THE Ayala Young Leaders Congress (AYLC) convened last July 2 for the first time in hybrid format comprising a month-long online engagement with face-to-face activities for delegates converging in three areas: Clark, Pampanga; Nuvali in Laguna, and Cebu City.
The initial session featured re-elected Senator Risa Hontiveros, followed by a national situationer by Asian Development Bank Government Specialist and AYLC 2006 alumna Czarina Medina-Guce.
The Ayala Young Leaders Congress is a concrete expression of the Ayala Group's commitment to national development. It is the keystone of "Shaping Tomorrow's Leaders," the youth leadership development program launched in 1998 by the Ayala group of companies as a strategic investment in the youth, and ultimately, in the future of the country. Ayala's dream is to nurture a community and form a network of values-based and principled Filipino leaders committed passionately to nation building and to uplifting the lives of their fellow Filipinos.
Speaking before the 84 participants, Senator Hontiveros enumerated four lessons that she learned from her experience as a lawmaker and throughout her journey, which began when she was a student leader. "It is okay not to be okay. Failure is part of success. Know yourself. Work with others despite the differences."
"Seeing all of you, our young leaders, making strides to change the world, makes me feel hopeful... We need more young people like you to speak up, who will get involved in policy decisions that will affect you for the years to come. We need more people like you to join us and to lead us as we overcome challenges we face as a nation," Hontiveros said.
In his opening message, Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Ayala President and CEO, said: "We hope that all 84 of you will learn from each other, challenge each other towards excellence, and establish unbreakable bonds of fellowship that will be critical in addressing persistent big issues that the country continues to face.... Always keeps in mind the mission of putting the welfare and well-being of our fellow Filipinos first and foremost."
AYLC Program Director Jaime Urquijo added his counsel: "Your idealism, creativity, adaptability, agility, innovation, and the ability to go beyond will eventually empower you to enlist others to tackle these many challenges with you. As you go through your AYLC experience for the next few weeks, we hope that you see the power of small steps that you will take in your own leadership journeys."
Ayala Public Affair Group Head Rene Almendras moderated the initial session.
A center for performing arts in Makati
In partnership with Samsung Philippines, Ayala Land (ALI) is officially opening this week the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati which aims to bring shows back onstage in a new and very accessible venue.
Built to celebrate artistry at its finest, nurture promising local artists, and promote accessibility of the performing arts to all, the 1500-seat theater is a signature development which aims to solidify Circuit Makati's position as Makati's center for culture, entertainment, and the arts.
Executives from ALI and Samsung, led by their respective presidents Bobby Dy and Minsu Chu, attended a "soft launch" in June which featured a concert by the Manila Symphony Orchestra and Casual Day at the Ballet by Steps Dance Studio. Two major productions -- Mula sa Buwan and We Will Rock You -- are lined up in the months ahead.
Said Dy: "We are delighted to partner with Samsung for this theater that is set to change the performing arts scene in the Philippines. Both companies share the passion for the arts and we hope that this world-class facility will encourage more domestic and international productions for Filipinos to enjoy."
Partnership for a sustainable swine industry
Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has renewed its partnership for the third year with Pig Improvement Company (PIC), a part of a world-leading animal genetics pioneer Genus PIC Group, towards contributing to sustainable pork production in the country.
BPI will provide the required financing to eligible clients wishing to engage in sustainable pig farming, while PIC will supply genetically-improved breeding stocks and extend technical support. A memorandum of agreement to this effect was signed recently by BPI President and CEO Jose Teodoro "TG" Limcaoco, Genus PIC COO Dr. Bill Christianson and PIC Philippines President and GM Vincent Raphael Borromeo.
The renewed partnership reinforces the parties' contributions to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 2 or Zero Hunger; SDG 7 or Affordable and Clean Energy; SDG 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth; and SDG 11 or Sustainable Cities and Communities.
PIC is globally recognized for its work in genetic improvements and innovations that boost pig production while reducing mortality and diseases. Morever, its production design includes the extraction of renewable energy from the methane output of swine waste, as well as sustainable waste management facilities.
For its part, BPI incorporates the conduct of Environment Risk Assessment (ERA) through the Phivolcs system called Hazard Hunter to assess the vulnerability of the collateral or project site to natural calamities.