Regina Paz LaO Lopez is the managing director of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc., chairman emeritus of the Southeast Asian Foundation for Children’s Television and a trustee of Children’s Hour. Last year, she was appointed by Pres. Aquino to head the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission. Lopez attended Assumption College and later took up liberal arts at the Newton College of the Sacred Heart in Massachusetts. She has two sons, Benjamin and Roberto.

Gina Lopez is not one to set goals that are very easy to achieve. On the contrary, what appeals to her are ambitious, difficult projects that promise to make a significant impact on the lives of Filipinos.

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Stories of the Lopezes’ generosity and care for employees are abundant and well-known. Trusted executives and longtimers attest to that. But what is more remarkable is that such treatment extends to all employees, including the rank and file.

Mario Bactol, who started as an elevator attendant employed by Servicio Filipino, an agency servicing Meralco, is living and breathing proof. In his 26 years with the Lopez Group, 51-year-old Bactol has loads of stories about the Lopez generosity.

“Since no work, no pay ako, pumapasok ako kahit may coup, kahit may bagyo (Since I don’t get paid if I don’t work, I report for work even when there are coups d’ etat, even during typhoons),” he narrates.

It was in one of these instances when Amb. Manuel M. Lopez, then Meralco’s president, noticed him.

“Minsan may bagyo, pumasok pa rin ako. Nakita ako ni Amb. Lopez at pinauwi niya ako (Once during a storm, I still reported for work. Amb. Lopez saw me and asked me go home,” Bactol recalls.

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