The real meaning of corporate social responsibility

The Lopez family was a victim of vengeance during the Martial Law years, their companies tied up, and Lopez patriarch Don Eugenio passing away without seeing his eldest son Geny released from prison. But slowly, the Lopez family rebuilt their businesses and now they have come back with a vengeance.

This time however, this “vengeance” comes in an entirely different form – one that displays honest-to-goodness corporate social responsibility through the umbrella of the ABS-CBN Foundation. And no one will argue when we say that this life-changing corporate social responsibility is embodied by Gina Lopez, Gabby’s sister. She was the first in her family to recognize the potential of technology and media in effecting positive changes in society through her numerous advocacies. Unlike others who fritter away the clout and the vast resources of their family, Gina has chosen to devote her energy in helping those who have less in life through various advocacies and philanthropic activities.

Last Thursday, Gina personally invited me to the Bantay Bata concert at the Meralco Theater. Along with Evelyn Forbes and Mons Romulo-Tantoco, the concert took on a meaningful and touching character with the performances of big-name stars like Gary Valenciano and Kuh Ledesma. But the most heartwarming part came from the presentation of the children who sang and danced for the audience that included Manila’s “who’s who.”

The concert was a welcome break from all this political turmoil, and I must say it was also a break for ourselves. The concert made many in the audience realize that there are a lot of things we can collectively do to make life more meaningful for those who are needy, especially the children.  I never realized just how enormous Bantay Bata has become, protecting and rescuing thousands of abused children.

In fact, the Children’s Village in Bulacan is not merely a structure that provides shelter for rescued children, but a home that gives kids a strong sense of hope that they can still have a bright future with the help of caring people like Gina Lopez and her dedicated staff. I remember we featured Gina in People Asia almost two years ago, and she said that the Children’s Village is her “greatest achievement for Bantay Bata.”

I have the highest esteem and admiration for Gina, because she exemplifies what corporate social responsibility is all about – utilizing the Lopez family’s corporate assets to bring about positive social, economic and environmental changes in the country.  I laud her for her commitment in making this country a better place for everyone – from protecting the environment through Bantay Kalikasan, to making the future better for the children with educational programs such as Sine’skwela and initiatives like Bantay Bata, among others.

If there is any “vengeance” that people should be doing or even thinking about – it should be the kind being displayed by Gina and the Lopez clan, whose values are obviously guided by the lessons of the past as they seek to bring about a “philanthropic revolution” for positive social changes in the life of the Filipino. Surely this is the kind of “communal action” that everyone should be involved in – not the kind that will only widen divisions among the people.

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Before conspiracy theories start going around again, the current Commander-in-Chief of the US Pacific Command (Cinpac) Admiral Timothy J. Keating is currently in town ostensibly for the RP-US Balikatan Exercises – his presence having nothing to do with the political situation in the country. Before assuming command of the US PACOM in March last year, Admiral Keating previously served as Commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the US Northern Command.

According to US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, the Admiral’s trip to the country has long been planned. As a matter of fact, Ambassador Kenney gave a nice reception for the Commander last night at her residence, where a number of people including myself were invited, with guests not limited to the “usual military suspects.”

The US Ambassador says we will have more visitors from the US military in the coming months – but emphasized that these have nothing to do with the current political situation in the country.

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