BPI Zamboanga observes centenary with aplomb

MANILA, Philippines - A hundred years ago, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) opened its first branch in Mindanao at a then frontier town called Zamboanga, at the residence of Gen. John Jacob Pershing, owned by Chinese entrepreneur and convert to Christianity Don Francisco Barrios. The house where the original BPI Zamboanga opened in 1912 remains intact and the bank branch operating there continuously serves its community.

The centennial anniversary of the historic BPI branch took place August 17, 2012 preceded by a Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar where her crown in safe-keeping at the BPI vault was brought out to be placed on her head. A historical marker in front of the BPI building was unveiled, and the BPI Museum opened to the public.

As part of the centennial celebration of BPI’s historic Zamboanga branch, the second floor of the bank had been converted into a museum, celebrating life in Zamboanga from 1900-1910. Period furniture, vintage photographs, and an exhibit is represented throughout six rooms and a grand sala. The rooms include the bedroom used by Pershing, the Managers’ Room assigned to BPI branch managers who lived there later, a dining hall, a weapons room, and an array of material on BPI history and the Zamboanga branch history.

 In attendance were BPI vice chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala, BPI  president and CEO Aurelio Montinola III , National Historical Commission chairperson Ma. Serena Diokno, Zamboanga mayor Celso Lobregat, Congresswoman Ma. Isabel Climaco-Salazar, Zamboanga Archdiocesan Administrator Msgr. Crisologo Manongas,  Department of Tourism Intramuros Administrator Jose A. Capistrano, Jr., Honorary Consul Ramon Balaguer from the Embassy of Spain.

In welcoming visitors to Zamboanga, Mayor Celso Lobregat said, “This significant event brings us back to the birth of the country’s oldest banking institution to have withstood the time and witnessed the growth of Zamboanga City from the American occupation to the present time.  In short, BPI and Zamboanga stood side-by-side as history unfolded.  The bank has seen our community develop from a small town of calesas and wooded houses to the bustling modern city that it is today.”

Aurelio Montinola noted in his brief message that “Through all these years, BPI, which has since expanded from one to four branches, has served Zamboanga with pride.  BPI had made and upheld its commitment to become this City’s partner in building its businesses and growing our customers’ personal wealth.  This commitment was true then, as it is now.”