Lopez Holdings EVP Miguel L. LopezLopez Group chairman Manuel M. Lopez (MML) asked top Lopez Group executives at the annual budget conference on January 28 to “continue reaching out to victims (displaced in Taal and environs) with whatever means at our disposal.”

In remarks read on his behalf by Lopez Holdings Corporation executive vice president Miguel L. Lopez, MML noted the Lopez Group’s efforts to assist victims through ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya and member companies operating near the area such as First Gen Corporation, First Philippine Industrial Park and Rockwell Land Corporation.

He also gave credit to “everyone working together” for meeting targets set in the past year, even as the current year brings with it much uncertainty.

With respect to the expiring broadcast franchise of ABSCBN Corporation, MML said: “While we know that ABSCBN can and will recover, we cannot impose the longer-term view on others. The most we can do is inspire confidence through frank communication. We must model to all those who work with us how to remain steadfast. Let us show them that we are still doing our jobs well and consistently despite the hammering blows from the outside,” MML said.

“Let us continue producing values-laden programs that engage and inspire our fellow Filipinos all over the world. Let’s continue producing clean and renewable energy in the most efficient way possible. Let’s continue building smart light industrial and residential communities and urban havens. Our situation today is nothing new. In the past, I have seen the Lopez Group pummeled to the ground, and I have seen it rise again every time,” MML concluded.

Proud to embrace our mission

In his remarks at the end of the conference, ABS-CBN chairman Mark Lopez (MLL) said ABS-CBN is committed to continue helping those displaced by the Taal volcano eruption “all the way to the rehabilitation phase.”

“We recognize that man does not live on bread alone, our displaced kapamilya also need food for their minds and souls. In addition to psychological first aid, a host of our contract artists, on their own, have volunteered to perform for the victims in their own time or along with Sagip Kapamilya distribution schedules… We will continue to do this with or without a franchise because our mission is to be in the service of the Filipino worldwide. We believe we will continue to be a trusted conduit for our Kapamilya audiences worldwide for their contributions and donations because they themselves see where their donations go when coursed through ABS-CBN.”

As for the franchise, MLL said: “It takes a lot of humility to accept that we can do all things right, and still things can go very wrong. This is because not everything is under our control. This is part of doing business. This is part of the risk of doing things right, without compromising our values, without losing sight of our vision and mission to serve our Kapamilya.”

Saying “This, too, shall pass,” MLL said the Lopez Group would be able to “take pleasure at some future time” in recalling current struggles because “no matter what suffering we undergo, I know we will stay true to who we are and to our values… I am certain the day will come when we will look back to today… and say, ‘We are proud we stood firm to being in the service of the Filipino, no matter the adversity imposed upon us. We are proud we embraced our mission at a time when the cost to serve was severe. We are proud we came out stronger, better and more committed to serve the Filipino whom we love.’”

He thanked fellow Kapamilya for standing by ABS-CBN during this phase in its journey. (Story/Photos by: Carla Paras-Sison)

ABS-CBN chairman Mark Lopez