Category: News

Project Ugnayan, the fund-raising initiative led by top business groups in cooperation with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), reached over 7.6 million people in the vulnerable communities of Greater Metro Manila.

“As we close, we wish to reiterate our wholehearted thanks to all our generous Donors for making this project possible. By coming together in a Bayanihan spirit so quickly, we were able to create a program of this scale and importance. This unprecedented assembly of so many of the country’s corporations and business families coming to the assistance of the most vulnerable in our society illustrates and speaks of the heart and generosity of the business community.

Our special thanks go to the 10 Bishops of the Dioceses in Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, and Laguna, as well as to Caritas Manila under the leadership of Father Anton Pascual, and the network of Parish Priests, Volunteers, and Barangay Captains who distributed the gift certificates door-to-door in the lowest-income communities of Greater Metro Manila. We appreciate the swiftness and efficiency of their work under very difficult conditions and over very long hours each day,” said Project Ugnayan Lead, Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

“We are grateful for this opportunity to be part of this business community effort to help people in a time of crisis. This is a movement we should nurture as we prepare to let people return to work and to re-start our economy in the post-quarantine period.” said PDRF Co-Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala.

“The unity in diversity demonstrated by Project Ugnayan reveals the private sector’s serious commitment to help our country recover from the lost economic momentum because of the pandemic. We are proud to be part of this extraordinary collaboration of industries which will prove most valuable in getting the economy back on track,” PDRF Co-Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

According to Father Anton CT Pascual, Executive Director of Caritas Manila, the initiative earned praises from Archdiocese of Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo, San Pablo Bishop Buenaventura Famadico and other Prelates of the Suffragan Dioceses of Manila. The Prelates thanked the businessmen and private organization who collectively help to make Project Ugnayan possible.

“The true spirit of Easter is about hope and has special significance in these difficult times. We thank all the generous benefactors of Project Ugnayan for this opportunity to fulfill a great mission of compassion for our vulnerable brothers and sisters. Your gifts have warmed their hearts and uplifted their spirits,” Father Pascual said.

Caritas Manila’s Project Damayan, the project’s main distributor of emergency cash through P1,000 supermarket gift certificates has so far reached 1,070,854 families or 5,354,270 people. It is on target to deliver gift certificates to 1,366,495 families or 6,832,475 people by Wednesday, April 15 (the original end-date of the Enhanced Community Quarantine).

ABS-CBN’s Pantawid ng Pagibig has reached 238,854 families or 1,194,270 people through food packs delivered through Local Government Units. They will reach a total of 631,921 families or 3,151,605 people by the end of their program.

ADB and the Government’s Bayan, Bayanihan has delivered food packages to 13,370 families or 66,850 people through the Philippine Army and DSWD. ADB has provided funding to reach 80,000 families or a total of 400,000 people.

Jollibee’s FoodAID program delivers ready-to-cook chicken to low-income families from its commissary through a network composed of Don Bosco, Caritas Manila, and the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Pamilya ng Pantawid (SNPP). So far, they have delivered to 199,491 families or 977,455 people. They are targeting to reach 500,000 families or 2,500,000 people by end-April.

“In sum, Project Ugnayan and its Partners have reached 1,522,569 families or 7,612,845 people in just over three weeks. This number will rise as all deliveries have already been programmed by the partners,” said Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

The donors of Project Ugnayan are (in alphabetical order): Aboitiz Group, ABSCBN/First Gen, Alaska Milk Corporation, Alliance Global Group & Megaworld, AY Foundation & RCBC, Ayala Corporation. Bench/Suyen Corp, Bonifacio West Devt Corp. Carmelray Group, Cathay Land, Inc, Cebuana Lhullier, Century Pacific, Coca Cola Philippines, Concepcion Industrial, Consuelo “Chito” Madrigal Foundation, Inc., Daiichi Properties, DMCI Group of Companies, Dowell Container and Packaging Corporation, Far Eastern University, First Life Financial Company, Focus Global, Inc., Global Food Group, Glorious Commercial Exports, Inc., Gokongwei Group of Companies/Robinsons Retail Holdings, ICTSI, JAKA Group 1, Jollibee, J.P. Morgan, Kawit Prime Holdings, Inc., Leonio Group, Mercury Drug Corporation, Metrobank, Mumuso Group, National Grid Corp of the Philippines, New World Hotel, Nutri-Asia, Oishi/Liwayway Marketing Group, One Meralco Foundation, Penshoppe, People R People, PepsiCo/PepsiCo Foundation, Philippine Racing Club, Inc, PLDT/Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, Puregold, Ramon S. Ang & Family, RRK/Lee Jeans, Shang Properties Inc, SM/BDO, Sta. Elena Construction, Sugar Junction Inc.. Sunlife of Canada, Super Prime Holdings, Inc, Supreme Steel Pipe Corp, The Alpha Suites Inc., Unilab, and Wilcon Depot.

“We are fully supportive of the latest pronouncement by President Duterte on extending the enhanced community quarantine to April 30. This is consistent with the research data on past pandemics, evaluation of initiatives in other countries and various statistical analyses that we have been studying to help break the COVID-19 pandemic. While we await for new guidelines from the national government, the Ayala group will continue to take care of its employees as a priority and extend support as much as we could to our partners and communities through collaborative efforts. In partnership with over 30 private conglomerates, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation and Caritas Manila, we are heavily involved in Project Ugnayan, an initiative that seeks to feed 1.5 million urban poor families or 7.5 million individual residents greatly affected by the ECQ in Greater Metro Manila. We are also completing the conversion of some 8,000 sqm of the World Trade Center in Pasay into a 500-bed quarantine facility for COVID positive patients with the ICCP group. This will be turned over to the AFP, as the medical operator next week, “ said Ayala chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala.

Makati, Philippines – March 12, 2020  As Ayala Corporation caps its 185^th founding anniversary, its network of 227,000 small medium enterprises (SMEs) and allied businesses of some 27,000 partners and suppliers across the group are recognized as pillars in its continuing growth story.

“Beyond our products and services, our businesses create multiplier effects for society and the economy. Our group creates employment opportunities for a broad segment of Filipinos– whether professionals, skilled or unskilled—as well as various entrepreneurial opportunities for many micro, small, and medium businesses. With the Ayala group’s unique attributes in diversity, scope, and brand equity, we are fortunate to have the ability to contribute to providing livelihood opportunities with scale and serve as catalyst for economic and social progress for many communities throughout the country,” noted Ayala Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala.

More than half of these 227,000 unique SMEs within the Ayala network, partner with Globe for their data transaction needs and various ICT solutions to run their daily business operations.

Another 100,000 enterprising Filipinos are already growing their business ventures with BPI’s Banko through zero collateral, low interest loans of up to ₱150,000 and sound financial advice.

An estimated 1,000 SMEs are also doing business in 35 AyalaLand Malls nationwide and some subcontractors at the Makati Development Corporation that build sustainable residential and commercial spaces.

According to a DTI report, micro small medium enterprises (MSMEs) are becoming a significant contributor in the Philippine economy. They make up 99.5% of the businesses in the country where 60% are micro entrepreneurs with annual revenues of less than P10 Million. MSMEs employ 63% of working Filipinos and contribute to 35% of the country’s GDP. Ayala supports the growth of the MSMEs in the country.

In addition, some 27,000 suppliers and partners across the Ayala group continue to benefit from the income derived from Ayala’s diverse businesses. All these economic activities aim to include as many players as possible creating more income generating prospects and jobs.

The Ayala group reported 71,823 total direct hires in 2019, up 19% from 2018. Ayala’s suppliers and SME partners are part of the country’s most productive citizens. The Philippine Statistics Authority estimates the country’s employment rate at 94.9% at December 2019.  

Ayala’s net income in 2019 reached ₱35.3 billion, which included divestment gains from AC Education and AC Energy. The strong consumer-driven growth of Ayala Land, BPI, and Globe lifted Ayala’s bottomline during the period.

An infrastructure company of businessman Enrique K. Razon Jr., Prime Metroline Holdings Inc., through a company that it will incorporate for the transaction (hereafter, “Trident Water”), is joining Ayala Corporation as a strategic investor in Manila Water with the acquisition of a 25 percent stake in the company. Ayala remains a shareholder with a 38.6 percent stake.

The transaction will bring ₱10.7 billion in fresh funds for Manila Water, which will support its capital spending program to improve the water and wastewater distribution system in Metro Manila’s east zone concession.
The partnership with Trident Water, which demonstrates Ayala’s ability to attract sizeable and long-term investments into the business group, adds enormous value to Manila Water as it executes on its long-term strategic direction.

“Across all our partnerships, Ayala values the complementary strengths and expertise that we can leverage off a team-based approach, which has been a hallmark of our many joint undertakings with both local and international groups. Both Ayala and Mr. Razon share a deep commitment to contributing to the country’s water infrastructure development,” Ayala Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said.

“Together, both our groups can provide a unique, holistic, and long-term solution to providing predictable and dependable long-term supply to the growing needs of the east zone concession and likewise contribute to strengthening the infrastructure required to deliver an important resource to preserve the city’s livability and health at a time of growth and expansion in the metropolis,” Ayala’s Chairman and CEO noted.

“We expect this partnership to likewise help accelerate Manila Water’s regional aspirations given Mr. Razon’s solid experience in penetrating overseas markets,” Ayala President and COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala stated.

Over the past decade, Manila Water has been establishing itself as a major water infrastructure player in Southeast Asia with investments in various platforms across Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia and is constantly on the lookout for opportunities in the region.

“Mr. Razon’s successful global operations in economies around Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa is a testament to his strong ability to establish business leadership overseas and navigate the nuances and challenges that come with operating in new territories, including differences in culture, social structures, and economic development,” Ayala’s President and COO said.

“We are excited to enter into this partnership with the Ayala group. We will dedicate our efforts to further develop this unique business both here in the Philippines and abroad. We are confident that our collective experience, technical capabilities, and corporate synergies will be of great benefit to Manila Water, the people it serves, and its other stakeholders,” commented Enrique K. Razon Jr.

The Bulk Water Supply Project of the Razon-led Wawa JVCo Inc. is expected to start supplying an additional 80 MLD of water to Metro Manila by the end of 2021.

Over 320 evacuees, most of whom were residents in “locked down” towns of Agoncillo and Laurel in Batangas, have been housed at the Municipal Covered Court of Alitagtag. Those coming from the San Andres Elementary School in Bauan were mostly from Lemery where some areas are still partly locked down. The evacuees needed medical assistance for treatment of common cough and colds, muscle pains, hypertension, diarrhea, diabetes and other skin care concerns. A number of patients also required nebulization services and wound treatment.

In coordination with the Batangas provincial government and the municipal health office, the Ayala group sent a medical mission organized by AFI with various business units and partners – AC Health, Ayala Land’s Makati Development Corporation (MDC) and the Ateneo School of Medicine & Public Health.

The medical mission composed of 41 doctors and 50 allied health professionals was also able to provide patients assorted medicines, supplied by AC Health’s Family Doc and Healthway clinics, Generika drugstores, IE Medica and MedEthix.

The Filipino Young Leaders Program Alumni (FYLPRO), an AFI affiliated non-profit next generation leadership organization based in the United States, also donated 200 N-95 face masks to protect against possible ashfall. They were distributed by AFI to residents of Lemery who were staying in the town of Bauan.

Additionally, Manila Water Foundation (MWF) provided the volunteers with five hundred 500ml bottles of Healthy Family drinking water to ensure proper hydration as they attended to patients throughout the day.

“Bayanihan is very much alive in the hearts of the Batanguenos. In a letter written by Archbishop Garcera, he said and I quote – Tayo ay Taal. Tatag. Abilidad. Angas. Lingap. Qualities that kept the Batanguenos knitted together. No words can express the gratitude we give to all who are lending a helping hand to lift us back to our feet,” shared Dr. Flordeliz Castillo, Alitagtag Municipal Health Officer as she welcomed the medical mission team.

Aside from the medical outreach, one of the 10 KIA K2500 Karga utility vehicles recently donated by AC Motors to the Batangas provincial government was deployed in Alitagtag, a fourth class municipality. The vehicle allowed the Alitagtag Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) to transport patients, evacuees and relief goods to and from the neighboring towns. Prior the assignment of the vehicle, the MDRRMO said that the only utility vehicle available at their disposal was a garbage truck covered with canvas.

With Taal volcano’s alert level status reduced to level 3 last January 26 by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), many of the displaced families have begun to make their way back to their residences. However, it is clear that there is still a lot more to be done as a significant number of them have lost all their possessions and sources of livelihood. Some of those who were allowed to return to their homes eventually made their way back to evacuation centers as their houses were found to be severely or totally damaged. A provincial evacuation center was set up in the town of Ibaan to accommodate evacuees from areas declared as permanent danger zones.

The Ayala group will continue to work closely with the concerned local government units in bringing other relief and rehabilitation efforts to communities to help rebuild lives.

Makati, Philippines – January 29, 2020 Ayala Corporation (Ayala) received a B rating from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for its commitment to continuously measure and manage its environmental performance in 2019. The company is the first and only organization in the Philippines to achieve such a score.

The CDP, a UK-based organization which supports the disclosure of major corporations’ environmental impact, annually sends out a Climate Change questionnaire. Last year, it received responses from more than 8,000 companies worldwide, and awarded Ayala the Management status for its climate change disclosure. Ayala is one of the 19% of companies who made it to the management & leadership band worldwide. 

Ayala’s B rating is higher than the Asia Region Average Performance and Global Average Performance, which both have a C rating. DBS Group Holdings from Singapore, and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation from Japan received a B rating, together with other companies from Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, South Korea and Thailand. 

This CDP rating recognizes the group’s efforts on environmental stewardship to help mitigate climate change, its proactive and robust risk management, and continuous strong undertakings to adopt sustainability best practices. These endeavors are further reflected in the Ayala Sustainability Blueprint which the company launched in 2019. In this masterplan, each of the group’s business units has set a target that supports the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) that its business naturally aligns with. Guided by this blueprint, Ayala has committed to continuously measure its performance against its targets in support of the UN SDGs’ 2030 agenda. Ayala also pioneered the integration of sustainability, risk management, and corporate governance in the country. 

The group continues to intensify its efforts, and strives to be among the CDP A-Listers in the future. The CDP A-List community is the top two percent who are high-performing global leaders on corporate climate action. 

“This CDP rating is a testament to our focus on the climate change agenda. For years, the importance and urgency of protecting the environment has been a priority across our businesses. We will continue our efforts and commitment to UN SDG 13 in our Ayala Sustainability Blueprint,” said Jose Teodoro Limcaoco, Chief Sustainability Officer and Managing Director of Ayala Corporation. 

A network of investors with USD 96 trillion in assets, purchasers, and policymakers around the globe use CDP data and insights in decision-making. It is also used by major global indices such as MSCI, Sustainalytics, Bloomberg, and more. Companies with a high rating get a boost in their competitive advantage and reputation. 

Makati, Philippines – January 22, 2020 Ayala companies across the group continue to contribute additional relief efforts for thousands of families devastated by the on-going eruption of Taal Volcano, which started spewing volcanic ash on January 12, 2020. Ayala has been on the move for over a week and steps up multiple donation drives where employees volunteered to help pack and deliver critical aid to evacuees.

On January 20, AC Motors and Ayala Foundation employees delivered relief items carried in a convoy of 30 vehicles from Volkswagen, KIA, Maxus, KTM, Honda and Isuzu. Part of the delivery convoy were 10 brand new KIA K2500 Kargo vehicles turned over to the Batangas provincial government for deployment to evacuation sites that need them the most. To date, three of the vehicles have already been dispatched to the municipalities of San Nicolas, San Luis and Mataas Na Kahoy.

AC Motors, Ayala’s automotive unit under AC Industrials, canceled its annual media thanksgiving event last week and instead reallocated the fund to procure emergency goods such as blankets, mattresses, sleeping mats, slippers, towels and other hygiene products.

Separately, Ayala Foundation’s volunteers at the CENTEX school in Batangas provided meals for families staying at the Bauan Central School, West Bauan Elementary School, and Manghinao Elementary School on January 16. With its partner, GMA Kapuso Foundation and Manila Water Foundation, they distributed relief items, including hygiene kits, food, and water, to evacuees staying at Alagao Elementary School and Inicbulan Elementary School, also in Bauan.

Similarly, employees of AyalaLand Malls Inc, Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts, and Ayala Land Offices, brought and distributed relief items on January 18 to 248 families in Brgy. San Antonio, Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Donations included sleeping mats, blankets and food items, and were procured through employees’ personal cash donations.

Makati Development Corporation (MDC), the construction arm of Ayala Land Inc., sent relief goods to Batangas on January 20, with donations from employees, partner contractors and suppliers. MDC distributed P1.5 million worth of goods to 235 families in Paaralang Elementarya ng San Antonio in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Relief goods included food items, hygiene kits and sleeping mats. MDC’s in-house medical team conducted free medical check-ups and distributed medicines. A total of 50 employeevolunteers joined the activity, including 10 doctors, five dentists and 20 nurses.

On January 18, 55 volunteers from MDC’s BGC Operations Center distributed 1,500 relief packs containing food and hygiene items in Brgy. Banilad, Nasugbu, Batangas.

Currently, MDC is conducting a cash donation drive where employees can contribute to a fund for future relief initiatives.

On January 15, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) employee volunteers packed relief goods including masks, blankets, sleeping mats, slippers, non-perishable food, clothes, water, medicines and hygienic items and distributed to about 500 families and 3,000 individuals from Lemery, San Nicolas and Agoncillo, who were relocated to Bauan, Batangas.

Part of BPI’s holistic approach to disaster response, an employee-led fundraising initiative is ongoing, wherein funds to be raised will be matched by BPI Foundation. BPI employees started donating on January 20, raising P600,000 in just two days. The employee fund drive will end on February 7, 2020, with the combined amount (raised + matched) to be given to the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF).

Meanwhile, several tankers from Manila Water, and its operating units Laguna Water and South Luzon Water, that were deployed last January 13 continue to deliver water to various evacuation sites and communities in Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna. As of January 20, these were refilled more than 190 times, and have provided over 1,800 cubic meters of water to almost 42,000 individuals.

AC Health has also been proactively providing medical assistance to the affected communities in light of the public health threats caused by the Taal eruption. FamilyDOC has been giving free consultations since January 16, in Laguna (South City and Canlalay in Binan, Rosario Complex, Landayan and Poblacion in San Pedro, and Tagapo, Sta. Rosa) and Cavite (Carmona, Portal Mall in GMA, DiviMart Manggahan and Gov. Ferrer Ave. in Gen. Trias, Sabang, Fatima 2 and Salawag in Dasmarinas, and Bulihan in Silang). Free consultations end on January 31, 2020.

The Ayala group remains alert for the imminent eruption of Taal Volcano and continues to work with relevant LGUs to anticipate and respond to the urgent needs of the displaced communities.

Makati, Philippines – January 14, 2020 The Ayala group sustains its relief efforts to aid the communities hardest hit by the ongoing eruption of Taal Volcano. The incident displaced thousands of Filipinos and has placed Batangas province under a state of calamity.

Yesterday, January 13, 2020, Manila Water dispatched 30 water tanker trucks from its Balara headquarters in Quezon City. Initially, they carried a combined 248 cubic meters of water to 19 evacuation centers in Batangas and Laguna, where they continue to be stationed. These tankers have been refilled thrice by Laguna Water since yesterday. A total of 10,000 evacuees availed of free potable water by filling up containers.

In coordination with the Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (Batangas PDRRMO), Manila Water continues to provide clean drinking water to the evacuation centers in the towns of Sto. Tomas, Tanauan City, Lipa City, Batangas City, San Pascual, San Luis and Cuenca including Tagaytay City and Alfonso in Cavite.

Similarly, Manila Water Foundation distributed 2,000 units of 5-gallon bottles of potable water to Sta. Teresita and Bauan, Batangas where it provided the water needs of the evacuees from the municipalities of Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Laurel, Taal and Talisay. This was done in coordination with partners from Batangas PDRRMO, MMDA, RAF International Forwarding Phils. Inc., GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc., Philippine Air Force 710 SPOW, 730^th Combat Group – Nasugbu, Batangas and Bureau of Fire Protection – Laurel, Batangas and representatives from Barangay Labas.

Meanwhile, Globe Telecom (Globe) has set up five Libreng Tawag and Charging Stations in Cavite (Brgy. Amuyong Covered Court, Bagong Tubig Barangay Hall, Brgy. Kaybagal South Old Rehab Center, and Luksihin National HS in Brgy. Luksuhin) and Batangas (Sto. Tomas City Evacuation Center Poblacion 3) from January 13-16, 2020.  More Libreng Tawag and Charging centers will be set up as the need arises, to help keep people connected during the disaster.

Globe also continues to provide free and unlimited GoWiFi internet connection in all four terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, which cancelled hundreds of flights due to the risk from volcanic ash released by Taal Volcano. Globe is also providing free and unlimited GoWiFi internet connection in select malls in Laguna, Cavite and Batangas. Free GoWiFi will be available until today.

AC Health continues to be on standby to provide medical assistance to those affected by the eruption. All 74 FamilyDOC clinics are open today, i­ncluding branches in affected areas in Cavite and Laguna. As of January 13, 2020, most Generika Drugstore branches are open and ready to serve the public, except for branches in the immediate danger zone in Batangas and Cavite.

Meanwhile, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) branches are open today except for branches in Tagaytay Highway, Tagaytay Ayala Malls Serin, Lemery Batangas and Solenad 3, which are in the immediate danger zone.

The Ayala group continues to work with concerned LGUs to deliver aid to the affected communities. According to the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), the country’s major private sector vehicle and coordinator for disaster risk reduction and management, these communities urgently need the following donations: N95 face masks, food items, sleeping mats, hygiene kits, gensets (and fuel), and more drinking water.

Makati, Philippines – January 13, 2020 Companies across the Ayala group are driving efforts together with concerned LGUs to help provide urgent relief efforts amidst the eruption of Taal Volcano, which started in the afternoon of January 12, 2020.

Manila Water and its other operating units in Laguna and Batangas, in cooperation with Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), has sent a convoy of 30 water tankers to various evacuation centers in Batangas, including Bolbok Provincial Sports Complex, three sites in Tanauan, and one in Sto. Tomas. Twelve tankers are allocated for these sites. Manila Water Foundation is also sending an initial 2,000 five-gallon units of bottled water.

Laguna Water, a joint venture between the Provincial Government of Laguna and Manila Water Philippine Ventures (MWPV), a wholly-owned subsidiary of MWC, has also preemptively evacuated its employees from Silang to its Nuvali Office as of 7:35pm on January 12, 2020.

Ayala Land (ALI) has announced that all Ayala Malls in Metro Manila and Calabarzon have extended the waived overnight parking fee and free WiFi connection on January 13, 2020 to help customers whose vehicles might be affected by the ash fall from Taal Volcano and may need internet connection.

In Ayala Malls Solenad, the cinema building ground floor is open to any customers who are in need of shelter and charging stations.

Meanwhile, Globe Telecom network is up and running at full capacity in all affected areas.

In anticipation of possible adverse health effects related to the Taal eruption, AC Health’s Generika drugstore and FamilyDOC clinics are on high alert to provide medicine, medical supplies, first-aid, and medical consultation. Adverse health effects may include exacerbations of respiratory and skin diseases and eye irritation, among others. Ash fall may also increase the risk of accidents. AC Health reminds the public to remain indoors as much as possible.

More relief efforts are underway as the Ayala group continues to work with relevant LGUs to meet the immediate needs of the affected communities.

Manila, Philippines – November 29, 2019 Ayala Corporation (Ayala) recently hosted the McMicking Wings Awards, a prestigious recognition given yearly to Philippine Air Force (PAF) Flying School graduates with the highest proficiency in pilot training and overall performance rating. Twenty-one of 96 total recipients attended the awarding ceremony held at Ayala Tower One & Exchange Plaza, Makati City.

The McMicking Wings Awards was created by Col. Joseph R. McMicking, the visionary who transformed post-war Makati into the country’s premier Central Business District. He was also a decorated World War II pilot, who in 1939 created this distinction to celebrate excellence amongst the best military pilots in the PAF.

“The much-coveted McMicking Wings worn on an awardees’ right breast remains an honor and a privilege to this day. We are treated with great respect because it is a symbol of excellence. . . The McMicking Wings motivate students in the military pilot training to excel and give their best in carrying out higher responsibility—always in good moral standing to achieve the mission we seek to accomplish,” said BGen. Adelberto F. Yap (Ret.), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), who was the last recipient to be personally awarded by Col. McMicking in 1968.

This year’s only awardee, 2Lt. Realyn G. Janoras, PAF, is the first ever female recipient of the McMicking Wings. Former awardees in attendance included 1949 awardee BGen. Mariano F. Castañeda Jr. (Ret.), AFP, the first McMicking Wings recipient after the war, class 1951 awardee Col. Vicente C. Rivera Jr. (Ret.), PAF, former Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications, and class 1985 awardee Lt. Gen. Salvador Melchor B. Mison Jr., former Vice Chief of Staff of the AFP. 1988 McMicking Wings awardee Lt. Gen. Rozzano D.  Briguez, Commanding General of the PAF, was represented by MGen. Ferdinand M. Cartujano, AFP, Commander of Air Education, Training and Doctrine Command.

“The Ayala group has been a strong advocate of initiatives in support of the Armed Forces… We understand the enormous responsibility you carry in helping secure our peace and security, and we truly appreciate all that you have done for our country,” said Ayala Corporation Chairman & CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala in his welcome address. Zobel is the grandnephew of Col. McMicking, who, he revealed, taught US President Dwight D. Eisenhower how to fly.

Col. McMicking was inducted into the US Air Force from the Philippine Air Force Reserve Corps after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He accompanied Gen. Douglas MacArthur to Corregidor and Australia, and later on, to Leyte with President Sergio Osmeña. He was given the Distinguished Service Star by the Philippine government, while the US government awarded him the Legion of Merit, the Air Medal, the Bronze Star, Distinguished Unit Badge, Pacific Theater Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon and the Philippine Defense Ribbon. He passed away on October 5, 1990 in Sotogrande, Spain.

By continuing the McMicking Wings Awards, Ayala upholds the tradition started by Col. McMicking to pay tribute to the brave men and women of the PAF. It is also a commemorative celebration of Col. McMicking’s legacy and patriotism.

Seated from L to R:
MGen. Ferdinand M. Cartujano, AFP, Commander of Air Education, Training and Doctrine Command
Col. Vicente C. Rivera Jr. (Ret.), PAF, former Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications
Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Corporation Chairman & CEO
BGen. Mariano F. Castañeda AFP (Ret.), McMicking Wings awardee of class 1949, and the first recipient of the award after WWII
Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Corporation President & COO
BGen. Adelberto F. Yap (Ret.), AFP, who was the last recipient to be personally awarded by Col. McMicking in 1968