The LAA team with FPH chair Federico R. LopezThese scenes played out during the 2012 cycle Lopez Achievement Awards` (LAA) ceremony and reception at the Rockwell Tent on October 11. The huffing and puffing of typhoon Santi proved futile in dampening the enthusiasm to meet the newest Lopez Group achievers, the exalted ones who now possess the coveted LAA trophies.

LGFI’s Operations head Angela Lopez Guingona leads the recitation of the Lopez CredoThe afternoon began with the recitation of the Lopez Credo led by Angela Lopez, head of Operations of Lopez Group Foundation Inc. First Philippine Holdings Corporation (FPH) chairman Federico R. Lopez (FRL) in his opening remarks, recalled how Lopezes, from his grandfather Eugenio Lopez Sr. to ABSCBN chairman Eugenio Lopez III (EL3), had tangled with presidents through the decades, resulting in grievous hits on various Lopez businesses when they retaliated.

But the application of the seven Lopez Values—pioneering entrepreneurial spirit, business excellence, unity, nationalism, integrity, social justice, and employee welfare and wellness—would time and again see the Group through, allowing it to “succeed and prevail over any odds.”

FPRC president Oscar R. Lopez Jr. and ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. managing director Gina Lopez introduce the special awardeesIntersection of good values, good business

“…The many nominees and winners we have are just a few such examples that show us the intersection where good values and good business can meet. Our purpose with the Lopez Achievement Awards is to shine as bright a light as we can on those stars, to help you navigate what will oftentimes be a difficult journey ahead,” FRL said.
Lopez Holdings VP Pinky Diokno and IiP’s Gerry Plana present the semifinalists The first trophies of the afternoon were presented by FPH vice president and First Philippine Realty Corporation president Oscar R. Lopez Jr. and ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. managing director Gina Lopez. The five special awardees— Bayan, First Philippine Industrial Park, Rockwell Land Corporation, First Gen Corporation and Lopez Holdings Corporation—were handpicked by the Lopez family for their “outstanding achievements in their ventures” (see sidebar story).

Mike Lopez, VP for Corporate Communications of Lopez Holdings, introduced the 36 members of the screening committee and panel of judges as well as the 25 nominees in the six categories of the awards program. FRL and Orchestra of the Filipino YouthEL3 personally handed out the trophies to the winning teams (see sidebar story).

Adherence to Lopez Values

The inspirational message of Oscar M. Lopez (OML) was delivered on his behalf by HR Council chair and Lopez Museum executive director Cedie Lopez Vargas. The chairman emeritus pointed out that the survival and longevity of the Group ultimately rests on adherence to the Lopez Values.

“If our businesses are to survive and prosper into the next four or five hundred years, as they have over the past eighty years, it can only be by rendering valuable service to society, by contributing to the betterment of societyFPH Music Icons Rene Espinosa and James Lee jam with Gary Valenciano; and by protecting and preserving the environment in which we live. And the only way to assure that we do this is by adhering to our Lopez Values, which have stood the test of time and have always served us well,” OML stressed.

To the LAA winners, OML said: “Keep up your good work and feed your passion for excellence, for there is so much for us to do as we build a better future for all Filipinos.”

In his closing remarks, EL3 apologized for “all the crying ABS-CBN people do.” Turning serious, the ABS-CBN chairman cited the winners for their “amazing stories.” He also emphasized that the LAA reinforced the culture and values that matter to the Lopez Group.

Criteria adjustment

The Lopezes enjoy the showBeginning this cycle, the LAA criteria were adjusted to increase the weight assigned to the demonstration of the Lopez Values, which is now 40%. The exceptionality of the achievement, meanwhile, was assigned 20%.

“The adjustment makes judging harder because values don’t lend themselves to metrics so easily; it makes the interview process, the screening process and the judging process a bit more difficult. The winners all exemplified what makes the Lopez Group the Lopez Group, which is the Values,” said Benjamin K. Liboro on the sidelines of the awarding.
ABS-CBN Publishing Inc. president Ernie Lopez, with KC Concepcion, was a hit as emcee
He also commended the LAA team composed of Beth Canlas, Amy Agaton, Kara Gandionco and Billie Andrada for this year’s “wonderful and enjoyable” awarding ceremony.

“I guess we were rewarded because all the celebrities showed up… and Ernie [Lopez] made a great emcee. The idea is we should be together celebrating and having fun even if it’s a serious award,” the Lopez Group Business Excellence program director said. He added: “We’ll see if we can match it next year.”