“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will.” — Vince Lombardi
A birthday celebration is rarely a source of great inspiration but such was the 80th birthday of the Lopez Group of Companies chairman Oscar Lopez. The celebration started with cocktails and dinner at the huge marbled floor lobby of the Meralco building in Ortigas Avenue. Immediately following the reception was the production of the musicale Undaunted, which actually put on stage the highlights in the lives of the Lopez family.
Undaunted was rewritten to tackle the principles of a pioneering entrepreneurial spirit geared towards business excellence, nationalism, unity and team work, a strong work ethic, integrity, social justice and an over-riding concern for employee welfare and wellness. According to chairman Oscar Lopez, the theme of this year’s presentation showed how his father, Don Eugenio Lopez Sr., shaped the current Lopez Group from its inception to its present form. During his welcome speech, Oscar Lopez stopped in mid-sentence to recognize the presence of low-profile yet brilliant Tessie Sy-Coson to mention how he was inspired by the birthday presentation conceptualized by Tessie for her father, taipan Henry Sy. That inspiration led to the creation of Undaunted.
Among those seen during the momentous occasion were Ayala Corp. chairman emeritus Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Fernando, Bea and Kit Zobel, ABS-CBN president and COO Charo Santos-Concio, channel head Cory Vidanes, corporate communications head Bong Osorio, former Trade and Industry Secretary Jose Concepcion Jr. with wife Marivic, tycoon Lucio Tan with Carmen, SGV Group founder and chairman Washington Sycip, former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, television “genius” Freddie Garcia, Carrier’s Ronnie and Menchu Concepcion and members of the business and diplomatic communities.
A truly memorable and inspiring evening!
Greetings
Happy birthday to our celebrator today, Rosarito Agustines.
Advance birthday greetings to Gloria del Rio, Zita Feliciano, Alice Reyes, former DILG Secretary Rafael Alunan, Resty Vergara and Teyet Pascual, May 17; Toni Gregory, legal whiz Amado “Boy” Santiago, Gift Gate’s Virgie Ramos and Grace Palma Tiongco, May 18; Vincent “Enteng” Vargas, Rita Ledesma and Emmie Velarde, May 19; Baby Cruz and Manolo Lopez, May 20; Sea Wind’s Ruth Jarantilla and Gonzalo Puyat II, May 21; Andy Jacinto, Lito Puyat and Lulu Tinio, May 22.
So, how was your week?
(For comments or inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com)