Ambassador Manuel M. LopezAs we celebrate the holidays with our loved ones, let us remember to give thanks for the blessings the year has brought us.

For me, I am most grateful for the opportunity to serve our kababayan in Japan especially during a most trying year, visited by natural and man-made calamities, crises and unforeseen challenges. I am happy to be on hand to support our fellow Filipinos as they strive to rebuild their lives and recover from losses suffered due to the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant incident in Northern Japan.

I am also grateful for all the support I have received from you, my kapamilya in the Lopez Group. Although I have been away for most of the year, I know that you have faithfully done your fair share of work to keep our companies united in the service of our many stakeholders.

Indeed, you have met our customers’ expectations, whether they rely on our power plants for electricity; on our media group for news and entertainment; on our communication segment for telephone, broadband and cable service; on our manufacturing facilities for solar and utility output; or on our property and infrastructure units for their homes and factories. I am truly encouraged by your hard work.

Needless to say, next year is expected to remain challenging not just for our businesses, but for the country and the world economy as a whole. But learning from what we have accomplished this year in the Group, I am confident that the various companies can ably pursue their respective strategies and remain relevant in their chosen markets.

Finally, I am grateful for the new addition to our family, Luis, born to Beaver and Jackie in November. Every grandchild brings such great joy to me, as each one embodies God’s grace and infinite love for a family.

From Maritess, my children and grandchildren, our sincere wishes of a meaningful Christmas and new year filled with hope and cheer!

AMB. MANUEL M. LOPEZ
Chairman, Lopez Group