L-R: Bapi Lopez Roy, son of Gina Lopez; Roberta Lopez-Feliciano, sister of Gina Lopez; Eugenio Lopez III, ABS-CBN chairman emeritus; Karen Coloma, Licensing head; Cory Vidanes, COO-Broadcast; Cedie Lopez Vargas, member of the ALKFI board of trustees; Ging Reyes, ABS-CBN Integrated News & Current Affairs head; Rina Lopez Bautista, KCFI president; Susan Afan, ALKFI managing director; and Dr. Maria Luisa Puyat, member of the ALKFI board of trusteesABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc. (ALKFI) renamed its building Gina Lopez Building in honor of its late chairperson and founder of ALKFI programs Bantay Bata 163 and Bantay Kalikasan.

In his speech, Eugenio Lopez III (EL3), ABS-CBN chairman emeritus, shared personal memories of his sister:

“This building holds a lot of memories of my sister Gina. This is where she spent more than 25 years (as the) managing director and chairman… This is where she dreamed of making Filipino children smarter and safe, the environment evergreen and protected, and families comforted in times of their greatest need. She did not only dream… she made them all happen here. (Gina lived for) love for country, for children, for the environment and, most of all, God.”

EL3 added: “This is a beautiful reminder of how a selfless soul… can make a huge difference by truly being in the service of the Filipino.”

Noting that it was the sixth month since GL’s passing, ALKFI managing director Susan Afan said: “It’s a good time for us to rededicate our building. It’s also a chance for the foundation to recommit our service to the Filipino people now that we’re entering the new decade.”

Gina Lopez Building houses the different ALKFI programs: Sagip Kapamilya, Bantay Bata 163 and Bantay Kalikasan. The foundation implements projects via multi-sectoral partnerships in childcare and protection, education, environment, disaster management and community development. 

ALKFI celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. (Story/Photos by: Helen de Castro)