Vivienne Tan appointed OIC, Bautista retires

MANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines yesterday announced the appointment of its executive vice president Vivienne Tan as PAL officer-in-charge following the retirement of PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista.

In a statement, PAL said its chairman and chief executive officer Lucio Tan and the airline’s board of directors have accepted Bautista’s retirement after he expressed his desire to spend more time with his family.

PAL expressed its gratitude to Bautista for his many years of dedicated service to the flag carrier.

“As this is the beginning of JJB’s retirement life with his family, let it also be the beginning of even greater dreams for PAL and all PALers. On behalf of my father, I am asking all of you to continue working towards our goals. I am personally committed to working with all of you hand in hand and build on what we have already accomplished,” Tan said in her message to PAL employees.

With the development, PAL assured its customers, business partners and employees that it’s “business as usual” for the flag carrier.

All flights and services are proceeding as scheduled, the company said.

“For seamless transition, all official communication and concerns requiring the attention and/or approval of the PAL president shall henceforth be addressed to Ms. Tan,” the airline said.

A US-educated daughter of taipan Lucio Tan, Vivienne has more than 25 years of professional experience in technology, education, entrepreneurship and social advocacy in industries such as education, airline and property development.

Aside from PAL, she also sits as board member of Tan holding firm

LT Group Inc., Philippine National Bank, Eton Properties, Dynamic Holdings, University of the East and UERMMMC.

PAL said she is no stranger to the inner workings of the airline, having worked for the company in various capacities since 2011.

She later moved to other positions in the LT Group mainly in the real estate, banking and education sectors.

Tan holds a double degree in mathematics and computer science from the University of San Francisco, as well as a postgraduate Diploma in Fashion Design and Manufacturing Management from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles.

In 2006, she received the Ten Outstanding Young Men Award for Business Education and Entrepreneurship and was also conferred the UNESCO Excellence in Education and Entrepreneurship Award in 2007.