Business economics

The vibrant Makati skyline served as backdrop for the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) welcome party held at the sophisticated Sky Garden of Zuellig Building, the only building in the country with a 1,000 square meter deck and garden. Hosted by the former secretary of Foreign Affairs and McLarty Associates Board of Counsellors member Roberto Romulo and Bridgebury Realty Corporation director Daniel Zuellig, the event was  well-attended by noted personalities from the government, business and diplomatic sectors. ABAC was established in 1995 by Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders to ensure that there would be a business voice in APEC meetings. Three business leaders from each member country are appointed by the respective 21 APEC leaders; for the Philippines, the members are: Doris Magsaysay Ho, president and CEO of A Magsaysay Inc.; Tony Tan Caktiong, chairman and CEO of Jollibee Foods Corporation; Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chairman and CEO of Ayala Corporation. Kudos to Roberto and Daniel for organizing this meaningful event!

Gigi named ‘Management Man of the Year’

The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) has conferred the “MAP Management Man of the Year 2012” award on Bank of the Philippine Islands president and chief executive officer Aurelio ‘Gigi’ Montinola III. Montinola was chosen for his outstanding stewardship of BPI as a highly successful organization and a socially responsible corporate citizen, and for setting an example for Filipino professional managers through a track record of unblemished integrity, professional competence and strong leadership in his banking career.  The distinction of “MAP Management Man of the Year” has only been conferred 36 times in the 45-year history of the award.  Congratulations to Gigi and more power to the MAP!