Category: News

Fresh from being recognized and awarded with the COVID Management Initiative of the Year Award from Healthcare Asia, AC Health continues to put together the vital pieces to realize its vision and commitment of bringing accessible and affordable healthcare for all Filipinos.

AC Health, a subsidiary of Ayala Corporation, through its QualiMed Hospital – Iloilo facility recently shared its plans for its In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Center and Integrated Practice Unit (IPU). Citing estimates that 1 in 10 Filipinos is affected by infertility and that 10% of those with infertility concerns will undergo IVF treatment as premise, Dr. Henry Tupas, Director and President of the Iloilo Fertility and Reproductive Care Center (IFER) presented key developments on the Iloilo Fertility & Reproductive Care Center Phase 2 Expansion Project which is the first and only Fertility and IVF Center in Western Visayas.

In accordance with the concept of a patient-centered integrated practice unit (IPU), the services to be offered at the Iloilo Fertility and Reproductive Care Center (IFER) is organized around the patient’s primary problem of infertility and providing the full cycle of care for the patient’s medical condition. According to Dr. Tupas, “It will offer assisted reproductive technology, cryopreservation and genetic testing with our very own, fertility doctor, Dr. Rey Castillo leading the way and with the guidance of QualiMed – Iloilo COO Dr. Nathaniel Chan, and QualiMed – Iloilo Medical Director Dr. James Woo.”

The presentation on the IVF IPU was made during the recent MDXperience Roadshow that kicked off last May 26 at QualiMed Hospital in Atria Park, Iloilo City. The event was also attended by Ayala Corporation President and CEO Fernando Zobel de Ayala, AC Health President and CEO Paolo Borromeo, Healthway Philippines Inc. President and CEO Jaime E. Ysmael, QualiMed Health Network Group COO Margaret Bengzon, Healthway Cancer Care Center Vice Chairman for Medical Advisory Dr. Manuel Francisco Roxas, AC Health Consultant Dr. Manuel Dayrit, QualiMed – Iloilo COO Dr. Nathaniel Chan, and QualiMed – Iloilo Medical Director Dr. James Woo.

Ayala Corporation President and CEO Fernando Zobel de Ayala also took the opportunity to reaffirm the Ayala group’s commitment to investing in healthcare, “At Ayala, nation-building has always been at our core and the pandemic has only reinforced our long-standing commitment towards improving lives and promoting development and growth for the country, which of course includes accessible and quality healthcare. The pandemic underpinned the importance of investing in healthcare and we at Ayala promise to continue doing so.”

AC Health President Paolo Borromeo for his part reiterated the Group’s commitment to healthcare, “We have a genuine desire to address gaps in the healthcare sector. Our belief is that healthcare is a fundamental human right. Creating an integrated healthcare ecosystem that will provide accessible and affordable healthcare for all Filipinos is the bold vision of AC Health.”

Emphasizing the importance of proactive and meaningful doctor engagement in the entire organization, Healthway Philippines Inc. President and CEO Jaime E. Ysmael in turn conveyed, “A key element of success to realize our vision to be among the major players in the hospital and clinics space is our Stakeholder Engagement or Stakeholder for Life Program. This program focuses on our three main stakeholders – you, our doctors, our patients, and our employees. As our partners in delivering quality care, our doctors play a critical role. Hence, we value very much the relationship and would like to continue to strengthen it. Our doctor engagement program supports the three main areas of a doctor’s needs, which are to be able to practice, learn and teach.”

During this time of constant change and transition, AC Health is committed towards improving lives and promoting development and growth for the Filipino people, which includes accessible and quality healthcare. Doctors play a crucial part on making this possible as they work together with their leadership team to achieve this goal.

Other QualiMed facilities that offer Integrated Practice Units are:

QualiMed – Tanauan, Batangas (GI/Gastro Center, and Acute Stroke Unit)

QualiMed Hospital – San Jose del Monte, Bulacan (Diabetes Center, Hypertension Center, Geriatric Center, AesthetiQ Center, Breast and Women’s Health Center, and Eye Center)

QualiMed Hospital – Sta. Rosa, Laguna (Aesthetic Center, Lifestyle and Wellness Center, Wound and Ostomy Care Center, and Neuroscience Center)

QualiMed Surgery Center – Manila (Women’s Health and Breast Center, Palliative Care Clinic, Wound & Ostomy Care Center, and Pain Management Clinic).

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QualiMed is a comprehensive network of full-service hospitals, multi-specialty clinics, and a stand-alone day surgery center. QualiMed Health Network is part of Healthway Philippines Inc. and of the AC Health Group.

For further inquiries, you may reach us through:
Telephone: +63287080000
Email: contact.us@qualimed.com.ph
Website: http://www.qualimed.com.ph

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AC Health

Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (AC Health) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Ayala Corporation, and serves as the portfolio company for healthcare businesses. Its vision is to build an ecosystem that links every patient to a seamless healthcare experience. Its portfolio includes Generika Drugstore, the pioneer in generic retail pharmacies, IE Medica and MedEthix, major pharmaceutical importer and distributor, Healthway, a network of primary care, multi-specialty, and corporate clinics, and QualiMed, a comprehensive network of full-service hospitals, multi-specialty clinics, and a stand-alone day surgery center. AC Health has also invested in health technology solutions, most recently, HealthNow, a healthcare aggregator app that offers online consultations, medicine delivery, and clinic and diagnostic booking.

For information:
Nicole Tajanlangit
Corporate Strategy & Development
E-mail: ztajanlangit.ncb@achealth.com.ph

MANILA — Ayala Corporation successfully listed the second tranche of the company’s P30 billion debt securities program on the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corporation on Thursday.

This issuance successfully raised P15 billion to refinance a P10 billion bond with an original maturity in May 2027. The remainder of the proceeds will be used to support Ayala’s investment program for 2022.

Amidst market volatility, the bond offering was met with high investor demand, raking total bids of P121.2 billion or 12.12 times oversubscription over the base issuance of P10 billion. This is the largest book a non-bank and non-government deal has seen in recent years.

“We are honored to have received positive investor response to this issuance that supports our liability management in a rising interest rate environment.  It also validates the market’s confidence in Ayala’s credit quality, while solidifying our balance sheet under volatile markets,” said Fernando Zobel de Ayala, President & CEO of Ayala Corporation.

“This is the largest Peso-denominated issuance by volume that we have seen from Ayala Corp,” said Antonino Nakpil, President & CEO of Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. “The size of the issuance has not fazed investors, whose demand for AC instruments triggered the oversubscription from the initial issue size of P10 billion.”

The Ayala group remains committed to helping ensure the vibrancy of the Philippine capital markets. Ayala Corporation, Ayala Land, and BPI have raised an aggregate of over P75 billion over the past two years. Ayala group bonds currently account for around 15% of the total tradeable value of corporate debt instruments in the country.

“We are thankful for the market’s continued trust in the Ayala group as the funds that we have raised will be helpful in enhancing our core value drivers, expanding our emerging businesses, and further unlocking value through our portfolio investments,” Zobel added.

“We are optimistic that Ayala Corporation will continue to be at the forefront as a reliable partner of government towards nation-building,” said Securities and Exchange Commissioner Kelvin Lester Lee.  

“With a diverse portfolio spanning from banking, real estate, telecommunication, renewable energy, water infrastructure, and electronics technology, Ayala is certainly in every aspect of our lives. It is truly one of the country’s oldest and most revered organizations that have stood the tests of time,” Lee added.  

For 2022, Ayala group allocated up to P285 billion in combined capital expenditure and investments to execute on the growth initiatives across its businesses. The group commits to support the continued expansion of its core value drivers Ayala Land, BPI, Globe, and ACEN. It will also scale up emerging businesses AC Health and AC Logistics to create new sources of growth and value.  

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For more information:
YLA ALCANTARA
Head, Brand and Reputation Management
Ayala Corporation
e-mail – publicaffairs@ayala.com

MANILA — To maintain the competitiveness and future-readiness of their workforce, Ayala units make upskilling more accessible by strengthening their engagement with one of the world’s largest online learning platforms, Coursera.

In a discussion with Coursera executives, Ayala Corporation’s Strategic Human Resources Advisor and Ayala group’s HR Council Head Francisco Romero Milan expressed the group’s commitment to future-proofing its workforce by investing in lifelong learning. 

“Human resources units across the Ayala group have committed to promoting continuous learning and development among employees by partnering with various online and offline course providers,” Milan said.

“We are grateful to platforms like Coursera for helping us upskill our employees,” he added. “Coursera provides us access to an array of training and development programs developed by top universities and companies. All these can be accessed online, on demand, and on the go.”       

“Coursera for Business aims to help companies drive transformative skill development to power business growth and resilience, and manage the shift to remote work,” said Raghav Gupta, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Coursera. “We’re honored to support Ayala Corporation in their endeavor to accelerate their digital transformation journey. Their group-wide learning programs aim to build a workforce of continuous learners who chart their own learning paths, and are equipped to achieve personal growth and deliver professional impact.”

Through its partnership with Coursera, Ayala Corporation seeks to improve employees’ digital and human skills through curated, function-focused, and industry-specific learning programs available on the e-learning platform.

Ayala Land also taps Coursera to further enhance employees’ finance, marketing, sales, project management, and customer service excellence skills, which are a must-have in the real estate industry. 

Meanwhile, BPI promotes upskilling on digital transformation, data analysis, information system, cybersecurity, and digital channels for banking through Coursera. By far, BPI employees have taken a total of 81,298 lessons and spent 61,000 learning hours on Coursera.

In 2021, 99% of BPI employees completed at least five training days among the 200 mandatory, functional, and leadership training modules.

Finally, Ayala’s digital solution platform Globe leverages Coursera for its Data Science Program which focuses on data analytics and cloud security, among others. Globe’s Data Science Program has yielded 1,400 completed lessons to-date. The company also enables critical IT talents by giving them access to Coursera’s certification preparatory courses to help them to successfully obtain key IT certifications.

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For more information:

YLA ALCANTARA
Head, Brand and Reputation Management
Ayala Corporation
e-mail – publicaffairs@ayala.com

MANILA — Healthcare Asia Awards has given the COVID Management Initiative of the Year (Philippines) award to Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (AC Health) for the latter’s integrated ecosystem approach in responding to COVID-19.

In a feature published on the leading healthcare magazine, AC Health was hailed for helping strengthen the Philippines’ COVID-19 response by leveraging its unique ecosystem to address the gaps and fulfill its mandate of providing quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare to Filipinos.

“To effectively manage the spread of the virus, AC Health launched a multipronged approach, establishing a strong presence across all patient touch points and providing end-to-end services to Filipinos,” the article reads.

Healthcare Asia Awards aims to honor hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers that have “risen above the challenges and made a remarkable impact to their patients most especially amidst the massive disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

AC Health President & CEO Paolo Borromeo, meanwhile, thanked Healthcare Asia for recognizing the company’s holistic approach to COVID management. “Thank you to Healthcare Asia for this amazing recognition. This is a testament to the dedication and commitment of all our frontliners at AC Health, and it fuels our commitment to improve healthcare for all Filipinos.”  

Borromeo added, “This recognition would not have been possible without the trust and support of our partners from the national government, the DOH, IATF and various local government units. While the pandemic did expose gaps in our healthcare system, it also uncovered opportunities for stronger collaborations between private and public sectors to build and scale up solutions faster and more effectively. We look forward to this continued partnership with the government.”

In the early months of the pandemic, AC Health led a consortium to invest in and scale up national RT-PCR testing capacities, which included 7 BSL-2 laboratories across the country, equivalent to an additional capacity for 5,500 RT-PCR tests per day.

As the pandemic continued, demand for inpatient COVID care rose and hospitals were overwhelmed. AC Health’s Healthway clinics continued operations to triage and service non-COVID related concerns and thus decongest hospitals. AC Health also converted its four QualiMed hospitals into COVID-19 referral facilities. More than half of QualiMed’s beds were dedicated to COVID cases, including ICUs.

AC Health also augmented the existing team of medical professionals with more staffing to help manage the increased demand. In addition, its pharma businesses, Generika and IE Medica/MedEthix, also continued to ensure adequate supply of medicines.

MedEthix was also the first to bring in Molnupiravir, an oral antiviral treatment for mild cases of COVID-19, into the country under a Compassionate Special Permit. This was then made available to patients across the network via Healthway, QualiMed, and the HealthNow super app.

With the arrival of COVID vaccines in 2021, AC Health launched COVIDShield, enabling it to administer over 770,000 doses of COVID vaccines (as of May 2022) for its partners within and outside of the Ayala group across 30+ sites nationwide.

AC Health is currently building the Philippines’ first dedicated cancer specialty hospital, which is expected to be completed by 2023. The 100-bed Healthway Cancer Care Center will offer a complete range of services from screening, diagnosis, treatment to post-cancer care. This facility will be equipped with 20 chemotherapy chairs, 4 operating theaters, and state of the art diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, optimized for cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment.    

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AC Health

Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (AC Health) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Ayala Corporation, and serves as the portfolio company for healthcare businesses. Its vision is to build an ecosystem that links every patient to a seamless healthcare experience. Its portfolio includes Generika Drugstore, the pioneer in generic retail pharmacies, IE Medica and MedEthix, major pharmaceutical importer and distributor, Healthway, a network of primary care, multi-specialty, and corporate clinics, and QualiMed, a comprehensive network of full-service hospitals, multi-specialty clinics, and a stand-alone day surgery center. AC Health has also invested in health technology solutions, most recently, HealthNow, a healthcare aggregator app that offers online consultations, medicine delivery, and clinic and diagnostic booking.

For further inquiries, contact:

Nicole Tajanlangit
Strategy and External Affairs
E-mail: ztajanlangit.ncb@achealth.com.ph

MANILA — Ayala Center For Excellence in Sports (ACES) on Saturday names eight national athletes selected for its pilot program Atletang Ayala.

Launched last March, ACES is part of Ayala’s commitment to nation-building by providing holistic support to the country’s emerging athletic Olympic bets. Ayala believes that sports can inspire and bring together a nation. Hence, through ACES, Ayala finds a way to help the next generation of Filipino athletes achieve their full potential.

“Many of our athletes are already well on the way to becoming internationally competitive in this way. We would like to help support them, by building long-term relationships that will help them become the best they can be in both their athletic and post-athletic careers,” said Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Chairman of Ayala Corporation.

“We believe that this posture of investing in the long-term development of the individual, as both an athlete and as a person, is an effective and sustainable way to build success in Philippine national sports,” he added

The pioneering roster of Atletang Ayala includes:

o Jasmine Alkhadi (29) – Two-time Olympic swimmer and SEAG gold medalist – Double major degree holder in Marketing & Management (Hawaii)

o Andrea Robles (25) – First Filipino Gold Medalist at the Indoor Archery World Series – Dean’s Lister in Management (Ateneo de Manila University)

o Prince Alejo (21) – Youngest nationally ranked karateka – Studying Mechanical Engineering (Polytechnic University of the Philippines)

o Pia Bidaure (24) – World-ranked archer and SEAG medalist – Studying Civil Engineering (Siliman University)

o Xiandi Chua (21) – Nationally-ranked swimmer and SEAG silver medalist and – Dean’s Lister in Business Entrepreneurship (De La Salle University)

o Nat Perez (26) – Philippines’ top foil fencer – Aspiring entrepreneur

o Abby Bidaure (20) – World-ranked national archer and – Studying Psychology (University of St. La Salle – Bacolod)

o Noel Jose (25) – World-ranked fencer – Cum Laude graduate in BS Physical Education (University of Santo Tomas)

Each Atletang Ayala underwent a rigorous screening process that lasted for a month. “We wanted to make sure that athletes in the program were as accomplished and committed to their professional careers as to their athletic careers. We were amazed to find many applicants exhibited precisely those levels of commitment, in each of those areas. The 8 selected are, in our view, the best partners, professionally and athletically,” said Jan Bengzon, ACES Program Director.

Under the Atletang Ayala program, participating Ayala Group companies will offer full-salaried employment opportunities at part-time hours to the selected national athletes while they train for the 2022 Asian Games and the 2024 Olympics.

Athletes selected for the program will also be given free access to the world-class training facilities of the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub (AVSH) in Cavite, which features a 400m track oval built in accordance with the standards of the International Association of Athletics Federations, a FINA-standard Olympic size swimming pool, and an indoor training facility equipped with a sports science laboratory.

AVSH facilities can accommodate training for track/athletics, aquatics, cycling, triathlon, football, rugby, and frisbee.

Further, ACES has partnered with De La Salle University to offer free enrollment in a selection of courses. This benefit will enable athletes to matriculate in DLSU’s world-class programs, eventually earning degrees that will support their career development.

Each Atletang Ayala will be offered a yearly contract that provides for the above benefits and can be renewed annually until the 2024 Olympics, contingent on the attainment of clear performance measures.

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For more information:

YLA ALCANTARA
Head, Brand and Reputation Management
Ayala Corporation
e-mail – publicaffairs@ayala.com

MANILA, Philippines, April 29, 2022 – Ayala Corporation welcomes former Philippines finance secretary Cesar V. Purisima and former Singtel Group CEO Chua Sock Koong to its board of directors following their election at the company’s annual stockholders meeting on Friday.

Purisima and Chua take the seats of outgoing directors Keiichi Matsunaga and Antonio Jose U. Periquet, who had been part of the Ayala board since April 2017 and September 2010, respectively.

Purisima served as the country’s finance chief and chair of the economic development cluster of the President’s Cabinet from 2010 to 2016. Under his leadership, the Philippines received its first investment-grade ratings. Purisima also served as Chairman and Country Managing Partner of the Philippines’ largest professional services firm, SGV & Co.

Chua is currently senior advisor at Singtel, Asia’s leading communications technology group, where she also served as group CEO for 13 years until December 2020. She is currently the Deputy Chairman of Singapore’s Public Service Commission and a member of the Council of Presidential Advisers and the Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council.

In his message to the stockholders, Ayala Corporation Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said, “We always strive to achieve sufficient diversity of thinking across our board representation and have worked to create a proper combination of knowledge, experience, and expertise to guide management. With an increasing demand for companies to adhere to new ESG standards, we understand the need to always focus on revisiting our board composition and allowing transitions to take place at appropriate moments.”

Zobel added, “We believe Mr. Purisima and Ms. Chua will provide immense value and complement the existing expertise and strengths of our current Directors.” He also thanked Matsunaga and Periquet for sharing their wisdom and experience, which helped Ayala withstand various headwinds over the years.

The Ayala board now has two female directors with Chua and Ex-Sun Life Financial (Philippines) CEO Rizalina Mantaring.  

Strengthening ESG commitment

Last October 2021, Ayala Corporation committed to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. To develop its net-zero roadmap, Ayala partnered with South Pole, a leading project developer and global climate solutions provider that works with private organizations and governments worldwide.

By December 2021, Ayala Corporation and core business units Ayala Land, BPI, ACEN, and Globe completed a climate action gap analysis study, marking the first phase in the engagement with South Pole. The study highlighted strengths, areas for improvement, and potential quick wins for Ayala and its core businesses.

Ayala Land, BPI, ACEN, and Globe are currently in the process of accounting for their respective GHG footprints and will be followed by an intervention assessment and target-setting. The group is on-track to develop bespoke net-zero greenhouse gas emissions roadmaps for each of the core business units towards the end of 2022.

On the social front, Ayala became a member of the Business Commission to Tackle Inequality, an initiative by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development that focuses on mobilizing the global business community to address the disparity and imbalance across income, wealth, and opportunities. It aims to accelerate business action around equity and put it at par with climate and nature action. Recently, Ayala Corporation President and CEO Fernando Zobel de Ayala joined as a commissioner.

Investing for the Greater Good

Ayala Corporation’s net profits grew 62 percent to ₱27.8 billion (approximately US$556 mn) in 2021, primarily driven by realized income from the execution of strategic initiatives in the group, boosted by the improved performance of Ayala Land and BPI.

For 2022, Ayala group allocated up to ₱285 billion (approximately US$5.7 bn) in combined capital expenditure and investments to execute on the growth initiatives across its businesses. Ayala Corporation President & CEO Fernando Zobel de Ayala said the group commits to support the continued expansion of its core value drivers Ayala Land, BPI, Globe, and ACEN.

The group will also scale up emerging businesses AC Health and AC Logistics to create new sources of growth and value. Further, by sharpening the group’s portfolio with an increased focus on value realization to fund future investments and strengthen its balance sheet, Ayala targets to raise US$1 billion in proceeds by 2023.

“Our diversified portfolio provides a natural mechanism to mitigate the adverse impact and capitalize on opportunities arising from the global health and economic crisis,” Ayala President & CEO Fernando Zobel said. “With the improving macroeconomic fundamentals, de-escalation of quarantine measures to the lowest status, and high rate of inoculation, we are hopeful that 2022 will be the start of our country’s recovery,” he added.

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For more information:

YLA ALCANTARA
Head, Brand and Reputation Management
Ayala Corporation
e-mail – publicaffairs@ayala.com

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CEBU CITY – The Ayala Group has renamed and relaunched the Cebu chapter of the WeAreAyala Business Club (WAABC) recently to advance the Greater Good by fostering customer support, employee synergy, and community engagement.

The event included the oath-taking of newly inducted WAABC Cebu Board Members, a town hall for more than 300 participants from across the different Ayala Business Units, and a token recognition of Alexis Sy, a Cebuana Bowler and BPI Unibanker, that is representing the country at the 31st SEA Games. With this WAABC Cebu launch, the formal inauguration of WAABC chapters in other regions is set to follow.

“We are such a unique group of companies, with such a broad and diverse presence throughout the country. It is really wonderful to see our communities helping one another and the community at large, most especially during these challenging times,” said Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Corporation President & CEO.

WAABC Cebu, previously known as Ayala Business Club Cebu, was established in 1995.  It has witnessed Ayala’s growing presence in the province. Today, Ayala Land Inc. has two (2) operational estates (Cebu Business Park and Cebu IT Park) and three (3) more under development, which are the centers of business in Cebu and together host 70% of Cebu’s BPO industry. Moreover, Ayala also has 2 malls – Ayala Center Cebu and Ayala Malls Central Bloc, 51 BPI & BanKo branches, 11 Globe Stores, 44 Generika drugstores, and 5 AC Motors dealerships. At the height of the pandemic, AC Health’s Qualimed Health Network operated a COVIDShield vaccination site in Ayala Malls Central Bloc, where over 16,300 jabs of COVID-19 vaccine were administered. 

“As the Ayala group continues to expand its presence here, WAABC Cebu commits to help advance the Greater Good by spearheading projects that enhance our engagement with customers, fellow Ayala employees, and the broader community.  We have also not forgotten our responsibility to our environment and the local communities we work with. We continue to strive to help build a sustainable future for all Cebuanos,” said Patrick Gloria, newly inducted Chairman of WAABC Cebu and current Globe Director for External Affairs, Visayas and Mindanao.

Through #BrigadangAyala, WAABC Cebu helped with the disaster response and rehabilitation efforts in Typhoon Odette-affected areas by spearheading the distribution of construction materials to select local communities and public schools within Cebu. Earlier this year, Globe, together with Ayala Foundation Inc., provided communications support in collaboration with the local government. More than 50 Globe Prepaid WiFi units were donated to select Bantayan Island residents and students.

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For more information, please contact:

Yla Alcantara
Head, Brand and Reputation Management
Ayala Corporation
Email – publicaffairs@ayala.com

Yoly Crisanto
SVP Group Corporate Communications and Chief Sustainability Officer
Globe Telecom, Inc.
Email Address: gtcorpcomm@globe.com.ph
Globe Press Room: https:/ www.globe.com.ph/about-us/newsroom.html
Twitter: @talk2GLOBE │ Facebook: http:/ www.facebook.com/globeph

MANILA — Few weeks from now, BPI Unibanker and emerging bowling juggernaut Alexis Sy will represent the Philippines in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.

This is the fifth time that the 29-year-old Cebuana waves the Philippine flag before Southeast Asia’s finest athletes, after bagging four bronze medals from her winning streaks in previous games.  

On Friday, Sy was recognized by Ayala Corporation President & CEO Fernando Zobel de Ayala during the WeAreAyala Business Club Cebu Townhall. “The Ayala group is rooting for Alexis Sy as she represents our country in the upcoming SEA Games in Hanoi,” Zobel said. “In our own way, we at Ayala are supporting her bid by providing her the flexibility and financial assistance she needs to train.”

According to Sy, Ayala group’s hurrah boosts her confidence as she embarks on her first major game since the pandemic. “I’m overwhelmed by everyone’s support,” she said. “Everyone–from the top management down to my colleagues–has been cheering me on consistently.”        

Love at first strike  

Sy, who was recruited by the Philippine Sports Commission in 2007, has been playing for the national bowling team for more than half of her life. But just like all serendipitous stories, it was never part of the plan.

“I originally wanted to be a businessman like my dad. I only tried bowling out of curiosity,” she said. “Growing up kasi, our family would spend weekends watching my Lolo, Dad, and Brother play at the bowling alley. One day, out of boredom, the eight-year-old me just decided to try it.”

Several strikes later, Sy found her new comfort zone in the bowling alley. At that time, however, the idea that she would be carrying the Philippine flag in the coming years was still out of sight.

“My first big competition was held in Singapore. We were inside a stadium with so many people watching from the bleachers that I could barely recognize their faces. From where I was standing, I could only see our countrymen waving Philippine flag,” she recalled.  

Unfortunately, in the upcoming SEA Games, a familiar figure that used to be her source of comfort would no longer be cheering with the crowd. Last year, Sy lost her father whom she considered her biggest fan.

“My dad had always been my inspiration. He supported me all the way. I’m sure he would have wanted me to keep going. So here I am, still playing the game he loved.”      

Solid support system

Outside the bowling alley, Sy is a Marketing Associate at BPI’s corporate banking group, where she’s been handling big business accounts since 2014.  

The proud Unibanker said that while she’s doubling down on her training, she does not compromise her work performance. This, she said, is her way of repaying the company’s consistent support to her athletic career.

“I can say that I’m in the right company now,” she said. “I have always felt their support for me. They acknowledge my responsibilities as a national athlete. So I never shortchange them. During the pandemic, habang walang game, I really focused on my role as a Unibanker.”

Now with the entire Ayala group behind her, Sy feels much more inspired to take her game-winning strike and bring honor to the nation once more.  

“This April, I’m moving back to Manila to focus on my training. I’m thankful to Ayala for helping me in this move and for providing me with generous assistance,” she said.

“I really feel blessed to be part of an organization that supports my bid to bring honor to our nation,” she added, with high hopes that the national bowling team would finally bag the elusive gold this year.    

Sy and seven others comprise the Philippine Bowling Federation’s lineup for the SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, where a total of six gold medals in the men and women singles, men and women doubles, and men-women team of four will be contested.

Last February, Sy topped the federation’s tryouts (women’s category), with a whopping series average of 208.38. This May, she hopes to end the Philippine bowling team’s decade-long gold medal drought.

Through the Ayala Center for Excellence in Sports, Ayala group also seeks to support national athletes who will represent the country at the 2022 Asian Games and the 2024 Olympics.

National athletes who will qualify for the recently launched #AtletangAyala program will receive full-salaried employment opportunities at part-time hours. They will also have free access to the world-class training facilities of the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub as well as scholarship opportunities at De La Salle University.

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For more information:

YLA ALCANTARA
Head, Brand and Reputation Management
Ayala Corporation
e-mail – publicaffairs@ayala.com

MANILA — Just in time for the National Fire Prevention Month, Ayala Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bureau of Fire Protection to strengthen partnership and bolster support to the country’s firefighters through the Saludo sa Serbisyo program.

Present during the MOU signing on Thursday were DILG Secretary Eduardo Año, DILG Undersecretary for Public Safety Nestor Quinsay, Jr., BFP Chief Louie Puracan, Ayala Corporation President & CEO Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Public Affairs Group Head Rene Almendras, Corporate Governance Group Head Solomon Hermosura, Security and Crisis Management Head Manny Bautista, and other officers from the Ayala group and the BFP.    

“Aside from the Saludo sa Serbisyo program, the corporation has been providing educational assistance to children of soldiers killed in action or totally incapacitated while in the line of duty,” DILG Sec. Año said. “Since 1988, Ayala and other industry leaders through the Hero Foundation were able to support the education of the children of our fallen soldiers. Ganoon na po natin katagal kasangga ang Ayala, libo-libo na pong sundalo ang kanilang natulungan.”

Ayala Corporation and Ayala Land each give a donation of P2.5 million yearly. The educational stipend from the foundation helps orphaned students pay for school-related expenses. With the help of the private sector, Hero Foundation has supported and served a total of 2,702 orphan scholars since 1988.  

Meanwhile, through the Saludo sa Serbisyo program, the country’s uniformed personnel receive expanded access to the group’s products and services, enabling them to pick the best support they need in every milestone of their lives.  

“The fire service is one of the riskiest professions. While our men sacrifice their safety, at the end of the day, what they earn is just enough for food and necessities for the family,” BFP Chief Puracan said. “The Saludo sa Serbisyo Program supports this cause. This wide array of products and activities can help our firefighters plan, invest and be more responsible with their resources.”

Saludo sa Serbisyo provides offers on housing and vehicles, and it hosts a venue for financial education and livelihood training as well as health and wellness caravans. It also hopes to provide employment opportunities in various business units across the Ayala Group to BFP retirees and their qualified dependents.  

“Let me take this opportunity to express the Ayala Group’s deepest thanks to the brave men and women of the Bureau of Fire Protection for your selfless service.  We thought that it would be appropriate to pay tribute to our courageous firefighters during Fire Prevention Month through the Saludo Sa Serbisyo program,” Zobel said. “With the signing of this MOU, we mark this day as Firefighter Appreciation Day for the entire Ayala Group.”

In previous years, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police have also signed up to Saludo sa Serbisyo.

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For more information:

YLA ALCANTARA
Head, Brand and Reputation Management
Ayala Corporation
e-mail – publicaffairs@ayala.com

MANILA – The Ayala Center for Excellence in Sports (ACES) and the De La Salle University (DLSU) signed today a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in support of the #AtletangAyala, a program that seeks to assist Philippine national athletes during their athletic and post-athletic careers.

Under the MOA, DLSU will provide scholarships for Atletang Ayala national athletes who would like to continue their education. The MOA will enable these athletes to matriculate in DLSU’s world-class programs, eventually earning degrees that will support their career development.

“We are happy to partner with the Ayala Group of Companies in support of the Filipino national athlete,” said Bro. Bernard Oca, DLSU president. “De La Salle University has been very blessed to count many illustrious national athletes among its alumni, such as Lim Eng Beng and Ian Lariba. We are proud to be able to continue that tradition, this time in partnership with ACES.”

ACES Program Director Jan Bengzon said, “We are very grateful to have DLSU as the education partner for the Atletang Ayala program. DLSU has long been an innovator in the development of world-class curricula that are delivered in ways that suit athletes’ lifestyles and requirements without compromising its high academic standards. These qualities fit seamlessly with the Atletang Ayala program, and DLSU’s scholarships will be a much-needed benefit for program athletes.”  

Interested athletes may apply here: https://bit.ly/AtletangAyala. Deadline is extended to April 1.

For more information, please contact ACES via the following email address: aces@ayala.com   

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