Aboitiz Scholars Join 2nd CSR Summit, Get Opportunity to Implement Own Project

A total of 82 scholars of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Visayan Electric Co. (VECO), and the Aboitiz Foundation participated in the 2nd Aboitiz Scholars Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Summit, an event organized by the Aboitiz Foundation last December 11 & 12 at the Crown Regency Hotel and Towers in Cebu City.

The two-day summit included talks by Aboitiz executives on the company’s history and values; the 3R’s – Risk, Reputation, and Responsibility; and personal insights on leadership. Speakers were Aboitiz Equity Ventures Chief Human Resource Officer Txabi Aboitiz, Aboitiz Foundation President Susan Valdez, and Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. Trustee Romy Ronquillo.

A proposal-making workshop and competition also took place to allow participants to put their learning to use and generate new innovative and meaningful projects. Three teams, composed of eight scholars, emerged as winners:

· 1st Place – Team Chick-Boy [Chick-Boy Agri-Vocational Program] composed of Preach Hero Angeles, Michael John S. Arrofo, Carlo B. Galicia, Jamisola Jhen J. Gigje, Ma. Christina Llanita, Ed Carlo G. Maglasang, Julius Mendoza, and Jonjay B. Tenebro;

· 2nd Place – Team BLastics [The LEGO (Let Environment Generate Opportunities) Project] composed of Kyle Joshua Alegre, Nicola Marie Amoin, Kimberly Demellites, Erika Daquil, Mariane Amancio, Realie Villagonzalo, Mary Ann Gabucan, and Clark Auxtero; and

· 3rd Place – Team AbVecQuity [gARTbage Ville Project] composed of Viemar Faith Vincent Agosto, Jezzie Ruiz, Mary Grace Baclohan, Reyjie Labajo, Marianne Tapayan, Cynthia Almacin, Kenny Angela Inot, and Manilyn Policher

The winning teams were given cash prizes, medals, and a budget of P200, 000 each to implement their respective projects.

“CSR in Aboitiz is not a function separate from the regular functions that we have in our businesses. It is basically part of our DNA, and it shows who we are and what we stand for in the communities where we operate. It is part of the way we do business. It is an important part of our business philosophy,” said Aboitiz Foundation Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sonny Carpio.

In 2011, the Aboitiz Foundation came up with the Aboitiz Scholars’ CSR Summit, which aimed to instill in their scholars the importance of CSR and to encourage them to come up with self-initiated CSR projects. The CSR Summit paved the way for the successful and ongoing implementation of the Green Fashion Revolution and PANLambo Livelihood Project.