PH and FPIP president Giles Puno discusses FPH’s and Mazda’s aligned visions at the latter’s media appreciation event in BGCFebruary 16, 2025 was truly a Sunday to remember for First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) as it hosted a breakfast ride with a view for Miata Club Philippines (MCP), the country’s longestrunning single-model car club.

Every month, MCP gathers for “Cars and Coffee,” a tradition that fuels their passion for cars, good food and great company. With nearly 50 MX5 enthusiasts led by Mazda president and chief executive officer Steven Tan, the air was filled with roaring engines and lively conversations.

FPIP president Giles Puno, the proud owner of three Miatas and an active MCP member since 2000, gave the guests a warm welcome, highlighting what makes FPIP special.

Committed to regeneration

In his brief introduction, Puno, also the president of First Philippine Holdings Corporation (FPH), shared how FPIP is home to worldclass locators that help drive economic growth and create around 80,000 quality jobs for Filipinos. And despite being an industrial hub, it remains committed to regeneration and decarbonization by ensuring the preservation of its green spaces as it continues to progress.

The morning kicked off with a breakfast feast of Batangueño delicacies, offering guests a taste of the province’s rich culinary flavors. They indulged in soft, delicate puto from Ninay’s; sweet, flaky coconut pie from The Original Buko Pie; and bonete bread. The spread also featured kesong puti and coconut juice served straight from the shell. Of course, no Batangueño breakfast would be complete without a cup of bold Barako coffee.

The group then fired up their engines and set out on a scenic drive around FPIP, with the majestic Mt. Makiling towering in the background. Starting from Consuelo Park, the FPIP team took them to an exciting route, passing by tree-lined roads and the impressive factories of locators like Collins Aerospace, Brother Industries (Philippines) Inc. and Philippine Manufacturing Co. of Murata. They caught a glimpse of the upcoming FPIP Plaza before ending the drive at FPIP’s iconic solarpowered bridge.

Aligned visions

After the successful event at FPIP, MCP invited Puno to speak at Mazda’s media appreciation get-together at the Manila House in Bonifacio Global City on Feb. 20.

The decision to host MCP’s “Cars and Coffee” at FPIP became an opportunity to highlight how FPH’s and Mazda’s visions align.

According to Puno, although operating in different industries, Mazda and FPH face the need to achieve a netzero carbon emission position by 2050 to prevent irreversible catastrophe and play pivotal roles in battling climate change. “While both industries are major sources of carbon emissions, both are also now undergoing significant transformational shifts towards cleaner alternatives,” he said.

Spurring positive change

Puno added: “Both Mazda and FPH are in strong positions that can spur positive change in similar ways: by continuing to find ways to reduce their carbon footprint, focus on driving innovation and providing customers with better options. And above all, continuing to grow as just and regenerative businesses. But the role of both companies is clear: in their own ways, each must help drive the urgent transition towards a decarbonized and regenerative future. There is no time to lose.”

In 2020, FPH refined its mission statement to reflect its commitment to addressing the growing concerns of the climate crisis: “To forge collaborative pathways to a decarbonized and regenerative future.”

“At FPH, we believe that it is only by decarbonizing our business operations and regenerating our ecological systems that we are able to ensure that future generations can still inherit a livable planet. In other words, when everyone is given the opportunity to thrive on a healthy planet, only then will it truly be good enough,” Puno said.

Dozens of Mazda MX-5 owners made their way to FPIP for the February edition of ‘Cars and Coffee’

(Story by:Charizze Henson)