March 2008 MERALCO’S 105 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE: Record Breaking Performance Come and join MERALCOlympics 2008 on March 7, 2008 to celebrate and pay tribute to Meralco’s 105 years of rich history and leadership in the industry. Available online at www.benpres.holdings.com See story on page 2 THE POWER AND THE GLORY Indelible ‘Chronicle’ The who’s who of Philippine journalism gathered at Group pointed out that more than being “home to so the Rockwell Club’s Palm Grove on February 7, 2008 many talented people,” the Chronicle had an important to witness the fulfi llment of a cherished dream, a major historical role as “both recorder and actor in some of the enterprise that its No. 1 backer, Lopez Group chairman most signifi cant moments of Philippine history.” Oscar M. Lopez (OML), said he wanted to see completed For instance, the Chronicle broke the “What are we in “before we all keel over.” power for?” expose that brought down Senate President The launch of The Power and the Glory: The Story of Jose Avelino in 1949. Under Eugenio “Geny” Lopez Jr.’s the Manila Chronicle (1945-1998) was the clarion call watch as publisher, the paper tangled—to devastating that drew them. They were from different generations effect on the Lopez family—with the dictator Ferdinand and incarnations of the Chronicle, but were bound by Marcos on the issues of corruption, hidden wealth and the distinction of being titans among titans: Amando absolute rule in the 1970s. Doronila, Eggie Apostol, Rod Reyes, Carmen Guerrero The Chronicle was home to four Filipino winners Nakpil, Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte, Benjamin of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism (Zac Defensor, Vergel Santos, Baby Orosa, Paulynn Sicam, Sarian, Raul Locsin, Sheila Coronel and Apostol) and Gemma Cruz Araneta and a lot more. other top journalists, editors, photographers and artists. Lopez breaks Against a backdrop of black and white photos “In a sense, what we are celebrating…is the spirit ground in PMA... page 2 depicting scenes from the Chronicle newsroom and that made the Manila Chronicle a great newspaper. We pivotal national events interspersed with portraits of are celebrating the quality of excellence in journalism, of Chronicle editors, OML greeted former associates as dedication to the craft and the unwavering commitment he reprised one of his fi rst assignments in the Lopez to the principle of free expression, of freedom of the Group—as journalist and publisher. press as the cornerstone of our democracy,” he noted. In his welcome speech, the chair of the Lopez Turn to page 6 Pioneers and big names in Phillipine journalism gathered at the launch of “The Power and the Glory”. L-R: Vergel Santos, VP Noli de Castro, Oscar M. Lopez, Rod Reyes, Amando Doronilla, Benjie Defensor and author Raul Rodrigo Group bags 11 Anvil Awards ABS-CBN wins Bronze...page 4 Turn to page 6 Graduation fi nds at Rockwell...page 12 lopezlink.indd 1 2/29/08 10:21:47 AM 2 LOPEZLINK March 2008 Meralco celebrates 105th Anniversary As the world eagerly awaits the start Competitions pitting the Shared, from the Awarding Ceremony BayanDSL goes beyond of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Supply, Network & Subsidiary for the different winners of the Beijing, China, Meralco is kicking groups of the company. In various games, there will be a off its own celebration of the 105th keeping with the times, a Meralco- Tribute to Meralco Linemen, the the downloads Anniversary and Employees Week version of the hit game show Gawad Haydee Yorac Award, the Two to three day blackouts, IP Blocks, and then bayanDSL is part of the maverick by patterning the theme with the entitled One Versus 105 will also Service Awards for employees, the when you do fi nally get a connection, it’s in the telecommunications company’s line of customer- quadrennial games. be featured, with game master par Corporate Rites which recognizes wee hours of the morning when you’d rather sleep driven communication solutions. It offers a As the PBR (Performance Based excellence Edu Manzano doing the company’s model citizens, than start chatting---at this rate, you wouldn’t competitive package rates, exciting promos and Regulation) regime is already in hosting duties. A Meralco Photo a Testimonial Dinner with be surprised if DSL actually stood for Defective Speed-On-Demand which doubles your DSL effect, “MERALCOlympics 2008” Contest and the WIT & PRIME Outstanding Employees, and the Slow Line than Digital Subscriber Line. speed anytime you need it. emphasizes the need and serves as Inhouse Conventions will also be Night of the Tribute to the women You see, beyond downloads, unreliable Because Bayan’s focus is on customer a primer for employees to deliver held to highlight the artistry and executives of Meralco who have DSL connections also lead to unsent important satisfaction, it’s the fi rst and only the best performance possible in creativity of Meralco employees helped transform the formerly business emails, unfi nished school projects and telecommunications company to guarantee quality a competitive and deregulated and departments. male-dominated company through constantly interrupted conversations between service on its voice and data services. bayanDSL environment. With the tagline As with any Meralco their own brand of wit, candor, you and your family members abroad. And as comes not only with a 15-day Money Back “105 Years of Excellence: Record Employees’ Week celebration, the passion, and work ethic. a company that understands the importance of Guarantee but a 24-Hour Quick Service Guarantee Breaking Performance”, the 2008 family of the employees, and the As a responsible corporate a reliable DSL connection, Bayan ensures that as well. celebration also aims to pay general public are also treated to citizen, Meralco will also take this you have communications options that you can “bayanDSL tribute to all Meralco employees, enjoy the weeklong celebrations. opportunity to show its support actually count on. offers so much for their hardwork, malasakit, and For them, the Appliance Fair, of the campaigns of the DOE “At Bayan, we always say ‘Gaganda pa ang more than dedication to the company, while Karnabal sa Obal, Kiddie Show, (Department of Energy). With buhay’ and that’s because we mean it,” says John technology. revisiting the company’s 105 years Tiangge, The Game Room, its advocacy of clean energy Rojo, Head of Marketing Services and Corporate It could land of rich history. Cinemania (free movies), and and energy effi ciency campaign, Communications. “That’s why we’re giving you that The celebration starts with Chess Exhibition Games. The 105 Meralco will be showcasing its own Filipinos Bayan’s array of business deal opening ceremonies on March 07, years history of Meralco will also electric jeep during the festivities, communications or talk to 2008 reminiscent of Olympics from be highlighted through the exhibits and this jeep will be dispatched and data services your dad that ages past. There will be a Lighting of the Meralco Photo Contest to do non-stop, marathon-like starting with hasn’t been of the Torch, the unveiling of the entries, the CSRO (Corporate shuttling services between venues bayanDSL.” able to come 105th Anniversary Banner and Social Responsibility Offi ce) as it within the compound. home from the the switching on of the Lights and looks back at its evolution through Finally, capping the whole States. What it really gives you is a better life,” Sounds Display. the years, and the Meralco Shining Olympic-themed celebration is adds Rojo. The following activities have Moments of photos of Meralco’s a Street Party with Fireworks Through its unparalleled quality of been lined up in the tradition of the defi ning moments during times of Display and Celebrity Guests on communications services and customer satisfaction Olympic motto of “Citius, Altius, calamities and crises. A theatrical the evening of Saturday, March programs, Bayan continues to improve the lives Fortius” (Faster, Higher, Stronger): play “Sulyap sa Kahapon, 15, 2008, a banquet which is a and weblives of Filipinos. (Freyja D. Santos) Lineman’s Rodeo, Lineman Pagtanaw sa Hinaharap” will go fi tting tribute to all the men and Olympics, Fire Brigade, Fun back in time to reenact milestones women of Meralco, as well as their Run, A-MACE-ing Race, Kiddie- in Meralco’s history. families, victors all for sharing in lympics, Interschool Basketball No Olympic celebration will 105 years of service excellence. & Volleyball Competitions, and be complete without the awarding (Ritzi V. Ronquillo) the highly charged Cheering ceremonies and tributes. Aside Text speak no more Magin f DIS ntyr RtikL iz RitN we are giving Filipinos their two phones for as low as Php n txt spk lIk DIS. U problE wud voice back.” 2,495. hav stopped rEDN alredi & The maverick telecommuni- “What we want is when PMA’s new Lopez Hall of Leaders turnD d pg 2 d comics sectN cuz cations company’s power packed something funny happens while evry sNteNc n d RtikL iz lIk an wireless landline telephone serv- you’re in the mall or at your Lopez Group executives went up to Baguio to witness give way to the Lopez Hall of Leaders. The multi- ntrplanetry 4m of cmUnik8shn ice, Bayan Wireless Landline of- favorite coffee shop, you’d pick the groundbreaking ceremonies led by Philippine purpose hall will also serve as venues for “ring-hops”, onlE alienz uz. fers an unlimited calling feature up your BWL, give your family Military Academy (PMA) Superintendent General conferences and other activities. Its 660 square meter- If you can read this text, that is sure to mum fi ngers all or friends a call to laugh your Leopoldo Maligalig, Lopez Group chairman Oscar Main Hall, which among other functions, can be either you’re a small, green over the country from excessive heart out,” says Fafunwa.