‘Kapitan’ remembered

ABS-CBN recently unveiled its flagship coffeetable book, "Kapitan: Geny Lopez and the Making of ABS-CBN" at a grand event that gathered bigwigs from the broadcasting, advertising, political and corporate worlds alongside society’s finest.

Unbeknownst to many, Kapitan is the nickname by which all ABS-CBN employees called the late Eugenio "Geny’’ Lopez Jr. Written by Raul Rodrigo, the book ‘Kapitan’ is the dual tale of a man and the company he made. It tells the story of his dream for ABS-CBN, and how he and a tightly-knit group of kindred spirits made it come true, not once but several times, in the face of great odds.

Political personalities honored the legacy of Kapitan. In attendance were Senators Aquilino Pimentel, Serge Osmeña, Jun Magsaysay and Alfredo Lim, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, former DILG Secretary Rafael Alunan, together with ABS-CBN pioneers and Kapitan’s closest friends such as Jim Lindenberg, the "Father of Philippine Broadcasting," former VP for Manila Radio Rino Basilio and Lorenzo "Tits" Tañada.

Others who witnessed the glittering tribute to Kapitan were Lizelle Maralag, managing director of Starcom Worldwide; BBDO Guerrero/Ortega chairman David Guerrero; Campaigns and Grey chairman Yolly Ong; Masscom president Ed Cruz and EVP Raymund Timbol; Jon Timbol of Ace Saatchi, Ricky Jalbuena of DDB; Adobo magazine’s Angel Lim Guerrero; Bong Osorio, president of Campaign Advocacy and Pr Inc.; Howard Belton, chairman of Unilever Philippines; Alex Fernandez, vice-president of United Laboratories Inc.; Ed Sunico, Unilever’s country communications manager; Globe Telecom president and CEO Gerry Ablaza and GMA 7’s Butch Racquel, Felipe Yalung and Meckoy Quiogue.

Kapitan’s favorite songs were sung by Vernie Varga and Mon David. Asia’s ‘Queen of Songs’ Pilita Corales and Sarah Geronimo delivered heartwarming performances as well.

That night, Charo Santos-Concio, Oscar M. Lopez, ABS-CBN Foundation’s Gina Lopez and ABS-CBN’s CEO and president Gabby Lopez shared heartfelt anecdotes on the man whose vision continues to influence not just the ABS-CBN family but the country’s broadcasting landscape.

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