As a U.S. military retiree, Dale Daniel was keen on looking for a place to settle down in the Philippines. He and his wife Maristela moved to Ubay, Bohol in 2012 and started a backyard farm of their own in 2014.
ABC Stories
ABC Stories
SWAG Talks Success Through the Eyes of Happiness
According to LinkedIn, success is the status of having achieved and accomplished an aim or objective. Beyond words, what does success truly mean? Is it the amount of money in your bank account or the feeling of being able to provide? Is it your position title or is it the number of people you inspire? Each one of us can have our own meaning of success, but what is the secret behind finding success through the eyes of happiness?
Cover Story
Integrity And Purpose: Annacel Natividad, 2019 DRAAE Winner
For the past two decades, the Don Ramon Aboitiz Award of Excellence has symbolized the timeless Aboitiz values and ideals by honoring the Aboitiz team members who keep them alive. On its 21st year, the highest and most distinguished recognition for an Aboitiz team member or team leader goes to Annacel Natividad, AEV First Vice President & Chief Risk Officer.
ABC Stories
A-Clubs in Focus: Bowl for a Cause: A-Bowlers strike for inter-BU Bowling Tournament
A-Bowlers strike once again! As they say, bowling is fun if you are playing with your close friends and colleagues, but, this time, A-Bowlers did it with an additional spin on the ball – bowling for a cause.
Foundation
Aboitiz, DepEd, and PBEd partner to make work immersion more accessible to students
Senior high school (SHS) students, specifically Grades 11 and 12, will now have an opportunity to have a glimpse of the workforce life through a work immersion program by the Aboitiz Foundation in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Philippine Business for Education (PBEd).
Food
Pilmico holds agri expo in Pagadian to support local farmers
Paving the way for local farmers to learn about starting an agribusiness, the Pilmico Agri Food and Livelihood Expo was held last September 24 at the Provincial Government Center – Farmer’s Haven in Pagadian City with a vision rooted in the potential of backyard farming as a viable and sustainable source of income for families and communities in rural areas.
Food
Future agri leaders and innovators at the Pilmico Congress 2019
For its fifth year, the Pilmico Congress has repositioned itself not only as a learning and development opportunity for scholars, but a celebration of the coming together of brilliant minds at work in pursuit of agricultural innovation.
Other CSR
My GoBeyond Art-vocacy for Angono Artists
UnionBank’s award-winning GoBeyond Communities program encourages UnionBankers to promote our personal advocacies to gain greater support from fellow team members. As someone who hails from the “art capital of the Philippines”, Angono, Rizal, I have always wanted to promote our local painters. This led to the idea of organizing a fundraising art exhibit called’A heART U Share’ at the UnionBank Plaza.
Foundation
Young Robotics Enthusiasts Train As ‘Kabataan Inyovators’
The Aboitiz Group reinforced its long-standing support for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in the country as it launched the ‘Kabataan Inyovator: An Aboitiz Robotics Competition’ — an initiative that aims to support the country’s young scientists, starting with the Davao leg.
Food
Pilmico reaches out to Bohol farmers through agri expo
Backyard farmers and aspiring agri-entrepreneurs were given the opportunity to learn about starting and sustaining their business with the Pilmico Agri and Livelihood Expo held last August 10 in Ubay, Bohol.
Corporate Center
Functional Development Clusters Hold Recognition Day
Last August 16 marked the culmination of all the hard work put in by participants in the year-long learning journey as part of the Functional Development Cluster program. Functional Development Clusters were established in 2017 to prepare the Aboitiz Group’s collective pool of talents for future roles in the organization.
ABC Stories
Championing a Winning Culture: The AEV Local Team Awards
Aboitiz has been known to be a values-driven organization that prides itself on honing talents that exude service excellence and creating a work culture that puts importance on having different perspectives and ideas from our team members.
ABC Stories
Likhaan Rediscovers Baybayin
Alibata or Baybayin? What do we really call the pre-colonial writing system used by the Tagalog? Understanding our history as a people yields a greater appreciation of arts including our writing system.
Power
SM Prime Partners With AboitizPower
SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime), one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, has chosen AboitizPower to supply 15 of its facilities with reliable and cost-effective power.
ABC Stories
Playing our way to disaster awareness in Batangas
KiDisaster 2019 is a collaborative CSR initiative among Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Republic Cement, Aboitiz Foundation, and WeatherPhilippines Foundation that sought to bring disaster awareness and resilience knowledge to students of San Jose Sico Elementary School in Batangas City, one fun-filled activity at a time!
ABC Stories
Stitching our way back, still ‘Sew Very Happy’
We are “sew” back! Looking ahead on a new year, the Sew Very Happy Club renewed their A-Club recognition carrying rejuvenated energy to execute amazing and exciting projects for A-People!
ABC Stories
Not all heroes wear capes: Super A-Mom 2019!
There is one superpower that is inborn and natural to the people who carried us for nine months, or even the people who embraced and defended you from all the monsters under your bed: a mother’s love. That makes them special.
ABC Stories
It’s “Bongga” to be a PETNET mom
It was a day of relaxation and pampering specially dedicated to all PETNET mothers as the company celebrated Mother’s Day last May 10 at the PETNET Head Office with the theme “Bongga ka Mom!”
WPF
Visayas State University, WeatherPhilippines lead weather and climate youth education
Visayas State University and WeatherPhilippines Foundation aimed to widen the awareness of weather-related disaster preparedness and resilience among students and faculty.
Infrastructure
Republic Cement mobile lab enables complex onsite solution testing
FLOW is a mini-truck with a pull-canopy converted into a laboratory and furnished with equipment and apparatus that can handle complex onsite solution testing activities.
ABC Stories
Ready to strike, A-Bowlers have arrived!
Taking-off from where the Avengers’ story has ended, ours has just begun! With the A-Club Program back on its second year, the A-Bowlers is one of the newest clubs that were recognized under the program. Guided by the A-People’s interest and passion in the sport of bowling, they were able to converge and form a new family outside their usual working parameters.
Corporate Center
Aboitiz landmark endowment to help AIM raise future-proof leaders
The Aboitiz Group, through Aboitiz Foundation, made a historic donation of over half-a-billion pesos ($10 million) to the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Scientific Research Foundation to help address the demand for skills and talent in data science and innovation in the country as well as the region.
Infrastructure
Apo Agua’s Q1 updates for bulk water supply project
Works are underway for Part A of Apo Agua’s Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project, which involves the construction of intake facilities, a water treatment facility, and treated water pipelines.
Sustainability
More Luzon UnionBank branches receive LEED Gold Certification
UnionBank’s McKinley West (Taguig City) and Legazpi City (Albay) branches have received their LEED Gold Certification under the LEED v4 Interior Design + Construction standards for retail buildings, which brings the bank’s total number of LEED-certified branches to 10 in Luzon.
Banking and Financial Services
PETNET ramps up Learning and Development initiatives
With its 3E Theme of Empower, Enable and Engage, PETNET’s Human Resources Department (HRD) launched its major Learning and Development initiatives for 2019 during the company’s Town Hall and Employee Recognition held on March 22.
Sustainability
Apo Agua team members at Tamugan watershed
Various initiatives are being carried out for the protection and conservation of the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed. The area is especially critical as it where Davao City’s water supply will be sourced through the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP).
Power
Lessons from a career woMOM
All too often, we approach the question of career or family as black and white: either you work full-time or you become a stay-at-home mom. AP Gen’s CFO, Racquel Bustamante, however, chose to break this traditional divide.
Food
Pilmico and DAR renew sustainable agri-livelihood project that empowers PH farmers
More farmers will soon benefit from a renewed public-private partnership project between Pilmico and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) that aims to promote sustainable agri-livelihood in the country.
Banking and Financial Services
The country’s first virtual currency ATM is here
“This is a further testament that banks are now acting like a fintech firm. This launch blurs the line more and we see this move for banks to change the landscape of the world of finance.”
Foundation
Aboitiz Foundation supports 20 tech-voc scholars
A total of 20 technical-vocational (tech-voc) scholars are guaranteed full support for their education through a partnership between the Aboitiz Foundation and Dualtech Training Center in Calamba City in Laguna.
Banking and Financial Services
Improved services via PERA HUB mobile app and Visa prepaid card
Customers can now enjoy PERA HUB services at the comfort of their own homes. PERA HUB’s remittance and e-loading services are now made easier, safer, and more accessible with the new updates on the PERA HUB App and Visa Prepaid Card launched earlier this year.
Infrastructure
Republic Cement’s ‘Tahanan Ko’ boosts earnings of local enterprises
In addition to helping low-income families obtain affordable home loans, Republic Cement’s Tahanan Ko program has also been supporting the company’s over 1,000 partner retail stores in Luzon and the Visayas. A total of PHP675 million worth in revenue has been generated by the program since its inception in November 2013.
Infrastructure
Republic Cement inaugurates community farm in Bulacan
Republic Cement recently inaugurated its first agro-farm facility in its Bulacan plant, providing additional livelihood support to its host community.
ABC Stories
It runs in the blood
Giving back to the community in whatever way possible has always been in the DNA of A-People, and that includes donating blood. Aboitiz partnered with Philippine Red Cross for a bloodletting activity at the Taguig Corporate Center to contribute to the national blood requirement and help save more lives.
People & Culture
Young and in Luv
AboitizPower’s Chief Financial Officer, Liza Luv Montelibano, decided at a young age that her true passion lies in finance. Her career story reflects her sheer determination, independence, and an indomitable passion for learning.
Food
Aboitiz unveils agri science research facility in Bukidnon
Pilmico and Aboitiz Foundation have turned over a PHP9-million modern livestock training facility that aims to help boost agricultural research in the Northern Mindanao.
Foundation
Building disaster-resilient communities in Bohol
The natural and man-made disasters that have struck the island province of Bohol in recent years have highlighted the significant role of community-based disaster preparedness. Early this year, leaders of six barangays in Loboc enhanced their capabilities in this area.
Infrastructure
New technology reduces cement plant’s dust emissions by 75%
Republic Cement recently installed state-of-the-art bag filters to replace its kiln electrostatic precipitator. The bag filters act as a “sock” catching dust from its stacks before air is released into the atmosphere, thereby capturing it from the point of origin.
Sustainability
How UnionBank boosts team member wellness with LEED
With the average Filipino worker spending at least 41.4 hours weekly* in the workplace, team members’ workplace wellness becomes a business essential. At UnionBank, we recognize this need and are bringing our team members the workplace sustainability.
Corporate Center
Aboitiz underscores Filipino cultural diversity in Mindanao book
“Muslim Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago: A Current of Narratives” highlights role of cultural understanding in inclusive economic development.
Corporate Center
Love in its different forms makes Valentine’s Day special at Aboitiz
Love can be defined in various ways. Here in Aboitiz, Valentine’s is not just a day of romantic love for our A-People. It is also a day of showing gratitude and appreciation to our fellow team members and team leaders!
Food
A fish farmer’s success story
In early 2016, Leonel, owner of LJK Fish Broker, had a rough start with his business. Two years later, his success has enabled him to give back to the community. Find out more about Leonel’s journey with Pilmico, his trusted partner for growth.
WPF
So, how do we name Tropical Cyclones?
“Tropical cyclones are a fact of life. Time and again, like the ebb and flow of water, people have to adapt with its ever-changing ferocity and numbers.” In this #WeatherWiser feature, WeatherPhilippines walks us through the basics of tropical cyclone naming.
Cover Story
Aboitiz InfraCapital inks telecommunications common tower MOU with DICT
Aboitiz InfraCapital is seeking to build, operate, and maintain a network of towers throughout the Philippines in a bid to improve the connectivity of the country’s cellular network. This will likewise pave for the expansion of the capabilities of both current and future telecommunications companies.
ABC Stories
Aboitiz opens enterprise development programs for soldiers
Read more about the Aboitiz Group’s partnership with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of National Defense to provide sustainable livelihood for our retired and wounded soldiers through a camp-based enterprise, P.A.G.K.A.I.N para sa mga Bayani Livelihood Program.
Banking and Financial Services
FEATURE: Fulfilling dreams through DepEd’s Alternative Learning System
A typical morning for 19-year-old Shajhana from Concepcion, Iloilo starts with preparing breakfast for her child and husband while young people her age would be preparing for school. At 17, she’s had to set aside studies when she became a teenage mother.
Cover Story
A culture of dropping titles, breaking barriers
Hedcor, being the pioneer run-of-river hydropower operator in the Philippines, has journeyed towards “a better future” for both its business and communities. For a better future to be achieved, change is driven not only in its operations, but also within the company’s culture.
Food
FEATURE: Kutitap Feeding Program shines in Tarlac
Half a year after Pilmico’s Kutitap Feeding Program started in their schools, students of Calangitan and Manga Elementary School go through lessons with full tummies and bright minds while the local bakery supplying the bread is now a certified partner for growth.
Cover Story
DRAAE Awardee Mike Hosillos: Values Move Mountains
For Atty. Michael Hosillos, SN Aboitiz Power’s (SNAP) VP Chief Corporate Services Officer, winning the Aboitiz Group’s highest and most distinguished recognition is a testament to the work of a team dedicated to its values that live through stakeholder engagement and corporate social responsibility.
Corporate Center
Kalipay! Celebrating the joys of being an A-Person
A-People raised their glasses to congratulate the 2018 retirees and honor the winning teams of this year’s AP Team Awards and Inspired by Passion Groupwide Team Awards in a festive and joyous Christmas party, aptly called Kalipay!
Foundation
Aboitiz gives Christmas treats to Taguig children
Aboitiz team member volunteers trooped to Cayetano Sports Complex in Taguig City a few days before Christmas to bring cheer to nearly 300 kids in the area.
Banking and Financial Services
UnionBank’s Tech Up Pilipinas movement to connect 52 million unbanked Filipinos
At the 3rd Singapore Fintech Festival (SFF), the global fintech community’s biggest event, UnionBank launched its game-changing ‘TechUp Pilipinas’ initiative that aims to level the playing field, particularly, for 52.8 million unbanked Filipinos.
Foundation
Aboitiz gives relief assistance to fire-affected families in Taguig
The Aboitiz Foundation, together with the Philippine Red Cross and Taguig City local government provided assistance to 130 families displaced by a fire in Barangay Bagumbayan, Taguig City last Nov. 23, 2018
Corporate Center
EIA receives honorary doctorate from Asian Institute of Management
Aboitiz Group President and CEO Erramon Aboitiz joined a distinguished group of individuals recognized for their exemplary abilities in their respective fields as he received Honorary Doctorate Degree in Management from the Asian Institute of Management (AIM).
Cover Story
Apo Agua bulk water supply project kicks off construction
The Construction Kick-Off serves as a ceremonial start to the project’s three-year construction phase which began with engineering design works earlier this year. Apo Agua is targeting to commence operations by the first half of 2021.
Corporate Center
Bright ideas emerge from the Aboitiz Group’s first ‘Decode Tomorrow’ hackathon
The Philippines’ digital community, seen as an emerging growth sector, got a significant and innovative boost with the staging of the Aboitiz Group’s Decode Tomorrow: An Aboitiz Future Challenge. Held from November 10 to 11, gathered 800 professionals, start-ups, freelancers, and college students to a 24-hour hackathon to come up with solutions for business- and community-oriented challenges specific to Aboitiz business units.
Banking and Financial Services
UnionBank GlobalLinker flies out biz owners to Singapore SME meetup
In a bid to empower businesses that constitute 99% of Philippine establishments, UnionBank GlobalLinker flew 25 micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) to Singapore for a global networking opportunity coinciding with the Singapore Fintech Festival, which took place from November 13 to 17.
Food
Future forward at the Pilmico Congress
With the theme “Nurture the Future”, the 2018 Pilmico Congress – formerly known as PJVAC or Pilmico Jr. Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture Congress – gathered 30 top graduating students and 20 PJVAC alumni from different colleges and universities across the Philippines.
Cover Story
Aboitiz launches sustainable livelihood programs in Marawi
The Aboitiz Group launched a number of sustainable livelihood programs to help Maranaos start anew, one year after Marawi City’s liberation from the armed siege. Dubbed “Kawiyagan: Biyaya ng Pagbabago”, the program is a series of sustainable livelihood initiatives for the residents of Sagonsongan Resettlement Site, which temporarily houses thousands of displaced families. It complements the government’s efforts to help the once bustling capital of Lanao Del Sur get back on its feet.
Cover Story
General Management Development Cluster caps off first year
The Aboitiz Group’s General Management Development Cluster presented their capstone project for change and opportunity, highlighting all the concepts they learned throughout the past year in a ‘Shark Tank’-style session.
Honor Roll
UnionBank joins Circle of Excellence, Green Company of the Year
UnionBank of the Philippines was among the elite companies in the region awarded during the Asia CEO Awards 2018 held at Marriott Manila on Oct. 16, 2018.
Corporate Center
Aboitiz is Fit 4 U: The A-People Engagement Program flies to Cebu!
The Fit 4 U: A-People Engagement Program seeks to improve team member engagement by addressing their four basic human needs and Cebu team members witnessed several talks and activities that helped familiarize them with what these four needs mean to them as A-People.
Power
Promoting a culture of safety
Davao Light and Power Co. is calling for heightened safety awareness among construction workers, especially those working near the company’s distribution lines, amid the construction boom in Davao City.
ABC Stories
A-Clubs in Focus: Creating hope in the community through basketball
The A-Balleros take pride in knowing the history of the sport and everyone involved in it. Even before A-Club was launched, the members would rally to form a team that would represent in sports fests or even just for a simple friendly game after office hour. The club, in coordination and partnership with various business units, aims to have a weekly/monthly get together to play for camaraderie and fitness.
Sustainability
Volunteers troop to Cleanergy Park for International Coastal Clean-up Day
Aboitiz team members from Davao Light and Apo Agua were joined by fellow volunteers from Rotary Club of Davao, B. Carpio National High School, and Ateneo de Davao University at the shores of Aboitiz Cleanergy Park in Barangay Matina Aplaya on International Coastal Clean-up Day last September 15.
Corporate Center
10 insights on building a culture of collaboration by Prof. Sebastien Brion
For the latest installment of the Leaders Connect series, the Aboitiz Group invited Sebastien Brion, Associate Professor of Managing People in Organizations at IESE Business School in Barcelona, to talk about how leaders can best create an environment where collaboration thrives.
Infrastructure
AIC secures ‘Original Proponent Status’ for Bohol international airport
AIC’s proposal covers operations and maintenance, future development, and expansions of the New Bohol International Airport.
ABC Stories
Panelists share best practices on CSR innovation at the ABC Summit
As part of the Aboitiz ABC Summit event, invited speakers from the public and private sector took center stage for a presentation and panel discussion that revolved around the theme “Innovations That Advance Communities”.
Other CSR
CitySavings empowers teachers through financial discipline
Since it was founded back in 1965, CitySavings has been true to its founders’ vision of “helping people of moderate means”. From sari-sari store vendors to jeepney drivers or to public school teachers, the bank has helped fulfill dreams through simple financial products and straightforward banking services.
ABC Stories
AboitizPower helps students become interview-ready
Applying for a job often makes graduates feel like an adult as it marks the initial step toward their goal of joining the workforce.
WPF
Major corporations are gaining the weather edge
Weather directly affects society’s demand for goods and services. Thus, knowing the importance of weather information enables a business organization to maximize gains and mitigate risks.
ABC Stories
A-Clubs in Focus: Meet the real life superheroes of the Aboitiz Parenting Club!
Balancing work and parenting is not an easy task, especially when you are required to put multiple hats — a corporate employee, a colleague, and a parent.
ABC Stories
A-Clubs in Focus: Connecting A-People by faith
The Saved With Amazing Grace (SWAG) is one the 10 A-clubs in AEV. Today, it continues to live by its purpose which is to build a stronger community with a sense of familiarity that will bring A-people closer together and more importantly, closer to God.
Column
Into the rapids of Davao River
Apo Agua is set to build one of the country’s largest private bulk water supply facilities with the capacity to supply sourced from Tamugan River, which is a tributary of the mighty Davao River, considered the third largest river in Mindanao. Apo Agua’s own Ruby Broas, process and environmental engineer, shares her experience of the power and majesty of the Davao River from her recent whitewater rafting adventure down the famed rapids.
WPF
Building disaster-resilient communities in Mindanao
For a disaster-stricken community still reeling from the aftermath of an earthquake, a disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) training is more than just a learning session — it means the key to survival.
ABC Stories
Of rags and second chances
AboitizPower subsidiaries Visayan Electric Company (VECO) and Cebu Private Power Corp. (CPPC) join forces to help the women of Ermita in Cebu City.
Corporate Center
Learning the art of visual storytelling
The Aboitiz Group Integrated Communication Workgroup organized the Visual Storytelling Training sessions last May and June to help communication practitioners across Aboitiz business units better understand how photos can be a powerful platform to present a unified and compelling story of advancing business and communities.
Banking and Financial Services
Digital platform levels playing field for MSMEs
UnionBank introduces UnionBank GlobalLinker to further help MSMEs face complex business challenges by providing them with digital advantages normally enjoyed by big businesses.
ABC Stories
Aboitiz provides first sustainable livelihood in Marawi
As the affected residents like Noni and Jasmine cannot solely depend on government financial assistance, the Aboitiz Group sought to create sustainable forms of livelihood for them through Pilmico and Aboitiz Foundation. Pilmico also provided training for Noni, Jasmine, and their fellow Marawi residents on how to bake and manage a bakery. It will also monitor the progress of the bakery business.
ABC Stories
A-Clubs in Focus: Musik-A’s Cause for Melodies
The sound of a live band playing as the crowd sings and cheers…in the office. This was definitely not your usual Friday night scene but the lively festivities were matched only by a genuine warmth filling the air as A-People spent their ‘overtime’ to enjoy music and raise funds for a worthy cause.
Social Enterprise
Weather Solutions to help Philippine Red Cross bridge disaster response gaps
Weather Solutions, the first weather-centric social enterprise in the Philippines, has partnered with the Philippine Red Cross to overcome challenges in disaster risk and response through the use of highly accurate weather data.
ABC Stories
My Life, My ABC: Amy Chua, a certified Super A-Mom
Four years ago, Amy Chua faced challenges that would seem insurmountable, yet she overcame and triumphed. Armed with unwavering faith in God, love for her son, and an indomitable spirit, Amy thrived amid the challenges life threw at her.
Social Enterprise
Weather Solutions becomes official source of ANC weather reports
Weather Solutions has partnered with the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) to enable the Filipino cable television network to utilize specialized weather data from the Aboitiz Group’s social enterprise for its daily weather reports.
Power
Global cable industry leader gets Cleanergy
Global leader in cable industry, Draka of Prysmian Group, picks AboitizPower’s Cleanergy as sustainable energy source for its manufacturing plant in Mactan, Cebu.
Cover Story
The ABCs of Giving Back by EIA
The ability to make a positive impact on others is a fundamental need of each individual and, for the Aboitiz Group, giving back to our communities is what our brand promise of Advancing Business and Communities (ABC) speaks of.