April 2007 Star maker WONDERING how to strike a happy balance between Hinintay, Basta’t Kasama Kita, Hiram, Gulong ng Palad, harried mothers on one hand and hyperactive kids on the Sa Piling Mo, Panday and Pedro Penduko, variety shows other this summer? Why not give Mom a break and entrust ASAP Mania, MTB, comedy for Yes Yes Show Clown in A the little darlings for a few weeks to the ABS-CBN Center A Million, Yachang, reality shows Star in Million, Star Cir- for Communications Arts Inc. (CCAI), or more popularly cle Quest, Pinoy Big Brother and Pinoy Dream Academy, May bago sa amin...p.3 known as WORKSHOPS@ABS-CBN. among others. They have conducted training for Studio 23 The Company VJ’s, hosts and sportscasters, pageant contestants, and RNG WORKSHOPS@ABS-CBN is the fi rst network-based production staff. Big multi-national companies J&J, P&G, training arm that offers year-round, courses in Performing, Nestle and Unilever and big schools and NGOs have also Broadcast and Media Arts and Self-Development fi elds. tapped them for training. Led by Star Mentor Beverly Vergel and her team, the group Controlling its Destiny provides training to ABS-CBN’s stable of artists, celebri- In the 1970s, ABS-CBN was home to the country’s top ties, TV shows, movie projects, the public, career profes- artists, this distinction the network sought to reclaim in the sionals, business executives, corporate or elite confi dential 1990s after completing much of its post-martial law house- clients, and politicians. cleaning. Kapamilya stars and programs, respected corporate en- “Kapitan: Geny Lopez and the Making of ABS-CBN” tities, have WORKSHOPS@ABS-CBN as a common de- author Paul Rodrigo explains “From the fi nancial stand- nominator. Clients and trainings conducted include movie point, it meant that the network was not in control of a hits like Tanging Yaman, Got 2 Believe, Kailangan Kita, soaps Pangako Sa’yo, Darating ang Umaga, Kay Tagal Kang Turn to page 6 10 industry leaders nagsama-sama ...p.3 ummer sensations S ...p.12 The opening production number of the 2006 Kids Summer Workshop culminating activity. 2 LOPEZLINK April 2007 LOPEZLINK April 2007 3 Lopez Group chairman. Chair Oscar M. Lopez gives his remarks on “Giving Back Lopezes seek reconsideration to Society: Business Com- Rockwell’s triple celebration munity Partnership” during A chronology of events the 28th National Conference ROCKWELL Land Corporation workers waved and cheered atop surrounding greenery in accents leled magnificence after a decade of of Employers organized by the elevated the property sector to Joya’s North Tower. and shadows! progressive development. of decision on EPCIB shares WHEN martial law was declared in 1972, Eugenio “Geny” influential Employers Con- stratospheric heights during an The excitement turned up a Padilla led the time-honored Cocktails were served at the Lopez Jr. was arrested by the military. At that time, the former federation of the Philippines event last March 21, 2007. It was notch as the group headed towards ribbon-cutting ceremony with lobby, where guests admired the FIRST Philippine Holdings intimidation, violence or un- my board was replaced after claims can be asserted at all; Meralco Securities Corporation (MSC, now FPHC) controlled (ECOP) held at The Manila an affair to remember as the com- the site of Number One Rockwell. Nancy Padilla, Connie Lopez and brightly-colored murals that show- Corporation (FPHC) ques- due influence. Thus, the court the Lopezes regained control and that the matter of whether 30% of PCI Bank. Hotel. Lopez shared the body pany marked three milestones—the A short blessing was led by Fr. Nene Lichauco. Brothers Oscar and cased latest Rockwell developments, topping off of residential gem Joya Genaro Diwa which was followed Manolo Lopez reminisced about the as well as Rockwell’s glowing tioned the decision of the said FPHC should have chal- of FPHC. The new board took FPHC can still recover the In 1973, Eugenio Lopez Sr. was forced to sign a sale agree- of experiences with communi- Sandiganbayan to dismiss lenged the transaction by May steps to recover the shares, shares involves factual issues ties over generations of the Towers & Lofts, the groundbreak- by the ceremonial lowering of the early beginnings of Rockwell and scale model, a master plan nearing ment allowing the then Ferdinand Marcos-controlled Meralco ing of much anticipated Number time capsule led by Padilla. The marveled at the center’s unparal- completion. (Vienn Tionglico) even before trial its claim to a 24, 1988. FPHC filed the claim including filing the Dec. 28, that could properly be resolved Foundation to take over MSC and its shares in PCI Bank. In Lopez Family and the Lopez Group of Companies before One Rockwell and the inaugura- group was joined by Architect. block of Equitable-PCI Bank about seven months after the 1998 action. only after a trial. 1984, the MSC holdings in PCI Bank were transferred to the tion of the posh new Rockwell Oscar Salvacion of Design Coor- (EPCIB) shares registered in alleged deadline, on December FPHC also countered that Earlier, FPHC had to go hundreds of delegates to the Romualdez-controlled TMEE. conference. Information Center. dinates, Inc., Engineer Jeff Earl of the name of Trans Middle East 28, 1988. it could not have filed the case to the Supreme Court to order After February 1986, the Presidential Commission on Festivities started at 4pm as One Zone Asia (Philippines), Inc., (Phils.) Equities (TMEE). However, the Supreme during the Marcos years due the Sandiganbayan to allow it Good Government (PCGG) sequestered these shares on Rockwell executives, employees Alan Hearn of Davis Langdon & The Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Court has held that if a con- to intimidation, violence or to pursue the case. The San- the allegation that they were part of Romualdez’s ill-gotten and VIP guests were treated to Seah Philippines, Inc., Architect Ar- Division said that the FPHC tract is alleged to be void from undue influence; this was the diganbayan order of dismissal wealth. In 1988, FPHC filed a claim for the PCI Bank shares, a magnificent view as they were len de Guzman of APDG Designs taken up the 46th floor of Joya’s Associates Co., Engineer Wilson lawsuit was filed too late. the beginning, there is no four- case with Meralco and ABS- is seen to further delay the asserting that ownership was wrested from it by force, power, TMEE, which is controlled year prescription period. The CBN, which were seized in prosecution of FPHC’s claim A better bayan South Tower to witness its topping- Sy of Aromin, Sy & Associates, threats and intimidation. by the family of former Leyte action to declare the contract 1973, but claims were filed af- against a wrongful disposses- off ceremony. Lopez Group chair- Inc., Architect David Zaballero of The Supreme Court in 1996 upheld FPHC’s right to inter- man Oscar M. Lopez, Rockwell Arquitectonica, and Architect Jun governor Benjamin “Kokoy” void does not prescribe. ter the 1986 Edsa Revolution. sion of its EPCIB shares. vene in the sequestration proceedings on the shares. In 2003, Land chairman Manuel M. Lopez Rodriguez of Pimentel Rodriguez Romualdez, acquired the shares FPHC asserts that the FPHC stressed that the is- FPHC will file for reconsid- the Sandiganbayan lifted the sequestration of the shares but for a better life and Rockwell president Nestor J. Simbulan & Partners. on May 24, 1984. The Civil contract is void from the be- sue is not whether the judiciary eration with the Sandiganbayan required that the shares be held in escrow until true ownership IN a highly competitive market where con- Padilla led the topping off rites The affair continued with Code gives a four-year period ginning because of the lack of during the Marcos years could or, if necessary, a petition for was determined. sumers are often taken for granted, Bayan with Bel-Air barangay captain the inauguration and blessing The Groundbreaking of Number One Rockwell was led by (from left to to move for the annulment of consent—the approving board render justice to the claims of certiorari before the Supreme In October 2005, there were newspaper reports that Martin Telecommunications differs by focusing Nene Lichauco, Rockwell director of Rockwell’s new Information right) Architect Oscar Salvacion of Design Coordinates, Inc., Engr. Jeff on customer satisfaction. Bayan unveils a a contract on the grounds of was a dummy board. The dum- the Lopezes, but whether the Court. (Nicole Carlos) Romualdez, son of Benjamin, withdrew P138 million repre- Jose Guingona, First Philippine Center which houses the execu- Earl of One Zone Asia (Philippines), Inc., Jay Lopez, Rockwell Land new brand identity signaling their drive to Holdings VP Benjamin Lopez and tive offices and sales and market- senting cash dividends and profit sharing from the disputed President Nestor J. Padilla, Lopez Group of Companies Chairman bring in customer-driven communication Mrs. Maritess Lopez as witnesses. ing. Made largely out of clear-cut Oscar M. Lopez, Barangay Captain Nene Lichauco, Mr. Alan Hearn shares. FPHC filed an urgent motion to require EPCIB (PCI solutions to improve the lives of Filipinos. The crowd gathered with delight, glass, the new Information Center of Davis Langdon & Seah Philippines, Inc., Arch. Arlen de Guzman Bank was acquired by Equitable Bank in 1999) to explain Bayan strives to deliver quality products as the ceremony concluded with a was a sight to behold, as warm of APDG Designs Associates Co. , Engr. Wilson Sy of Aromin, Sy & First Gen eyes more Napocor plants the reported release of dividends when these shares were sup- and services, while keeping them clear and colorful outburst of balloons and lights showed off the tastefully Associates, Inc.