The biggest names in the business world will be featured in
the 76-minute documentary Walang Iwanan, to be aired tonight, October
12, on ABS-CBN. The show produced by the News and Current Affairs department of
the Kapamilya Network will be presented by ABS-CBN president Charo Santos
Concio and hosted by news anchors.
It will feature the beginnings and leadership challenges that the top Philippine business tycoons have experienced in their lives, all oriented towards serving the Filipino people.
Fernando Zobel de Ayala, president and COO of the Ayala Group of Companies, inherited not just the responsibility of managing a long-running set of businesses in the Philippines, but also the tradition of entrepreneurship with service as a motivation. And with the new challenges of the fast-changing time, he takes the lead in bringing his company to newer heights with a deep sense of nationalistic spirit. The documentary accompanies him to his visits of CENTEX that provides free elementary education, and Manila Water livelihood projects, and takes an in-depth look in the insights of the great business leader.
Henry Sy of SM Malls lived a very humble beginning and has managed to overcome poverty with innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit that never forgot its roots. The documentary follows him in the medical missions of the mobile clinics reaching depressed areas, and the training and marketing support for the farmers in Davao.
Lucio Tan of Tan Group of Companies that includes Philippine Airlines and Fortune Tobacco also started humbly, and yet his immense wealth is a testimony that hard work and perseverance would change a person's destiny. But he complements his success with corporate social responsibility, and the documentary follows him in La Union where he visits the water impending project for the local farmers.
Lance Gokongwei, COO of the JG Summit Holdings Inc. conglomerate that includes Cebu Pacific, once was a witness to the hard work of his orphaned father in selling soaps in Cebu. Growing up with this strong example, he has managed to rise above his status and become one of the most respected business tycoons in the Philippines. The documentary explores the way he gives back to the people, with the technical training center in Pasig that provides free training, and the reading centers for kids that he has put up.
Manny Pangilinan, chairman of PLDT and Smart Communications grew up exposed to slum areas in the company of his dad who worked as a company messenger. But when his businesses have made him an influential business tycoon, he goes back to his roots and donates computer learning centers in Pampanga, funds literacy and medical missions, and assisted the construction of a juvenile center in Cavite.
Socorro Ramos founder of the country's largest bookshop empire started out as a simple saleslady in a bookstore whose red-and-white plastic bags has become the name that the Filipino people know today as the National Bookstore. Now, she lives true to the company's nature, with the documentary featuring "Bukas Aklat" mobile library project for schools who cannot afford to put up the facility for their students.
Ramon del Rosario PHINMA inherited a business from his father, but was badly struck down by the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Coming into the 21st century, he proves his entrepreneurial genius as his company bounces back triumphant. His corporate social responsibility efforts set in as he provides affordable education to the poor.
Cecilio Pedro of Lamoiyan Corporation, the manufacturer of world class Filipino brand Hapee toothpaste meanwhile provides education and employment to the deaf.
Jose Concepcion Jr., of RFM is known more for his political exploits beginning from his activism during the Martial Law era. But the freedom fighter is also a poverty fighter, as he partners with Gawad Kalinga in constructing houses for the poor, and provides leadership training for the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines program.
Oscar Lopez, chairman of the Lopez Group of Companies, is well-established in the business circles, and respected at that, coming from his painful memories from the experience of Martial Law he remains loyal to his experience of oppression by now initiating Knowledge Channel for schools, and microfinance programs which benefit women.
Presented by Charo Santos-Concio, president of ABS-CBN and hosted by Korina Sanchez, Karen Davila, Ces Drilon, Henry Omaga-Diaz, Julius Babao, Bernadette Sembrano, Pinky Webb, Alex Santos, Kim Atienza and PROBE's Cheche Lazaro, the Walang Iwanan documentary airs this Sunday, October 12, at 10 pm.