The top 3 MVPs

The three Most Valuable Presidents from the MVP Group of Companies have been selected, and they are – Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company/Smart Telecommunications Inc. president and CEO Napoleon “Poly” Nazareno, Meralco president Oscar Reyes and TV5 president and CEO Noel Lorenzana. Aside from being the most highly compensated executives, they are considered to be the most valuable in their respective capacities as top CEOs. They richly deserve to be recognized as the top “MVPs” of the MVP Group.

For over a decade now, Poly Nazareno has been at the helm of PLDT, the country’s largest and most diversified telecoms company that serves more than 70 million mobile and Internet customers in the region. Earlier this year, Nazareno was nominated as CEO of the Year by two international award-giving bodies – the Telecom Asia Awards and the Asia Communication Awards – for his distinct contributions to the telecoms industry. No one will argue that PLDT, whose net profit for the first half of 2015 stood at P18.7 billion with a consolidated core net income of P18.9 billion, is the most valuable telecoms company with a market capitalization of over P560 billion – giving it a solid financial and leading market position.

Earlier, PLDT announced it was raising its capital expenditures to P43 billion – up from P39 billion – for infrastructure upgrades meant to improve network and data connectivity. As Poly stated in his message to stakeholders, “In PLDT, if it ain’t broke, we make it better. Just as we strive to make our products and services better than ever, we also strive with even greater enthusiasm to continuously uplift our management and governance practices.”

Nazareno, who obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of San Carlos in Cebu, has a wide experience that spans over three decades as a business executive for a wide range of industries that include packaging, bottling, petrochemicals, real estate, aside from of course, telecommunications and information technology.

Oscar Reyes, last year’s Best CEO for Investor Relations awardee by Corporate Governance Asia, is at the helm of Meralco, the country’s biggest power distribution company. Recognized as the most socially responsible company in Asia during the Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability awards in 2014, Meralco was cited for its innovations and the impact of such on communities, not to mention the environment-friendly practices promoted by the company as well.

Reyes, who is also the vice chairman of One Meralco Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the power distribution company, has been active in enhancing Meralco’s community electrification program that addresses a fundamental need especially in far-flung communities and which, to a major extent, powers the work of nation building. Meralco is also successfully utilizing social media (mainly Twitter and Facebook) to engage with customers, announcing updates on power interruption schedules, repairs and tips on how to maximize the use of certain appliances, something that consumers certainly appreciate. People also told me they like the fact that when they tweet or post something on Meralco’s social media accounts, they get a quick response from whoever is moderating the account.

TV5 president and CEO Noel Lorenzana, the third Most Valuable President from the MVP Group, has been quietly beefing up the viewership base of the Kapatid network through a number of partnerships. TV5, (known as the home of the Philippine Basketball Association, and has thus been instrumental in bringing the sport back to the collective Filipino consciousness) has partnered with Direct TV to widen its reach and bring content to Filipinos overseas.

Noel, who was recently honored as a visionary leader at the first Mansmith Market Masters Award, is acknowledged as an “ideas person” who has been an encouragement and inspiration to young people to become innovative entrepreneurs and outstanding brand builders. TV5 may be relatively young compared to the other bigger and more established networks, but it is emerging as a serious contender, with popular series from abroad being brought in while homegrown shows are also being developed.

Incidentally, we’re told the combined TV5/Aksyon TV ratings for the recent FIBA Asia games got a 26.2 percent audience share, beating powerhouses Pinoy Big Brother and Boy Abunda of ABS-CBN, and GMA’s My Faithful Husband and Legendary Women. No doubt the championship game between China and the Philippines also saw ratings zooming up for TV5/Aksyon TV with Filipinos’ hearts going for the Gilas squad who had to contend with all sorts of “delaying tactics” (like e-bus glitches, no tickets for coaches, etc.) before they faced the team from host country China.

Manny Pangilinan has a blue chip team of individuals at the helm of companies under the MVP group. Poly Nazareno, Oscar Reyes and Noel Lorenzana certainly deserve to be called the “MVPs of the Year.”

Tireless and popular in Japan: Ambassador Manolo Lopez

I was told by several of our Filipino workers in Japan that Ambassador Manolo Lopez continues to be popular with OFWs who appreciate his sincerity in looking after their welfare. The Ambassador has a very amiable and approachable personality – which makes him perfect for his role as a diplomat. If one could recall, Lopez had just been given his appointment when a powerful earthquake followed by a tsunami, hit Japan in March 2011, triggering a nuclear disaster in Fukushima.

The Ambassador personally visited Filipinos in affected communities like Sendai, personally distributing relief goods like bottled water and blankets, meeting with them and discussing their situation to assess the kind of assistance the Filipinos needed. OFWs and expats appreciate the hard work Ambassador Lopez puts in looking after their welfare and helping strengthen relations between the Philippines and Japan. Although his earlier career path has been as a business executive of the Lopez Group of Companies, it is apparent his affable personality and his people skills make him perfect as an ambassador. Manolo should continue his career as our diplomat par excellence.

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