More than 60 alumni, undergraduate students and other guests attended the official launch of the SMU Philippines Alumni Chapter on 25th April 2016.
Mr Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Chairman and CEO of Ayala Corporation, and a member of SMU’s Board of Trustees, was the Guest of Honour at this milestone event, held at the Holiday Inn & Suites Makati. Professor Arnoud De Meyer, SMU President and Ms Chan Wai Leng, Director of the Office of Advancement flew in for the ceremony. Mr Ruel T. Maranan, President of the Ayala Foundation and some senior management staff from Ayala Corporation were also present.
Associate Professor Low Aik Meng, Director of Alumni Relations, and his delegation of 25 SMU students, on study mission to visit corporations in Manila, also attended the event. They had the privilege of visiting Ayala Corporation and BPI earlier in the day, prior to the launch ceremony.
Professor Arnoud De Meyer, SMU President, opened the event with a welcome address emphasising the importance of alumni in contributing to the reputation of universities. The launch of the Philippines Alumni Chapter marked the setting up of SMU’s 11th overseas alumni chapter. It will give more than 40 alumni in the Philippines an avenue to further expand their networks.
Guests at the event were privileged to hear Mr Zobel speak on the principles that have guided the family business over seven generations. Today, Ayala Corporation remains one of the most respected family conglomerates in the Philippines. Alumni and students had a lively dialogue with Mr Zobel on topics such as the challenges faced by Mr Zobel and Ayala Corporation, the role of the family, and the guiding principles for businesses. The fact that Ayala Corporation continues to thrive, grow, and innovate after more than 180 years provides valuable lessons for other family businesses.
Highlights of Mr Zobel’s speech and candid sharing included:
1. Challenges dealt with by Ayala Corporation – to sustain the spirit of entrepreneurship within the company and to be opened to take on calculated risks; to constantly search for new sources of growth either by redefining current businesses or by moving into new industries
2. Principles of business – hiring the best professional talents, empowering and growing the company leadership; forming key strategic alliances with corporate partners, and running the businesses professionally and setting high standards of governance.
3. The importance of family in the business – stewardship of the family legacy, family governance and inculcating strong work ethics within the family.
4. Creating value for society - the importance of ensuring that Ayala Corporation remains relevant to society and to the Philippines; and having a moral and social responsibility to contribute to solutions that address challenges such as Income and wealth disparities
Mr Zobel also complimented SMU as an institution that is “progressive, dynamic and cutting-edge in education”, and that he was proud to be serving on the Board of Trustees.
The Philippines Alumni Chapter was officially launched by unveiling a specially designed chapter logo by the Chapter’s Executive Committee. Mr Kevin Tang, BBM Class of 2009 and President of the Philippines Alumni Chapter shared in his speech that the inspiration of the logo came from the SMU logo and the Philippine flag.
He further elaborated that the sun in the logo represented the Philippines, while the 3 stars represented the nationwide location of alumni based in different parts of the Philippines. The circle in the middle represented the chapter’s commitment to build and maintain a strong and cohesive SMU alumni community in the Philippines, bonded by a common SMU identity.
Many alumni flew in from various parts of the Philippines to join in the celebration. The evening ended with networking over a sumptuous buffet dinner and drinks.
For more photos from the event, click here.
About the SMU Philippines Alumni Chapter
Executive Committee
2016 President: Kevin Tang, BBM Class of 2009
2016 Vice President: Stephanie See Dee, BBM Class of 2010
2016 Treasurer: Alexander Uy, BBM Class of 2010
2016 Co-Secretary: Kim Patrick Aguirre, BBM Class of 2011
2016 Co-Secretary: Jose Manuel Buenaventura, BBM Class of 2009
All alumni working in or residing in the Philippines are welcome to be part of the chapter. Please contact Kevin Tang at kevinrtang@gmail.com or join their Facebook Group at “SMU Philippines Alumni Chapter”.