Lopez Group chairman Manuel M. LopezLopez Group chairman Manuel M. Lopez (MML) told top Lopez Group executives at the annual budget conference on January 30 that a lot of work awaits them in the new year despite milestone wins in 2017.

MML cited the presidential proclamation of Rockwell Business Center (RBC)—Sheridan as an economic zone under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, the power supply agreement signed by Meralco with First NatGas Power Corporation for the output of the San Gabriel power plant, the entry of Philippine Renewable Energy Holdings Corporation (PREHC) as a significant investor in Energy Development Corporation, and the nationwide ratings lead maintained by ABS-CBN Corporation among the positive developments for the Group in 2017.
“The entry of PREHC as a partner in EDC is most welcome, not only because it brought substantial cash into First Gen, but also because it gives international credibility to the clean energy portfolio we have chosen, one that is consistent with our values,” MML said.
“Nonetheless, there is much to do in terms of strategizing, managing risk and building alliances,” MML added.
ances,” MML added. He also announced that publicly listed Lopez Holdings Corporation and privately held Lopez Inc. will soon be moving to RBC— Sheridan. First Philippine Holdings Corporation has marked the Benpres Building for redevelopment. The building served as headquarters of the Lopez Group and home of the Lopez Museum and Library for more than 30 years.
MML said he trusts that everyone is “already firing on all cylinders to create value for our stakeholders.”
The Lopez Group will rise
Lopez Holdings vice chairman and ABS-CBN Corporation chairman Eugenio Lopez III (EL3) said the Group must be “unequivocally clear” about what it stands for, to be true to its heritage of 90 years. The Lopez Group was founded in 1928 as E&F Enterprises by the Lopez brothers Eugenio Sr. and Fernando, the former Vice President of the Philippines.
EL3 was referring to the Lopez Values which have guided the family and their group of companies in the conduct of business. In particular, he underscored the need to be faithful to the mission of serving the Filipino authentically and lovingly to continue building relationships founded on emphathy.
“We know we must do what is right and what is right is to continue to be in the service of the Filipino.... The challenges we face as executives of the Lopez Group have always been unique. It is not enough for us to do a good job…we have to make a special effort to endear ourselves to our customers. If you work with us, you’d have to work harder than anyone,” EL3 said.
He quoted from the poem “Still I Rise” by American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou. It is an empowering poem about the struggle to overcome prejudice and injustice, and is intended to give hope to people in times of crisis.

The portion of the poem EL3 quoted goes: “You may write me down in history/With your bitter, twisted lies/You may trod me in the very dirt/But still, like dust, I’ll rise…/You may shoot me with your words/ You may cut me with your eyes/You may kill me with your hatefulness/ But still, like air, I’ll rise…/I am the dream and the hope of the slave/I rise/I rise/I rise.”
The Lopez Values are as follows: a pioneering entrepreneurial spirit, business excellence, unity, nationalism, integrity, social justice and employee wellness. In the end, what is important is to hold fast to the mission of service and to the Values, which define the Lopez Group’s character in good times and in bad.

Lopez Holdings vice chairman and ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio Lopez III