kit Zobel, division directors, partners,
teachers, principals, parents, and the first batch of CENTEX scholars who will be college
freshmen in June.
JZA expressed thanks and lauded Ayala Foundation and CENTEX for their commitment.
He recalled that as far back as 1856, long before Joseph McMicking and Mercedes Zobel
McMicking established AFI’s forerunner Filipinas Foundation, Margarita Roxas de Ayala was
already involved in community and education development projects.
Meanwhile, CENTEX director Carol Atacador, who has been a driving force in developing
CENTEX, has retired. She has worked to set up the CENTEX system and curriculum, working
with key individuals to ensure that the scholars from poor communities would have access
to quality education. Atacador will remain involved in the project as an AFI consultant and
adviser. Ramon Miranda, a scientist and former executive director of the Philippine Science
High School, takes over as CENTEX director effective April 1.
“CENTEX has been a classroom for me. I have learned that we could only hope for a better,
more progressive country if we could provide our youth with quality education—an education
that integrates academics with life skills, and empowers the youth to transform their dreams
into actions,” Atacador said.
CENTEX started in 1999 as a school for 75 underprivileged but smart students in Tondo,
Manila. In 2000, it opened a second school in Bauan, Batangas. CENTEX now runs two
schools with about 1,000 students enrolled from kindergarten to Grade 6.
Former CENTEX director Carol Atacador
(second from left) with CENTEX scholar Laarni
Canzana and her parents
(From left) Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Lopa, former CENTEX
director Carol Atacador, and Kit Zobel unveil Manasala’s mother-and-child painting
AyalaTBI kicks off 2009 with three forums
Ayala Technology Business Incubator jumpstarted 2009 with three forums: data
visualization at the Kape + Teknolohiya forum, and separate discussions on the local
gaming industry and changing strategies in venture capital at the Innovation Forum.
Ayala TBI invited Diego Maranan, faculty member of Information and Communication
Studies at the University of the Philippines Open University, to Kape +Teknolohiya on
January 29 to talk about Visualizing Data: Making Sense of an Information-Rich World
at the UP–Ayala Land TechnoHub.
At this year’s first AyalaTBI Innovation Forum chief executive officer of IP Ventures
Enrique Gonzalez talked about the local gaming industry. Entitled Play it Smart in 2009
(Is Gaming Still an Option?), the forum covered the dynamics of the local gaming
industry, the change in buying patterns, and the value proposition for advertisers
(adver-gaming), given the slowdown in the global economy. Gonzalez also talked
about the need to develop local gaming talents to take advantage of intellectual
property gains for online gaming.
The second Innovation Forum, held on February 26, had Denny Roja, a managing
partner of US-based Acuity Ventures, talking about the changing strategies of venture
capitalists in view of the current global economic climate. Roja identified promising
growth areas that venture capitalists are keeping an eye on. These areas include clean
technology, health care, and mobile applications.
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 13, Number 2, March-April 2009
Ayala starts the year reaping awards
Ayala companies welcomed 2009 by winning local and
international awards and recognitions for their products,
services, investor relations (IR), and corporate social
responsibility programs.
Ayala CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala was voted Best CEO in
FinanceAsia’s annual poll for best managed companies. Ayala also emerged
as the country’s best managed company, best in corporate governance, and
best in corporate social responsibility in the FinanceAsia survey. Globe’s Delfin
Gonzalez was voted Best CFO with Ayala Corporation’s treasurer, Ramon
Opulencia, coming in at second place. Manila Water was judged best mid-cap
company by more than 230 investors and analysts across Asia.
Ayala Corporation, meanwhile, was chosen best quoted company in the
Philippines at the Third Thomson Reuters Extel Asia/Pacific Survey 2008,
which represents the weighted views on IR practice and excellence of over
500 investment professionals from 26 countries across Asia Pacific. The
survey, which ran from September 1 to October 17, 2008, ranked listed
companies for their IR excellence.
In the area of corporate governance, seven Ayala business units were included
in the top 15 companies that obtained the highest points in the corporate
governance scorecard according to the Institute of Corporate Governance.
The companies were officially recognized at the Fourth Corporate Governance
Scorecard for Publicly listed Companies in the Philippines held on April 23 at
the Peninsula Manila.
Ayala companies recognized at 6th MAP Best Annual
Report Awards
The Management Association of the Philippines
presented the Best Annual Report Award to Manila
Water Company for its 2007 annual report at the Sixth
MAP Annual Report Awards held on February 10 at
the InterContinental Manila. Manila Water bested 50
other publicly listed companies for the first time after
winning first runner-up in 2005 and 2006.
MAP cited Manila Water’s annual report for perfectly
aligning the company’s business goals with its social
and environmental commitments, and for reporting
beyond the traditional financial bottom line. The
annual reports were evaluated based on compliance
and disclosure, corporate governance, and userfriendliness. Bonus points were given to entries that
disclosed the attendance of directors in their board
meetings, the remuneration of their directors, and the
fees they paid to their independent auditors.
Globe Telecom was first runner-up and best in
corporate governance disclosure for a non-financial institution. According to MAP, Globe’s
2007 annual report communicates the vision, mission, and values behind Globe’s drive
to meet and exceed customer expectations. Cebu Holdings Inc., on the other hand, was
awarded Most Improved Annual Report.
The Ayala group of companies received a special award for conglomerates with three or
more of its companies in the top 20 finalists. The annual reports of Ayala Corporation, Ayala
Land Inc., and Cebu Holdings made it to the top 20 list.
Through its Best Annual Report Awards, MAP intends to raise the financial reporting and
disclosure practices of publicly listed Philippine companies to higher standards.
Former Manila Water president
Tony Aquino (third from left) is
all smiles after the company
won this year’s MAP best
annual report. With Aquino
are the members of the 2008
annual report team (from left)
Jeric Sevilla, Ranny Habaluyas,
Dave Valeriano, Leah de la
Cruz, and Thom Ortega
Ayala CFO Rufino Luis Manotok
(second from right) receives the
Thomson Reuters award on behalf
of Ayala from (from left) Reuters
Manila news bureau chief Raju
Gopalakrishnan, Reuters business
manager for the Philippines Rainer
Fuchsluger, and head of investor
relations Nona Torres
Assistant corporate secretary and general
counsel Solomon Hermosura (left) accepts the
Best for Responsibilities of Management and the
Board of Directors in the Philippines award on
behalf of Ayala at the 2009 Asiamoney Awards
from Asiamoney editor Richard Morrow
BPI receives top honors from financial community
The Bank of the Philippine Islands was honored as one of the top performing banks in the
region by the Philippine Dealing System Group, and The Asset, a multimedia company
that caters to Asian financial communities.
BPI was named Best Cash Management Bank in the Philippines at The Asset Triple A
Transaction Banking Awards held on March 19 in Hong Kong. The bank was cited as one
of the most respected cash management institutions offering customized solutions to the
most demanding clients in the country.
Meanwhile, BPI’s subsidiaries BPI Capital Corporation and BPI Securities Corporation
were recognized as two of 2008’s top performers in the financial industry during the Fourth
PDS Group Awards. The top performers among PDS Group’s fixed-income securities
dealing and brokering participants, settlement and custody participants, spot foreign
exchange dealing participants, and corporate issuers were cited during the event held at
the Peninsula Manila on February 26.
BPI Securities Corporation
president Spencer Yap
(right) receives a plaque of
recognition from SEC chair Fe
Barin (left) as PDS president
Vicente Castillo looks on
For generating the most number of trade tickets for 2008, BPI Capital was recognized as
the top brokering participant for retail transactions. The PDS Group recognized BPI Capital’s
efforts to achieve a wider retail distribution of fixed-income securities. The company also
ranked third among the top five fixed-income brokering participants for 2008.
BPI Securities ranked third in the top five depository participants for 2008 for generating
one of the highest volumes in depository holdings. BPI, on the other hand, ranked
fourth in the top five fixed-income dealing participants for 2008, and placed third in
the top five Philippine Domestic Dollar Transaction System/payment-versus-payment
participants for 2008.
The PDS awards acknowledge the role and contribution of BPI, BPI Capital, and BPI
Securities in the development of the country’s capital markets. Their accomplishments
as top performers contribute to the substantial growth of the market as shown in the
increases in trading volume and number of transactions, as well as in the opening up of
new markets and in product innovation.
continued on p.8
News
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 13, Number 2, March-April 2009
AFI, BPI, and MACEA join forces to promote
energy efficiency in buildings
To promote energy efficiency, help mitigate climate change, and
facilitate access to resources for investments in sustainable energy,
Ayala Foundation Inc., Bank of the Philippine Islands, and Makati
Commercial Estate Association have teamed up to conduct a study
on the energy efficiency of commercial buildings at the Makati Central
Business District.
UP students explain their thesis project, which uses
the ZigBee module that IMI donated, to IMI Philippines
design and development vice president Chicho
Mantaring (left). ZigBee is a low-cost networking
standard
IMI establishes university cooperation
program on wireless sensor networks
Taking advantage of the growing wireless technology sector, Integrated
Microelectronics Inc. has recently established a university cooperation
program on wireless sensor networks. IMI will donate a WSN University Kit
containing more than 100 wireless nodes, a pair of development boards, a
gateway, fully assembled demonstration nodes, and various accessories
such as power supplies, antennas, and cables to select partner universities.
The participant university will then develop application notes and technical
To be conducted from April to June 2009, the study will include some of the country’s
largest office buildings, hotels, hospitals, and malls. At the end of the study, participating
building owners will receive recommendations on improving energy efficiency and
upgrading systems or equipment, and will get free walkthrough energy audits, when
applicable. There will also be a knowledge-sharing seminar where survey results and
recommendations for participants and other stakeholders will be presented.
BPI, which has partnered with the International Finance Corporation in its Sustainable
Energy Finance Program, expects the study to pave the way for greater public awareness
of energy efficiency (EE) and to provide benchmarks for future EE programs. The bank
is also looking into the assessment of the EE market in the local commercial sector. IFC
will lend technical support during the survey, which could determine, among other data,
the savings that building owners can potentially generate from improved efficiency of
equipment and operations, and EE contributions to mitigating climate change. Ayala Foundation currently works with MACEA in the implementation of the Solid Waste
Management Program. This partnership has prompted AFI to expand the advocacy
program toward the overall “greening” of buildings. The study on energy efficiency is a first
step in that direction.
papers, which IMI and the university can jointly publish.
The University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, and Mapua Institute of
Technology were among the first schools to receive the kits and sign a memorandum
of agreement with IMI. De La Salle University is also set to receive a university kit from
the company.
IMI believes that wireless technology will continue to play a key role in today’s increasingly
interconnected world. As such, it has developed a variety of hardware platforms that can
be used to implement WSNs. A WSN is a collection of wirelessly connected devices that
monitor physical or environmental conditions and implement corrective or preventive
actions accordingly. Application areas include home automation, environment monitoring,
and traffic control. The platforms include end nodes, routers, coordinators, and a gateway
that allows the WSN to be monitored through the Internet.
AFI, BPI, and MACEA sign a memorandum of agreement to conduct a study on the energy efficiency
of Makati commercial buildings. In photo are (from left) AFI director Mario Deriquito, AFI executive
vice president Guillermo Luz, BPI senior executive vice president Gil Buenaventura, MACEA president
Adolfo Duarte, and IFC resident representative Jesse Ang
Globe partners with OFW commission
Globe Telecom Inc. has partnered with the Commission
on Filipinos Overseas, a government agency mandated
to strengthen cooperation with overseas Filipinos and
promote their interests. The partnership seeks to create
programs, projects, and services geared toward helping
Filipinos overseas.
Globe’s partnership with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas is
formalized with the signing of an agreement. Present during the signing
are Globe OFC local segment business head Fernando Busuego
(seated, left) and CFO executive director Jennifer Gonzales (seated,
right) together with Globe and CFO representatives
The partnership aims to provide migrant Filipinos easier access to
Globe’s products and services when they visit CFO offices in Manila
and Cebu. The partnership provides information on relevant services
through CFO publications, and prizes and entertainment in CFO events.
Globe will participate in CFO’s predeparture orientation seminars for
emigrants bound for the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
News
Manila Water conducts public consultation
to soften impact of tariff increases
The Manila Water Company and
Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage
System held a public consultation with
consumers in Quezon City on March 2. The
forum presented initiatives that would help
consumers cope better with the current
financial crisis.
During the presentation, Manila Water
explained that if its concession agreement
were renewed and extended to year 2037
instead of 2022, tariff adjustments will only
be P1 per year from 2010 to 2012. There
will be no increase in 2009.
Accordingly, the additional 15 years will
allow lower and easier rate adjustments for
consumers. Under the plan, instead of the
previously announced rate adjustment of
P8.75 in the 2007 approved Manila Water
business plan, covering 2008 to 2012, the
tariff adjustments will only be P3, which
translate to a 66 percent reduction.
“The MWSS has been holding dialogues
with Manila Water to find more ways to
mitigate the impact of tariff increases on
consumers and at the same time help
boost the economy. Manila Water has
come up with a proposal that will allow the
implementation of these objectives. These
consultations were held to allow Manila
Water to explain its plan to the public,”
MWSS administrator Diosdado Jose
Allado said.
According to Manila Water, the plan will
provide a good stimulus for the economy
because of the huge investments that
the company will pour into infrastructure
programs, particularly those related to
wastewater projects. The concessionaire
plans to increase investments from
P187 billion to P450 billion and in the
process create 30,000 new jobs per year
through its contractors and suppliers.
BPI–DOST science competition
marks 20th year
Nearly 100 winners of the
Bank of the Philippine
Islands–Department of
Science and Technology
Science Awards gathered
on March 16 to celebrate
the 20th year of the
country’s longest-running
science competition.
BPI–DOST science competition’s top three Best
Project of the Year awardees give interviews to major
TV networks. (From left) Second runner-up Marvin
Masalunga of UP Diliman, Best Project of the Year winner
Mikhail Solon of UP Diliman, and first runner-up Stephen
Michael Co of Ateneo de Manila University
Organized in 1989 by BPI
Foundation Inc. and DOST,
the competition recognizes
exceptional science and
engineering students from the
program’s partner universities
nationwide.
“We are grateful for the award
because it is an affirmation of our
hard work as mathematicians, scientists, and engineers,” said 1990 awardee Nina Rojas,
who now heads the chemistry department of the Ateneo de Manila University.
Science Education Institute director Esther Ogena, Philippine Science High School system
executive director Filma Brawner, and top university officials attended the event.
Titled A Triple Celebration, the event coincided with the formal awarding ceremony of
the winners of the 2009 BPI–DOST Best Project of the Year. During the event, BPI also
launched the book, Appreciating Art Through the BPI Art Collection: A Teacher’s Guide.
The book serves as accompaniment to Herencia: A Legacy of Art and Progress, which
contains in-depth reviews of nearly 1,000 important works of art that BPI has accumulated
in the course of its mergers and acquisitions.
Copies of the guidebook will be donated to BPI Foundation’s partner universities and schools
as part of its commitment to promote the teaching and appreciation of art history among
Filipino students.
Former Manila Water president Antonino Aquino explains the
advantages of Manila Water’s new plans to cushion the impact
of tariff increases during a public consultation in Quezon City
Hatching a
Brand-New
Way to Save
In life everything is unpredictable, thus the saying “Don’t count your chickens
until the eggs have hatched.” But what if there is a guarantee, a promise, a
commitment? Can you start counting?
The new BPI Maxi-Saver Savings Account gives you guaranteed higher interest rates
vs. regular savings. It gives you a one percent bonus interest every year if you make
no withdrawals within a month and gives you access to your savings account any
time, anywhere.
BPI Maxi-Saver is a savings account that offers you bigger earnings without having
your funds locked up. There are no maturity dates to wait for or pre-termination
fees to think about. With BPI Maxi-Saver, you can enjoy bigger earnings while
benefiting from easy access to your savings account using BPI’s 24/7 banking
channels. You may also choose the traditional option of having a passbook to
monitor your account.
BPI Maxi-Saver is now offered in all branches of BPI and BPI Family Savings Bank.
Maximize your savings, and open a BPI Maxi-Saver savings account now.
Advertorial
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 13, Number 2, March-April 2009
Ayala starts the year reaping awards
continued from p.4
Ayala Corporation and Ayala Land Inc., the first listed corporate issuers on the Philippine
Dealing and Exchange Corporation, also received special citations from the PDS Group.
Ayala Malls Group VP and COO
Rowena Tomeldan (middle)
receives the ICSC Maxi Silver trophy
from ICSC senior staff VP and
chief global marketing officer Jay
Starr (left) and senior manager of
professional recognition JoAnn Laut
The PDS Group Awards 2008 was attended by key regulators of the securities industry,
including Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor Amando Tetangco Jr. and Securities and
Exchange Commission chair Fe Barin.
The Asian Banker also recognized BPI at its Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards
held on March 19. The bank was recognized as the best retail bank in the Philippines in 2008
for delivering outstanding performance in the midst of the global financial crisis.
Ayala Now, the Ayala group’s official publication, was also given an Anvil Award of Merit
under the internal publications category.
Globe’s CSR programs score big
Globe Telecom Inc.’s flagship CSR program Bridging Communities (Globe BridgeCom)
garnered honors from local and international organizations for its commitment to
transforming and enriching the lives of Filipinos.
The ICSC MAXI Awards Program is an international marketing competition that
recognizes excellence in shopping center marketing. MAXI Awards are given every year
to shopping centers and companies that have designed and implemented the most
successful marketing programs during the previous year.
Globe BridgeCom won the gold award for best community program and the bronze
award for best workplace practices in the recently concluded Global CSR Awards held on
January 14 in Singapore.
The annual Anvil Awards is organized by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines.
The Global CSR Awards was organized by Singapore-based Pinnacle Group International
in cooperation with the Institute of Public Relations of Singapore, The Business Times, and
the Singapore Environment Council. The event recognized and honored companies for
their outstanding, innovative, and world-class products, services, projects, and programs
implemented in 2007 and 2008. CSR practitioners and experts from around the world
attended the event.
Ayala garners awards at Honda, Isuzu dealers’ conventions
Globe BridgeCom also bagged the Anvil Award of Excellence under the responsible
citizenship category, while Globe’s Disaster Response Program won an Anvil Award of
Excellence under the disaster and risk management category. Globe’s Internet in Schools
Program won an Anvil Award of Merit in the education category, and Globe BridgeCom’s
Employee Volunteerism program received a plaque of recognition.
(Standing, from left)
Employee programs
head Jose Wilson
Caisip, community
relations team
representative Victor
Chan, community
relations head Jeffrey
Tarayao, and public
relations deputy head
Andy Bengzon and
(seated, from left)
Pia Bernal and Apple
Evangelista proudly
show their trophies
after receiving the
Anvil awards on
behalf of Globe
Honda Cars Makati Inc. (HCMI) and Honda Cars Cebu Inc. took the spotlight for earning 18
awards across several categories at the 2009 Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) Dealers
Convention held at the Manila Ocean Park on February 6.
Isuzu Automotive Dealership Inc. (IADI) and its sales force also reaped awards at the
Isuzu Philippines Corporation Dealership Conference on February 20 in Pasay City.
Honda Cars Global City, HCMI’s newest branch, was first runner-up for the Dealer of
the Year Award, while Honda Cars Alabang was cited as Dealer of the Year Achiever for
meeting the requirements of DOYA.
Isuzu Mandaue sales executive team is SE Team of
the Year winner at the Isuzu Philippines Corporation
Dealership Conference
Honda Cars Alabang grabbed the Top in Sales and Dealer Sales awards, and Honda
Cars Global City was first runner-up for the Metro Manila area. Honda Cars Alabang was
also among the recipients of the Sales Achievement Special Award, which is given to
dealers that surpassed targets for the year. Honda Cars Cebu Inc., meanwhile, bagged
the Honda Insurance Dealer of the Year award for the provincial category.
Recognitions for AMG, Ayala Now
For the Customer Relations Incentive Program, Honda Cars Global City grabbed first
place, while Honda Cars Shaw was declared third placer for the Metro Manila area.
Honda Cars Mandaue won third place in the provincial category.
The Ayala Malls Group won the International Council of Shopping Centers Silver MAXI
Award for marketing excellence for Bravo Filipino. The award was presented on April 1
at the Fusion Conference in Hollywood, Florida. AMG also won Anvil Awards of Merit
for Bravo Filipino and the Market! Market! tarpaulin bags at the 44th Anvil Awards.
The annual Honda Dealers Convention organized by HCPI recognizes the achievements
of Honda dealerships across the country based on performance in sales, service, parts,
customer relations, and finance.
Bravo Filipino was a four-month series of events that celebrated Filipino culture and
creativity. It was conceptualized by Jaime Zobel de Ayala with Ayala Malls and Filipinas
Heritage Library. Market! Market! was cited in the community engagement category
for responsibly recycling tarpaulin posters and converting them into bags. The tarp
bags were crafted by residents of urban poor communities and a center for physically
challenged people in cooperation with Gifts and Graces Fair Foundation.
IADI, meanwhile, was a runner up for the Dealer of the Year award at the IPC Dealers’
Conference. Isuzu Pasig won Best Service Operations in Metro Manila, while Isuzu
Alabang won in the Best Parts Operations category.
Isuzu Mandaue’s sales executive (SE) team was hailed as the winner of the SE Team
of the Year award. After emerging as the top dealerships in their respective categories
during the elimination round, Isuzu Mandaue and Isuzu Pasig bested the pack in the final
round by placing first and third, respectively.
10
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 13, Number 2, March-April 2009
ALI vice presidents Arturo Corpuz and Joselito
Luna flank Honda general manager Ramon
Zialcita
Guillermo Luchangco
Ballet Philippines dancers
Alfonso Javier Reyes, Luis Juan Oreta,
and Wilfrido Atienza
Lorenzo Tugcay and
Melencio Bustamante
Beatriz Zobel de Ayala and Javier Nepomuceno
FZA and retired Ayala treasurer
Manuel Bengson
Edith Lopez, Norma Ramos,
Sheila Tan, Cecilia Milaor, Arlene
Montero, Michelle Valbuena, and
Melody Trinidad of the Legal and
Compliance team
Jose Bernarte Jr., Herminia Lopez,
Isagani de Castro
and Remedios Wingco
Aristón Estrada Jr. and Xavier Loinaz
ALI senior vice president
Emilio Tumbocon and BPI
executive vice president
Adelbert Legasto
Ayala CFO Rufino Luis Manotok and
Hiroshi Shimizu
Honda’s Mar Enc
and HRMall gene
Maria Angela Ra
JZA with daughters Patricia
Halffter and Monica Pla
Cecilia Conti, Teresita Villacorta, and
Nina Aquino
FZA with the Human Resources team:
Maria Josefa Medina, John Philip Orbeta,
Aileene Fernandez, Felicia Carvajal,
Christopher Edward Sandoval, and Ma.
Cecilia Yambao
Innove president Gil Genio, BPI president
Aurelio Montinola III, ALI senior vice
president Ma. Victoria Añonuevo, and
Globe president Ernest Cu
Ayala chief executives Arthur Tan,
Aurelio Montinola III, and
Charles Cosgrove
BPI Family Savin
Salcedo, Ayala m
BPI Capital presi
and Ayala manco
Officers of the Ayala Automotive group and CFO Jenara Rosanna Ong
Renato Marzan and Ramon Opulencia
Gerardo Favila
Edith Nolledo
AFI directors Dr.
Ramon Miranda and
Wilma Zapata
JAZA with Hirosh
Inami of Mitsubis
Sonoma general manager Estrella
Mariano and BPI senior vice president
Natividad Alejo
Jose Facundo and JZA
JZA and JAZA with retirees Teodora Hernaez,
Esperanza Galvez, and Judith Javellana
Ayala managing director
Ricardo Jacinto
Manila Water board
director Hiromu Nishimura
and Ruel Maranan
IMI board director Rafael
Romualdez and LiveIT
CEO Alfredo Ayala
Patricia Zobel-H
Catherine Zobel,
JAZA with Lee Han Kheng and Chang
York Chye of Singapore Telecom
JZA greets O.V.
Timothy Patterson and
Michael Hansson of IMI
Members of the Zobel family and Javier Nepomuceno read the 175th anniversary
magazine, Ayala at 175
ALI senior vice presidents Bernard Vincent Dy, Rex
Ma. Mendoza, Emilio Tumbocon, and ASTI president
Erwin Locsin
Isuzu general manager Rene
Paningbatan and Isuzu Philippines
president Keiji Takeda
Globe board direct
ALI board director F
vice president Adel
11
Ayala celebrates
175 years
Ayala Corporation celebrated its 175th anniversary
with two special events held at the Ayala Museum.
On March 10, Ayala employees and retirees
gathered for a thanksgiving mass and a brief
program keynoted by chairman emeritus Jaime
Zobel de Ayala and chairman Jaime Augusto
Zobel de Ayala. On April 1, boards of directors
and management committees of Ayala companies
celebrated this milestone in a simple dinner.
Guests in both occasions viewed exhibits of the
company’s historical timeline and watched a
video presentation celebrating the rich heritage,
pioneering efforts, and enduring partnerships that
have helped shape Ayala.
A special anniversary issue of Ayala Now and the
Ayala at 175 magazine were also published in time
for the two events. A sculpture especially created
by JZA was presented to key officers and partners
of the Ayala group.
Alfredo Ayala, Erwin Locsin, Gerardo Ablaza, Jr., Jaime Ayala, Ernest Cu, and Gil Genio
Francisco Ferrer, Robert Taberrah, Jr.,
Francisco Chua Chiaco, and Vicente Ayllon
Chairman emeritus Jaime Zobel de Ayala
welcomes employees and retirees
Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala cites critical turning
points in Ayala’s history
BPI board
director Gil
Buenaventura
and Ayala
independent
director Xavier
Loinaz
April Bernal, Josephine Quintos, Eden Relova, and
Sherisa Nuesa
carnacion
Ayala independent director
eral manager Meneleo Carlos Jr. and
apadas
Aristón Estrada Jr.
Ayala Aviation
general manager
Carlos Reyes and IMI
mancom member
Emmanuel Barcelon
IMI board directors Ceferino Follosco (left) and Filemon Berba Jr.
(third from left), BPI board director Lila Bautista, and AFI executive
vice president Guillermo Luz
Caroline Marie Guamen, Janella Siena, Maureen
Barreiro, Eliezer Tanlapco, and Emily de Lara
ngs Bank president Alfonso
managing director Rufino Melo III,
ident Jose Teodoro Limcaoco,
om member John Eric Francia
Rogelio Abanilla, Redentor Tapispisan,
Santos Rancudo, and Margarita Ilagan
Peter Yu, Belinda Ortega, and Susan Bables of Accounting
ALI president Antonino Aquino, AFI director Mario
Deriquito, Manila Water’s Ruel Maranan, board
director Hiromu Nishimura, and Virgilio Rivera
Junie Jalandoni and
Charles Cosgrove
hi Nashimoto and Toshifumi
shi
FZA and JZA with Adolfo Duarte, Manuel
Bengson, and Ramon Madrid
Halffter, Beatriz Susana Zobel,
, Elizabeth Zobel
Ayala group HR heads: John Philip Orbeta, Lourdes Orosa,
Ma. Teresa Ruiz, and Elisa Villanueva
JZA greets Antonio Laurel and Filemon Berba Jr.
Rene Almendras and
Sheila Marie Tan
AC Capital CEO
Delfin Lazaro
Espiritu
tor Ambassador Jesus Tambunting,
Francis Estrada, and BPI executive
lbert Legasto
Rodrigo Naguiat
BPI and Manila Water board
director Oscar Reyes, and
ALI CFO Jaime Ysmael
Ofelia Rojas and
Herminia Jacinto
Patxi Elizalde
FZA with Manila Water officers then and now:
Virgilio Rivera, Alberto Jugo, Antonino Aquino,
and Filemon Berba Jr.
BPI executive vice president
Antonio Paner and Ayala treasurer
Ramon Opulencia
Alexander Cordero of Audit and
James Villarin of Treasury
Francisco Licuanan and Fidel Alfonso
Former Ayala
HR group head
Ramon Medina
browses through
the special
anniversary issue
of Ayala Now
Zobels with Roger Mina, Aida Mendoza, and Simon Mossesgeld
12
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 13, Number 2, March-April 2009
BPI Family Savings Bank holds
first nationwide Auto Madness
The outlook on the automotive industry remains upbeat as BPI Family Savings Bank launches its
first nationwide Auto Madness. The event, intended to help boost the auto industry and to serve
more customers, was held on March 12 to 15 in 10 locations.
Auto Madness gathered major car brands under one
roof and offered Auto Madness rates through the BFSB
Drive Your Dream Auto Loan. This was the first time
that Auto Madness was simultaneously held in several
locations across the country.
Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the
Philippines Inc. president Elizabeth Lee said the
auto industry ended with record high sales of over
124,000 units in 2008—the highest since the Asian
financial crisis. This translated to a growth of six percent.
“Our local outlook in 2009 remains positive. We
forecast a modest growth of two to four percent,”
Lee added.
Department of Transportation and Communication
undersecretary Anneli Lontoc said that the government
is implementing programs to further strengthen and
stimulate the economy, including carrying out policy
reforms and building transport infrastructures needed
for local trade.
(From left) BPI president Aurelio Montinola III,
DOTC undersecretary Anneli Lontoc, CAMPI
president Elizabeth Lee, and BPI Family
Savings Bank president Alfonso Salcedo Jr.
attend the launch of BFSB Auto Madness
Emphasizing the importance of the partnerships,
BPI president Aurelio Montinola III expressed his
appreciation for the participation of DOTC and
CAMPI in Auto Madness.
The BFSB Auto Madness also promoted road safety
and responsible driving. Free safe-driving seminars
were conducted by the Honda Safety Driving Center at
the Glorietta Activity Center during the event.
Ayala Land holds Nuvali media launch
Ayala Land Inc. formally introduced Nuvali to the media on April 20. The company also inaugurated
EvoLiving Center, Nuvali’s sustainability hub.
The event started with a thanksgiving mass attended by ALI chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala, ALI president Antonino
Aquino, and Ayala managing director Edith Nolledo. Representatives of the Nuvali team and various ALI business units,
project partners, and associates, as well as the local government executives of Laguna, including governor Teresita Lazaro,
and Philippine Economic Zone Authority director general Lilia de Lima attended the event.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony at the EvoLiving Center
was held afterwards, and a tour of the building
immediately followed. The EvoLiving Center, made
of environment-friendly materials and maintained
through “green” practices such as heat insulation
and water recycling, serves as a testament to ALI’s
dedication to developing a residential and commercial
hub that supports a sustainable lifestyle.
ALI executive vice president Vince Tan, in his opening
remarks, said: “When ALI reached an agreement with
the Yulo family in the early 1990s to jointly work on
this area, we all shared a vision that this place would
be the new nerve center for the south. It was also
during this time that there was a growing awareness
of climate change and global warming, and there was
a need for humanity to step back from the excesses of
the late 20th century, if we wanted a lifestyle that could
be sustained for our children and grandchildren.”
Nuvali covers 1,700 hectares of commercial,
residential, and recreational development projects
that spans Santa Rosa and Calamba in Laguna.
(From left) ALI executive vice president and head of
planning group Vincent Tan, ALI president and CEO
Antonino Aquino, Laguna governor Teresita Lazaro,
ALI chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala, PEZA director
general Lilia de Lima, and Leandro V. Locsin Partners
Architects administrator and design consultant
Leandro Locsin Jr. lead the inauguration of ALI’s
EvoLiving Center
Globe products
complement
mobile lifestyle
Globe Telecom recently launched new and innovative
products to serve its subscribers better. The products,
Globe Pixlink and Globe Broadband Tattoo, provide reliable
value-added services that boost Globe’s reputation as a
communications company.
Globe Pixlink allows users to post photos online using their
mobile phones. Designed for people who are always on
the go, Globe Pixlink enables users to access their blogs
and websites, back up files, and share and publish media
content from their mobile phones. Once a picture or a video
is taken, Globe Pixlink categorizes the media automatically
according to date of capture. It also allows easy uploading
to a secure online account, sharing of contacts, and posting
in websites. The product’s mobile and online interfaces
allow subscribers to upload, view, and share photos, as
well as enable public media viewing, account management,
and widget publishing. Widget publishing helps users
create useful onscreen tools like weather updates, event
countdowns, and stock market watchlists.
Globe Pixlink’s media publishing feature allows users to
automatically distribute media to third-party sites. Globe
Pixlink’s supported sites include Facebook, YouTube, Flickr,
Blogger, Picasa, and G-Blogs.
Meanwhile, Globe Broadband Tattoo comes in a USB stick
that works as a modem. Users can plug the stick into their
computers or laptops to surf the Web anytime, anywhere.
Its 3G and high-speed downlink packet access technology
enable high-speed connectivity and fast downloads with
speeds of up to 2Mbps.
Globe Broadband Tattoo is available in prepaid and
postpaid plans. The prepaid kit comes with a free P100 load
that is equivalent to five hours of Internet time. Prepaid users
pay only P5 per 15 minutes on the Internet. The postpaid
plan is offered for as low as P99 every month, with 60 free
mobile Internet hours each month.
Adnan
Agboatwalla,
founder of
PixSense and
vice president
for technical
sales and
general manager
of offshore
operations, talks
about Globe’s
latest innovation
Globe CEO Ernest Cu, multimedia business group
head Minette Navarrete, and PixSense founder
Adnan Agboatwalla attend Globe Pixlink launch on
February 6
13
Marivic Rufino, Baby Girl Fricke, a guest, and Maricris Cardenas-Zobel
JZA, Mike Luz, and Carmen Luz
Sari Ortiga, Nancy Ortiga, and Arturo Luz
Arturo Luz, JZA, Zenaida Tantoco, Silvana Diaz, and Pabling Calma
Chillida #1
Homage to Eduardo Chillida
Ching Montinola, Arturo Luz, and Tessie Luz
Figura #3
Artist Nestor Vinluan with daughter and wife Lynn
Ayala Malls Group and ALI senior
vice president and group head
Marivic Añonuevo
Greenbelt Artpark unveils
Arturo Luz’s Monumental
Greenbelt ArtPark presents National Artist Arturo Luz’s new works
in Monumental, an exhibition that features several paintings and
large-scale sculptures, on extended run until May 17 at the Ayala
Museum and until June 2009 at Greenbelt.
Monumental especially showcases several large-scale abstract sculptures that
are variations on Luz’s past themes—the circus performers of the 1960s, the
taut anito figures of the early 1970s, and the origami-inspired structures of the
late 1970s.
As one of the country’s leading modernists, Luz’s works have inspired and
influenced younger artists, whose works are marked by minimalism and nonobjectivism. All the hallmarks of his artistic oeuvre—elegant linearity, seamless
design, and minimal color—are prominent in his three-dimensional work.
Greenbelt 5 has played host to various centerpiece events celebrating worldclass artistry, such as last year’s Bravo Filipino series. Monumental is envisioned
as the first in a series of public art exhibitions to be organized by Greenbelt and
Ayala Museum to make art more accessible to the public.
National Artist Arturo Luz poses beside his work, Tribal No. 5
14
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 13, Number 2, March-April 2009
Ayala employees run for a cause
Ayala employees went the extra mile on March 14 at the 2009 Ayala group fun run to raise
money for the Center of Excellence in Public Elementary Education. The goal was to raise
P175,000 for the benefit of CENTEX schools in celebration of Ayala’s 175th year.
Held at Bonifacio Global City, the Ayala group fun run had three distance categories, 1.5, 3, and 5 kilometers,
to accommodate a wide range of participants. Over 500 runners participated in the event, an increase of
over 100 percent from the previous year. The Bank of the Philippine Islands fielded 188 runners, the highest in
the group, with Globe Telecom Inc. not too far behind with 95 participants. Ayala Corporation joined forces with
eTelecare, Ayala Automotive, and Ayala Foundation Inc. to form a team of 75 runners.
Globe sets up Globe–
GK productivity center
The event’s success was due to the efforts of the Ayala Group HR Council–Labor and Employee Relations
Network. The occasion was attended by JP Orbeta and Elis Tanlapco of Ayala Corporation, former CENTEX
director Carol Atacador, CENTEX director Mon Miranda, Manila Water’s Ruel Maranan and incoming CEO
Rene Almendras, and IMI CEO Arthur Tan.
The Manila Water team performed strongly in all the distance categories, sweeping the 1.5-kilometer run for both
the male and female categories. Other strong finishers were BPI, Ayala Land, IMI, and Ayala Corporation. Winners
in each of the three categories received medals, while all participants received a souvenir shirt.
Meanwhile, on March 22 Ayala Foundation joined the Condura Run to Save the Whale Sharks, also held at
Bonifacio Global City.
More than 500
runners joined the
Ayala group fun run at
Bonifacio Global City
GK executive director Tony
Meloto (top row, far left) visits the
Globe–GK productivity center in
Bacolod City
Ayala runners participated in
three distance categories.
In photo are (from left) BPI
Capital Corporation president
TG Limcaoco, IMI president Art
Tan, 3 km distance first placer
Rafael Ricote of BPI, second
placer Hermie Alonte of MWC,
Manila Water president Rene
Almendras, and third placer
Felipe Paulo of MWC
(From left) Globe’s Michelle Ferriols,
Ayala employee and services director Elis
Tanlapco, former CENTEX director Carol
Atacador, managing director JP Orbeta,
and CENTEX director Mon Miranda root
for the participants during the fun run at
Bonifacio Global City
Globe set up the Globe Telecom–Gawad
Kalinga Productivity Center and Farming
Institute as part of a sustainability program
for the GK–ERH Village in Barangay Sum-ag,
Bacolod City. Through Globe’s corporate
social responsibility program Globe Bridging
Communities (Globe BridgeCom), the
center has provided relevant livelihood
training seminars in such areas as hospitality
management, food service, and basic culinary
skills to Kapitbahayan volunteers. These
volunteers are made up of residents who took
the Globe–GK productivity training and now
operate the facility.
The Globe–GK productivity center invited experts in
agricultural development and economics to share their
knowledge and expertise. Aside from demo farms, the
facility offers seminars in environment-friendly agriculture
practices in land cultivation, including organic farming
and vermicomposting. Seminars and other contributions
from the Gawad Kalinga caretaker team have provided the
residents of GK–ERH Village several income opportunities.
Gawad Kalinga has also allowed university students
from the National Institute of Education and NGEE
ANN Polytechnic School of Humanities in Singapore to
enroll in the farming institute as part of their scholastic
immersion programs.
15
Ayala Cares
Manila Water strengthens community
service, climate change programs
In line with its
commitment to integrate
social responsibility into
its business strategy,
Manila Water Company
has launched a climate
change program geared
toward the improvement
of energy consumption
and the protection of
watershed areas.
Residents of Rodriguez, Rizal, get water supply
and new water meters through the GPOBA–Manila
Water project. In photo are (from left) Rodriguez
mayor Pedro Cuerpo, congresswoman Adeline
Rodriguez, and Manila Water chief finance officer
Luis Juan Oreta
Climate change is a major
environmental concern. Its
effects are already felt in the
country with sustainability of
water supply being at risk and
pollution reaching alarming
proportions. Manila Water, as
an advocate of environmental
conservation, has taken its
environmental commitment up
a notch with the launch of its
climate change policy, the first of
its kind in the country.
Manila Water’s climate change program focuses on four
commitments—the development and implementation of
a carbon management plan, improvements in efficient
energy consumption and increased use of renewable
energy, integration of climate change into medium- and
long-term operations, and protection of watershed
areas. The company prioritizes the protection of the
environment to sustain water resources and ensure that
its operations do not adversely affect the environment.
Manila Water is currently firming up its baseline data
in a step toward measuring its own carbon footprint.
At the forefront of the company’s environmental
initiatives is wastewater management, which aims
to curb the mounting pollution of Metro Manila’s
river systems. The company is also embarking on its
first-ever waste-to-energy project at the Magallanes
Sewage Treatment Plant.
World Bank director for strategy, operations, and
sustainable development network Aart Schafer and
senior economist Charles Kenney recently visited and
inspected a newly completed project under the Global
Partnership on Output-Based Aid (GPOBA) and Tubig
Para sa Barangay program of Manila Water. The project
provided new water meters and line connections for the
Tupreia community in Taguig City.
The Manila Water–GPOBA project will also provide
water supply and new water meters to households in
Rodriguez, Rizal.
GPOBA, a multi-donor trust fund, has forged a
partnership with Manila Water to provide urban poor
communities access to basic water services through the
Tubig Para Sa Barangay program. The Manila Water–
GPOBA program has provided safe, potable water to
56,000 households.
World Bank director for strategy, operations, and
sustainable development network Aart Schafer
(background) and senior economist Charles
Kenney (foreground) inspect water meters
installed through the assistance of Manila Water
and GPOBA
Globe reaches out to
students, flood victims
Globe Telecom’s flagship corporate social
responsibility program, Globe Bridging
Communities (Globe BridgeCom), donated
school supplies to elementary school
children in Albay and relief goods to
displaced families in Mindanao.
Donation packages consisting of school bags,
notebooks, papers, pencil cases, crayons, pens, and
pencils were distributed to 450 pupils officially enrolled
in Misibis Elementary School in Tiwi, Albay. Misibis
Elementary School principal Cristita Buitizon and
the school’s faculty and PTA officers welcomed and
commended Globe’s endeavor. “Most of our students
here are underprivileged; their families don’t have the
capability to acquire most basic school requirements.
I am optimistic that this donation will inspire them to go to
school and strive, and give them hope,” Buitizon said.
Globe Telecom also donated relief goods to families
displaced by flash floods in Cagayan de Oro City and
nearby areas in Misamis Oriental. The disaster relief
operations benefited about 1,200 families affected by
the heavy rains that had assailed the area for days. Relief goods including rice, canned goods, biscuits,
and noodles were distributed to families in barangays
Canito-an, Carmen, and Iponan in Cagayan de Oro City.
Globe also gave the provincial government of Misamis
200 packs of relief goods, which were donated to the
town of Alubihid.
16
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 13, Number 2, March-April 2009
Ayala participates
in Earth Hour
AYLA launches info sessions
on voters registration
The Ayala Young Leaders Alliance, in partnership with Youth Vote Philippines (YVote), has
initiated a program called Information Session on Voters Registration, a weekly after-office
gathering that seeks to encourage the youth to register for the 2010 national elections.
Young professionals and students are asked to attend one of the sessions to get an
update on the voters registration process and to know more about choosing the right
candidates before the elections.
The proponents of the series, mostly Ayala Young Leaders Congress alumni, have
volunteered to host the sessions in offices, schools, and communities for free.
Since the Commission on Elections has moved the deadline of registration earlier from
December 15 to October 31, 2009 to prepare for automated polls, AYLA has stepped up
its campaign to make sure that all those who need to register get to do so.
A power switch-off ceremony for Earth Hour was held on March 28
at Tower One, with government officials and executives from Ayala
Land Inc. and Ayala Foundation Inc. lending their support for the
cause of environmental protection. High school students, government
employees, representatives of various NGOs, and Ayala employees
attended the event.
The program started with the opening remarks of Makati City Department of
Environmental Services head Danilo Villas and World Wildlife Fund-Philippines chair
Vince Perez. Both talked about this year’s Earth Hour goals and emphasized the
importance of the event in calling attention to the issue of climate change. After their
remarks, the Makati High School Anklung group performed a popular kundiman.
ALI corporate communications head Jorge Marco also delivered a message of
support on behalf of Ayala Land.
Makati mayor Jejomar Binay briefly addressed the crowd and led the ceremonial
switch-off. Lights were turned off at exactly 8:30 p.m. and for that one hour the guests
were treated to entertainment numbers capped by a fire-and-lights dance exhibition.
“Ayala believes that one of the ways to keep climate change from becoming a bigger
challenge is through a strong worldwide movement such as Earth Hour. It is really
about people from all walks of life coming together for one cause. It is about making
certain that we leave the coming generations with a better quality of life. Ayala is one
with the other companies and organizations in the fight against climate change,”
Ayala chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said.
The first information session was held at the Ayala Foundation office in Makati City. AYLC
alumni who are employees of Ayala Foundation hosted the gathering, which was attended
by around 30 students and young professionals including representatives of the Galing
Pilipino Movement and Youth Alliance Philippines. Students from UP Manila, Polytechnic
University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, Meralco Foundation Institute,
UERMMMC, and San Beda College also attended the session.
These info sessions are designed to discuss frequently asked questions about voters
registration such as applications, record reactivation, transfer with reactivation, and
change/correction of civil status and home address. COMELEC forms were presented
and information materials were distributed to the attendees.
The second session was held on April 22 also at the Ayala Foundation office.
Representatives from the De La Salle University student council, employees of the
Department of Energy, and members of the Kabataang Liberal ng Pilipinas attended
the gathering.
AYLA’s call to action
AYLA is one of the core convenors of YVote, which identifies itself as a consolidated force
of progressive, reform-minded youth groups that have a strong call to action to encourage
the youth to register, know more about the candidates, think critically about their choices,
and vote based on issues, not personalities.
Joseph Quesada, AYLC 2001 alumnus and program manager of AYLC, said,
“AYLA and YVote believe that the Filipino youth can form a strong block of voters.
Therefore, AYLA joins in the growing clamor to entice many young Filipinos to register
and vote.”
Ayala president Fernando Zobel de Ayala added: “The challenge that global warming
presents is something that Ayala Land hopes to address proactively. We hope to
do this by extending our support for programs that raise the bar on sustainable
development and environment protection. We hope that through Earth Hour, many
more people will realize the positive impact we can create for the Earth just by
working together.”
Based on statistics from YVote, around 34 million or 54 percent of the voting
population in 2010 will be aged 15 to 34 years old. The numbers show that the youth
vote, if harnessed well, can influence the elections in 2010. In 2007, around
6.4 million potential voters were not registered. In the 2004 presidential elections,
only 43.54 million registered voters out of the 49.25 million who had been expected to
participate in the electoral process actually voted.
Eighty APMC-managed properties that participated in the 2009 Earth Hour event
saved a total 47,085 kwh, which is equivalent to 25,634 kg of reduced CO2 emission.
This is a big jump from last year’s savings of only 1,500 kwh or 834 kg of reduced
CO2 emissions.
Starting in our own backyard
A young guest signs
up to protect the
environment during the
switch off ceremony for
Earth Hour
AYLC alumni who are employed in AFI have started a campaign for a 100 percent
turnout of AFI employees in the next polls. Survey forms were released to identify
who among the foundation’s personnel are actually registered. Information sessions
were also conducted for the employees. With top management’s unstinting
support, all employees were given a day off from their work to register in their local
COMELEC office.
A YVote Caravan
was held on April
16 and 17 at the
University of Asia
and the Pacific
17
Bulletin Board
Manila Water launches Katubig Day program
Manila Water Company has elevated its standards in customer service with the
recently launched Katubig Day program for the Metro Manila East Zone. The word
katubig has been coined to stand for Kasama sa Pangangalaga ng Tubig (partner
in protecting water resources). Manila Water believes that the protection and
preservation of water resources are shared responsibilities of the concessionaire and
the communities it serves.
Katubig Day is a company-wide initiative that encourages all employees to directly
interact with customers. The employees are first given a briefing and then sent to
preselected barangays, where they encourage customers to discuss concerns on
a variety of issues, from billing inquiries to applications for water and sanitation
services, among others.
Manila Water designed Katubig Day program as a way to directly get service
feedback from customers. The company has always focused on enhancing the
company’s relationship with its communities while constantly looking for better
ways to improve the delivery of its services within the East Zone. By veering away
from traditional surveys, Katubig enables the company to directly acquire real-time
information and ideas from its customers, and to focus on how to make service
delivery more efficient and effective.
Manila Water plans to make the Katubig Day program a quarterly event to ensure
continuous and consistent interaction with its clients.
ASJ transfers office to new
Tokyo business center
Ayala Systems Japan Inc., Ayala’s IT services and outsourcing unit in Japan, has
transferred its office to a new business center in Tokyo to seek out new strategic
partnerships with several Japanese companies.
ASJ has set up an office in Makuhari, a new business center in Chiba prefecture, which
is located between Tokyo and Narita airport, and provides such incentives as rent
subsidies. ASJ has also established a temporary office at Invest Japan Business Support
Center operated by Japan External Trade Organization in Tokyo. Besides free rent and
administrative support, JETRO also provides legal and accounting services.
ASJ intends to become a major player in offshore software development, data center
operations, and systems integration. Working in ASJ’s favor is a large number of Englishspeaking engineers and software developers in the Philippines. This advantage enables
ASJ’s Filipino engineers to transfer software systems from the United States to Japan and
help Japanese companies break into foreign markets.
Established in 2006, ASJ is Ayala Systems Technology Inc.’s first venture overseas. ASJ
has since established a reputation in software development and support service for major
manufacturers and banks. ASJ president Shigeru Koda said, “Filipino engineers and
employees value their peers and families, and that makes them similar to the Japanese,
who strive not only for their own companies but for their customers as well. I consider this
a strength in fostering mutual understanding and growing the business.”
IMI unveils new vision
The Katubig Day program encourages Manila Water employees to go out of their offices to directly
interact with customers
Ayala Land supports
Hero Foundation
Ayala Land Inc. recently reaffirmed its support to Hero
Foundation, a nonprofit organization that gives educational
assistance to orphans of Filipino soldiers who have been killed in
the line of duty. In a meeting arranged by the company, former
ALI president Jaime Ayala handed over a donation, as well as
funds that had been raised through Christmas card sales during
the holiday season. Hero Foundation officers Gen. Renato Garcia
and Brig. Gen. Roberto Manlongat received the donation on
behalf of the orphans.
The donation will provide educational stipends for the soldiers’ children. “We hope
to encourage these young people to pursue their studies and move on by assuring
them that we are here to at least subsidize their school needs,” Garcia said.
Hero Foundation was established in 1988 by Jaime Zobel de Ayala and
Gen. Renato De Villa, together with other concerned civilians, after President
Corazon Aquino made the appeal in behalf of fallen soldiers. Today, Hero
Foundation supports 1,200 military orphans in their dream for a brighter future
though education.
Integrated Microelectronics Inc. unveiled its new vision in a simple ceremony held on
March 9 at its Laguna Technopark facility. The event was simultaneously telecast to
IMI’s plants in Cavite, Cebu, Singapore, and mainland China.
IMI president and CEO Arthur Tan said, “The present crisis should not cause us to
waver in the goal we have set out to achieve. If anything, this is the time to steel our
resolve not to succumb to defeatist attitudes.”
Tan was referring to the bold new vision of IMI: “Be a US$10 billion electronics solution
provider by 2020 through empowered people and business excellence.”
“We are dedicated to delivering services that will meet the demands of our customers
so that they remain loyal to us. We are looking to become their partner of choice,” Tan
reiterated. “This brings me to an urgent message as we continue to struggle with the
effects of the global crisis, a condition over which we have little or no control: Remember
that there are things we can and do control. We can get through 2009 by working harder
and minimizing expenditures. We should be more innovative while focusing on our key
strengths like flexibility and quality and customer consciousness.”
Former Ayala Land president Jaime Ayala (left) hands over a donation from Ayala Land to
Hero Foundation officers Gen. Renato Garcia and Brig. Gen. Roberto Manlongat
18
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 13, Number 2, March-April 2009
Globe inaugurates new international
cable landing station in Cagayan
BPInoy Remittance partners with
Saudi Arabia’s Bank Albilad
Globe Telecom launched its new international cable landing station in
Ballesteros, Cagayan, the first of its kind in Cagayan Valley. The new cable
landing station is Globe’s second, after its Nasugbu, Batangas, station became
operational in 2001. Cable landing stations are where submarine power and
telecommunications cables make landfall. Landing areas are chosen based on
minimal marine traffic, strong currents, and sloping sea floors.
The Bank of the Philippine Islands’ overseas remittance business division, BPInoy
Remittance, recently signed an agreement with Bank Albilad’s remittance arm, Enjaz
Group. The partnership is set to enlarge the network of remittance services available
to Saudi Arabia–based Filipinos, who can benefit from Bank Albilad’s 88 remittance
branches all over Saudi Arabia.
Globe is the exclusive landing party in the Philippines of the TGN-Intra Asia
Cable System, a four-fiber-pair submarine cable system. The station provides
businesses operating in the Philippines with an alternative access around Asia
and a more direct route to the United States.
The Ballesteros cable landing links the Philippines to Hong Kong and
Singapore, with connectivity via the TGN Pacific network to Japan, Guam, and
the United States. The landing station is also expected to boost the country’s
competitiveness as a preferred destination for offshoring and outsourcing as
Globe will be able to meet the demands of businesses for more bandwidth in
Asia and faster connectivity.
Globe recognizes 65 Cebu schools
for sustaining Internet connectivity
Globe Telecom Inc., through Globe Bridging Communities (Globe BridgeCom),
hailed 65 public high schools in Cebu during a recognition ceremony held at the SM
City Cebu Trade Hall on February 19 to 22. The schools’ Internet connectivity was
provided by Globe via its Internet in Schools Program (ISP). ISP is one of the major
education programs of
Globe BridgeCom.
Globe commends 65 Cebu
high schools for sustaining
their Internet connections
through business initiatives.
Cebu governor Gwendolyn
Garcia (left) and high
school students try out the
high-speed connection of
Globe Broadband
The schools from
different divisions of
Cebu province—Cebu
City, Lapu-Lapu City,
Mandaue City, Talisay
City, and Toledo City—
were commended for
their commitment and
leadership in uplifting the
province’s standard of
education through the
use of information and communications technology.
Schools like Florencio Urot Memorial National High School and Tayud National High
School sustained their Internet connection by offering basic computer education
seminars to students, out-of-school youth, and professionals.
The program utilizes Globe Broadband to provide free Internet connectivity in public
high schools in the country. ISP is also Globe’s contribution to the nationwide
program Gearing Up Internet Literacy and Access for Students.
APMC obtains ISO, OHSAS certifications
Ayala Property Management Corporation renewed its commitment to quality,
environmental, health, and safety standards when it acquired ISO 9001:2000 certification
for meeting quality standards, ISO 14001:2004 certification for environmental standards,
and OHSAS 18001 for health and safety standards. The new certifications were issued
on January 19, marking the fourth consecutive year that the company has passed
certification audits and obtained the certifications.
Companies and organizations with OHSAS certification implement risk management
strategies to address changing legislation and to protect their workforce. ISO
certifications are issued to companies and organizations that implement management
systems that meet the quality, environmental, safety, efficiency, and reliability
requirements of their products and services.
APMC has also been recertified for conforming to the upgraded requirements of BS
OHSAS 18001:2007. APMC project officer Pamela Paguirigan, meanwhile, passed the
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accreditation exam. LEED professional
accreditation distinguishes professionals who can steward the LEED certification
process. LEED is a green building rating system that provides construction industry
standards in assessing the environmental sustainability of building designs.
Both parties are expecting market growth as there are an estimated
1.2 million overseas Filipinos in Saudi Arabia. Aside from its remittance
branches, Bank Albilad has 67 retail branches and 27 branches exclusive
for women.
With this partnership, BPInoy Remittance is planning to place Filipino staff in the
remittance branches of Bank Albilad to further facilitate client communication.
BPI and Bank Albilad
partner to serve overseas
Filipinos in Saudi
Arabia. Present during
the memorandum of
agreement signing are
(from left) BPI’s Teresita
Tan and CEO Aurelio
Montinola III, and Bank
Albilad’s Sami Al Rajhi
and Amanat Ali
Globe, Land Bank strengthen partnership
Globe Business and the Land Bank of the Philippines recently signed a
memorandum of agreement to utilize various Globe Business products and
services to help the bank provide quality banking services to its clients.
Globe Business and Land Bank have been working together on several projects
over the years, including the world’s first SMS-based payment for annual business
tax registration renewal and the MicroAsenso Text Service. Globe Business has
also connected a large number of Land Bank branches all over the country
using Globe’s Frame Relay Network, and has been tapped for the bank’s
videoconferencing facility. Globe also provides mobile phone services that help
strengthen the bank’s middle management.
Present during the Globe–Land
Bank contract signing are (from
left) Globe Enterprise Segments
head Jesus Romero, Globe
Business head Gil Genio, former
Globe CEO Gerry Ablaza, Land
Bank president and CEO Gilda
Pico, Land Bank Institutional
Banking and Subsidiaries sector
head SVP Cecilia Borromeo,
and Land Bank Technology
Management Group head FVP
Alan Bornas
Affinity Express launches workflow
for interactive ad production
Affinity Express Inc. announced the launch of IDEA v4.0, a workflow solution that it
developed for interactive ad production based on its own Internet-based workflow.
The workflow allows users to submit, review, and upload digital and rich media ads
produced or designed by Affinity Express.
The Internet-based IDEA workflow enables clients to select products, provide
instructions, upload attachments, and securely review orders anytime, anywhere. There
is no need to purchase, install, and maintain hardware and software. Affinity Express
is rolling out a fully tested system that streamlines and automates order submission,
instructions, approvals, and billing, which assures maximum efficiency for both the
clients and Affinity Express’ offshore production teams.
19
Bulletin Board
Ayala Systems joins ICT
and BPO exhibition
Ayala Systems Technology Inc. joined the Ninth e-Services Philippines
(ESP) Global Sourcing and Exhibition as a member of the Philippine
Software Industry Association at the SMX Convention Center on February
9 to 10. ESP provides the venue for global leaders, decision makers,
and centers of excellence in global information and communication
technologies and business process outsourcing to converge and
tackle emerging issues and trends in global IT. The event also enables
participants to connect with their IT counterparts and exchange ideas and
solutions in the global IT industry.
ASTI facilitated a presentation during a special session for the Japanese delegation entitled
PSIA: The Global Link in Your Value Chain, which sought to promote the Philippines’
software industry as the global link in Japanese companies’ value chain. The presentation
included success stories of PSIA’s member companies.
Isuzu Pasig, Manila Water
renew fleet partnership
Isuzu Pasig and Manila Water Company renewed their fleet
partnership during a contract signing ceremony held at Isuzu
Pasig on January 9. The mutually beneficial undertaking between
the two Ayala-owned companies is now on its second year.
Isuzu Pasig provides a special fleet service package to MWC that covers
preventive maintenance services and general and body repairs, including
special body conversions of fleet vehicles. Providing spare parts for Manila
Water’s fleet requirements is also part of the package. Manila Water currently
has a total of 120 Isuzu vehicles enrolled in Isuzu Pasig’s fleet services package.
With the promise of fast and high-quality service plus technical support in fleet
operations, Manila Water can expect the same excellence and efficiency in
service consistently delivered by Isuzu Pasig in the first year of their partnership.
The ESP exhibition attracts more than 200 exhibitors and 2,000 visitors every year. It is
recognized as a prestigious event in the Asia-Pacific region that gathers the brightest minds
and the best players in the fields of ICT and BPO.
Ayala Systems Technology
Services director Jun Lasco
makes a presentation
during a special session for
Japanese delegates at the eServices Philippines exhibition
Among those present at the contract signing are (from left)
fleet management manager Greg Ortiz and Manila Water
human resources and corporate services group director Ruel
Maranan, and IADI representatives headed by general manager
Rene Paningbatan, Isuzu Pasig branch manager Alex Paguio,
and Isuzu Pasig service manager Robert Salomon
Globe, Friendster tie up to
offer online money transfer
Globe Telecom, through its wholly owned subsidiary G-Xchange
Inc., has partnered with leading Internet social networking site
Friendster for online money transfer.
The online money-transfer service, a first in the industry, aims to tap Friendster’s
more than 13 million active members in the Philippines and millions of overseas
Filipinos, who may be in need of a fast, convenient, affordable, and reliable means
of sending and receiving money from family, friends, and business associates.
The money-transfer service is offered through Globe’s flagship mobile commerce
platform GCash, which transforms a mobile phone into a virtual wallet and enables
money transfers via text message.
For a minimal amount of P2.50 per transaction, a Friendster member can send
GCash to anyone in his friends list by simply viewing the profile of the intended
recipient and clicking the GCash button after specifying the amount to be sent.
To ensure the security and authenticity of the transfer, a confirmation request
is forwarded to the sender’s Globe or TM SIM, then GCash is transferred as a
text message.
Launched in 2004, GCash enables its users to send and receive money
transfers, make purchases, and pay bills through text messaging. More than
6,000 authorized partner outlets in the Philippines accept GCash.
Acentives offers exclusive
perks for Ayala employees
The Acentives program, conceptualized
by the HR Compensation and Benefits
Network (CompNet), aims to encourage
a captive market of about 50,000 Ayala
employees to patronize Ayala products
and services. Launched in November
2008, Acentives has conducted
11 roadshows and
communication
campaigns.
The Acentives program
offers various exclusive
packages and perks
from Ayala Automotives,
Ayala Land, BPI, and
other Ayala companies.
Recently, Ayala Property Management
Corporation joined the program by providing
special parking rates exclusively for Ayala
employees at the Ayala Car Park in Greenbelt
and Park Square.
Acentives’ story is marked with many firsts,
including the team-up of marketing and
HR-support to offer exclusive perks as a
means of attracting and retaining talent. It
is also the first time that all core businesses
and non-core businesses of the group are
working together to market Ayala products
and services exclusively for Ayala employees.
Acentives is the conglomerate’s first
program that promotes
awareness of Ayala
products and services
to its employees through
a series of roadshows
and communication
campaigns, and it is the
first exclusive card available
to all Ayala employees.
Since awareness of Acentives increased
among the Ayala workforce, the program
has created an impact based on a
noticeable increase in product sales,
attendance in roadshows, and in the number
of received inquiries. The program continues
to gain support as more Ayala providers
pledge their participation in the program.
20
The official publication of the Ayala group of companies Volume 13, Number 2, March-April 2009
EVENTS
Events@FHL
Events@Ayala Museum
Exhibitions
Monumental: New Works
by Arturo Luz
Ongoing until May 17, 2009
at Ayala Museum
Ongoing until June 2009
at Greenbelt Park
Rediscovering Romeo Tabuena:
the Later Work
May 23, 2009 to July 19, 2009
Ground-floor gallery
Educational programs
Digital 101: Photography and the Computer
with photo trip and exhibit
May 9–10, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
The programs will be held every Saturday at 3 p.m.
Ayala Museum lobby or classrooms 1 and 2
I AM (Ayala Museum) Art
I AM Art offers museum visitors a
variety of art activities to make their
Ayala Museum trip an enjoyable
learning experience. I AM Art is free
with museum admission. Materials
will be provided.
Select Saturdays of May, June, and
July, 3 p.m.
Ayala Museum lobby or classrooms
1 and 2
May 23, 2009 May 30, 2009 June 6, 2009 June 13, 2009 June 20, 2009 June 27, 2009 July 4, 2009 July 11, 2009 July 18, 2009 July 25, 2009 Stained glass
Paper lanterns
Pinwheels and
butterflies
Eggshell mosaic
Stenciling
Storytelling
Food art
Printmaking
Papertwine crafts
Boatmaking
Digital Photography for Young Shutterbugs
May 16, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Basic painting in watercolor
workshop
Primer on Lighting
(with more hands-on sessions)
May 23 and 24, 2009, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
May 2, 9, 16, and 23, 3 p.m.
Summer art workshop for kids
The workshop, to be facilitated by
Angono artist Aaron Bautista, will
teach kids aged eight to 13 to create
art works using a variety of media,
including clay, acrylic, oil, pastel,
pencils, and watercolor.
May 2, 9, 16, and 23, 1 p.m.
For more information, please call 757
7117 to 21, e-mail education@ayala
museum.org or visit ayalamuseum.org
Digital 101: Photography and the Computer
June 15, 17, 19, 22, and 24, 6 p.m. –9 p.m. The Alcove on the Road:
Photographing Food in Tagaytay
June 20, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. The Alcove Photography Forum:
Shooting for Documentaries
June 27, 3 p.m. –5 p.m.
For more details, please call 892 1801, send
an SMS to 0917 559 4417, e-mail salvador.jd@
ayalafoundation.org or cruz.ct@ayalafoundation.org,
or visit www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph
Our new look
Ayala Now’s new design was inspired by Ayala’s 175th
anniversary and the conglomerate’s ability to adapt to
changing times without losing track of its core values. The
design may have evolved, but the editorial team still strives
to maintain the same editorial prudence and excellence
which has made Ayala Now one of the most succesful
internal corporate publications in the country.
(Above) One of the
photography workshops
in FHL
Ayala Now’s sleeker and smaller new look is a testament to
the spirit of innovation that is well and alive within the group.
The newsletter still contains the same relevant stories that
continue to bind Ayala employees as a family, and are as
diverse and unique as Ayala’s businesses and interests.
(Right)
Arturo Luz’s Desert
Architecture
(Acrylic on Canvas)
The Editorial Team
Publisher Victoria Garchitorena
Editor-in-Chief Maritoni Ortigas
Editorial Consultant Emi de Lara
Managing Editor Alex Gregorio
Deputy Managing Editor Rose Raguindin
Assistant Editor Janella Cacdac-Siena
Graphic Designer Izza Lambino
Advertising Manager Ciela Cayton
Advertising Assistant Jennifer Bascoguin
Photographer Jaime Martinez
Correspondents
Ayala Aviation Jaime Peralta Jr.
Ayala Business Club Carole Guamen
Ayala Corporation Janella Cacdac-Siena
Ayala Foundation, Inc. Paul de Guzman
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 Marigold Endriga
Honda Cars Makati, Inc. Monina Macavinta
HRMall, Inc. Gabby Mejia
Integrated Microelectronics, Inc. Fred Blancas
Isuzu Automotive Dealership, Inc. Monette Gaela
Manila Water Company Carla May Beriña-Kim
Timezone Ana Cardenas-Benitez
Editorial Office
Filipinas Heritage Library
Makati Avenue, Ayala Triangle
Makati City 1224, Philippines
Telephone (632) 892-1801 local 14
Facsimile (632) 892-1810
Email AyalaNow@filipinaslibrary.org.ph
URL www.ayala.com.ph/ayalanow