Manuel M. LopezAs we contemplate on the joys and paradoxes of the season, I would like to thank all of you, our kapamilya in the Lopez Group, for the remarkable year we have had.

Our joys relate to what we have done as a Group, doing right by our customers and delivering on our commitments to our stakeholders. The year was marked by triumphs in various parts of the business.
Energy Development Corporation (EDC) reaped recognition for its record-setting delivery of the Burgos Wind Project from no less than six international award-giving bodies. ABS-CBN maintained its dominance in nationwide ratings, especially in the primetime block, despite phenomenal competition in the latter half of the year. Rockwell Land Corporation continued to expand its portfolio to reach a wider market, while First Philippine Industrial Park developed more land for more locators as demand continued to rise.
The paradoxes relate to the celebration of Christmas. We commemorate the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, in a humble stable with shepherds as his first visitors. The Prince of Peace was born devoid of any earthly wealth and completely dependent on the love of His Holy Mother and the protection of Saint Joseph. In this context, we can see that Jesus chose to become the Holy Child to teach us first humility, and second, that generosity of spirit that allowed Him to give His whole Self to save humanity.
That is what is expected of us in this season of giving and loving. Let us devote this time to being not only with family and friends, and but also with the less fortunate among us who may not have the means to celebrate as well as others. At Christmastime, let us remember that we work not only for ourselves, but to benefit society. We must care enough to extend a hand to those whom we may not know or are simply not very close to us. Only then can we say that Christmas has truly touched our hearts.
Through our honest labors and united endeavors, I trust that we shall continue to be of service to our customers and all our fellow Filipinos, and thereby help move our country onward to sustainable prosperity.
I, together with my wife Maritess, our children and grandchildren, wish you all a very blessed Christmas, a restful vacation and plenty of your most excellent work in the coming New Year.
AMB. Manuel M. Lopez - Chairman, Lopez Group