MANILA, Philippines - Former Philippine Ambassador to Spain Isabel Caro Wilson is the new president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Elected by the board of trustees last week, Wilson was presented to the CCP staff during their general assembly last Dec. 8 by chairperson Emily Abrera.
Essentially a business woman, Wilson is chairman of the board of several companies, among them, Business Machines Corporation, Rhine Marketing Corporation, Metals Engineering Resources Corporation, Carson Corporation and Carson Holdings & Development Corporation. She is a director of the Asian Cultural Council of the Philippines, Pandiman Philippines, House of Investments and Indra Philippines Inc.
She served as Ambassador to Spain during the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos. In addition to revitalizing trade and cultural relations between the Philippines and Spain, Ambassador Wilson was able to purchase a 1,250-square-meter lot in a prestigious district in Madrid for the Philippine Embassy and the Ambassador’s residence, highly enhancing the prestige of the country. On Dec. 5, 1998, Salvador Laurel, chair of the Centennial Commission, Jose Maria Alvarez del Manzano, Mayor of Madrid, and Ambassador Wilson inaugurated the monument of Jose Rizal. The monument, a replica of the one at the Luneta in Manila, stands on Avenida de Filipinas.
For having served with distinction, the Spanish government conferred on Wilson the “Gran Cruz de la Banda de Isabela la Catolica.” The Department of Foreign Affairs awarded her the “Gawad Mabini, Dakilang Kamanong.” She was also a Premio Zobel awardee.
The first woman president of the Manila Polo Club, Wilson served two continuous terms. She is credited for the construction of a new building with a state-of-the-art kitchen and elegant function rooms. The Manila Polo Club is celebrating its centennial and is considered the premier sports club in the Philippines. Wilson is currently the centennial chairperson.
Wilson has been an active member of organizations such as the Makati Business Club, Heritage Conservation Society and National Museum Foundation, chairman for the National Movement for Free Elections in Makati, president of Zonta Club of Makati, director of the Philippine Business for Social Progress, the Philippine Spanish Business Council and Memorare Manila, treasurer of the Fundacion Amigos del Instituto Cervantes, and a columnist for the Manila Chronicle.
She also served as senior adviser for Spain and Portugal, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and as president of the Dasmariñas Village Association and Dasmariñas Village Street Children Foundation.
Wilson, who has been a trustee of the CCP for six years, addressed the CCP Assembly briefly, promising to uphold transparency and the true spirit of service in the arts and culture sector.