Welcome back!

I have read all the emails you sent over the holiday break and am very touched by the heartwarming messages you sent. I have just had a most enjoyable holiday with my children and 23 grandchildren. Having everyone under one roof is indeed a happy and pleasantly riotous experience. At this stage of my life, you can imagine how much i appreciate such moments with the people I love.

I am sure all of you had similar experiences during the holidays. Busy as we are for the rest of the year, it is this time when spouses and children and maybe for the older ones, grandchildren take center stage in our lives. I truly hope that you enjoyed the holidays as much as I did.

While we were on break, the newspapers reported that most Filipinos are optimistic about the future. This is no doubt driven by political changes we voted for during the past year. But being optimistic is not nearly enough. We all have to do a lot more to make sure our optimism is well founded.

We have to all contribute our share of action to realize our dreams and aspirations. This new year will no doubt bring a lot of new things for us — as part of the Lopez Group and as citizens of this country. The momentum for growth is there. Let us make sure we use it for our advantage.

In the meantime, I want you to expect to hear more from me as your Chairman Emeritus. By mid-January we will launch my blog Oscar’s Summit as my way of reaching out to everyone and for everyone to share with me your thoughts on practically anything you have on your minds. I am new to this high tech method of communication so please bear with me. While I have no intention of being another Lola Techie, I am excited at the prospect of being closer to everyone in the Lopez Group in the true Kapamilya spirit.

A Happy New Year to everyone.