Gold, Glamour, and Gratitude: Aboitiz Christmas Parties 2019

By Gia Mendoza

The Aboitiz Group, known for its many programs and efforts to advance business and communities, also knows how to kick back, relax, and toast to a very special holiday season. At Aboitiz, not only did we raise our glasses to the holidays, but also to honor very important people in the company and to commemorate the launch of a grand milestone for the group.

In Cebu, REWIND: The Aboitiz Christmas Party 2019, was attended by the whole Aboitiz Group, which was a great way to kick off One Aboitiz. The theme Rewind, pertains to looking back and giving appreciation to our Aboitiz roots as the group celebrates an important milestone. The different business units from Visayan Electric, AboitizLand, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, AboitizPower, AP BU Oil, Enerzone Group, AP Coal, and Pilmico all dressed up in their groovy, fun, and classy throwback outfits that made the last century memorable.

What made the past few years even special were the eight tributes that were honored in the event as they retired from their Aboitiz journey. Their years of service, hard work, and dedication stands as inspiration to the current generation of A-People.

CEBU TRIBUTES (From L-R, clockwise): Carlos Copernicus Payot, AP DU Corp; Henry Burgos, AP Visayan Electric; Felix Susas, AP Visayan Electric; Enerio Cajes, AP Oil; Juan Gamalo, AP Oil; Wendell Atilo, AP Oil; Rafael Osumo, AboitizLand; Miguel Cagigas, Pilmico

Meanwhile in Manila, Solstice: The Aboitiz Christmas Party 2019, was a joint celebration for AEV's and AboitizPower’s notable A-people who have served their years in Aboitiz with untiring passion, dedication, and hard work until their retirement.The celebration was made even more memorable as the Aboitiz Group launched their 100th year of driving change for a better world by advancing business and communities.

New Group President and CEO, Sabin Aboitiz, launches "One Aboitiz", a mantra that calls for all team members to work as one regardless of SBU or BU.

The theme for the christmas party was aptly named Solstice, or rather defined as a changing of the seasons. The group is undergoing a season of change where we retire key people in the group, as well as welcome change in the new wave of A-People who will eventually lead and work like the A-People before them.

The Aboitiz Group is undergoing a season of change, a season of growth, and a season of cherishing the past, yet welcoming the new, and this is what we aim to do for tonight’s Christmas party. - EIA

A notable retiree tribute that made the night even more emotional was the retirement of the Group President and CEO, Erramon I. Aboitiz, who has served the group for a total of 41 years.

Joining Erramon I. Aboitiz as retirees are six remarkable A-People who were given tribute as they cap off the end of their Aboitiz journey. These A-People were celebrated as they espoused what it means to live and breathe the Aboitiz Way. Tributes from AEV are:

ALEX DERPO, AVIATION. “Malaki yung impact niya (sa amin) through his experience, his skills, and expertise, madali namin nasosolve yung problema ng eroplano kung may sakaling meron at pag nag trotrouble shoot kami.” - Harold Sicat

CITO RAÑOA, GOVERNANCE AND COMPLIANCE. “Cito really is fun to be with, his personality inside and outside of the office is the same. He takes time and goes out of his way to talk to people.” - Joanna Abay

SUSAN POLICARPIO, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS. “I have seen the kind of dedication and commitment she puts in her work she takes on… I am where I am now because of you.” - Maricris Queroda

MELINDA BATHAN, ACCOUNTING. “Melinda is known by almost by anyone in any business unit because she is the example I gave as to how a team member can progress to become a good team leader.” - Romy Ronquillo

GABBY MAÑALAC, TREASURY SERVICES. “60% of what I know now in handling financing transactions, I learned from GTM and the 40% he challenged me to learn it by myself. I really learned a lot from the guy.” - Francis Asilo

Always have a sense of humor. The stress is bad enough but adding a good dose of humor not only gets you through the day but humor def helps think beyond the normal confines you’re used to working in. Humor leads to creativity. - Gabby Manalac

ERNEST VILLAREAL, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS. “He's the foremost crisis manager. He brings order and direction in any crisis situation. In fact, he's one of the few people I know who thrives in times of crisis.” - Vince Tan

Ever since we were young, he was always taking care of someway be it morally or financially or helping my parents. He's very consistent with his actions, the way he leads his company, his family, his brothers. I think responsibility is really core in Montxu. - SMA

He is a competent deal maker. A great negotiator, he tends to look at the big picture when making a decision without sacrificing attention to detail. He always thinks strategically when a business decision is to be made, thats why I can say Montxu is a savvy individual. - Stephen Paradies

He is an achiever. Without his foresight, his intellectual capacity, his attitude of always finding ways, while maintaining integrity and family values, we would not be into a level of a company where we are today which many of us never dreamed of. - Mikel Aboitiz