MANILA, Philippines — Going into retirement isn’t the end of things but is simply the beginning of a new journey. In the case of 48-year-old Benpres building, the future is starting to unfold.
“This future is called The Chronicle, which harkens back to the Lopez Group’s heritage and stands high on where it is headed today and for generations to come. The development is anchored on sustainable technology and design principles, and will be one of the most energy-efficient, even water-efficient buildings in the country,” FPH chair and CEO Federico “Piki” Lopez said during a recent ceremony honoring the legacy of the Benpres building through a book launch.
Artist’s renderings of the new building.
The book entitled “Benpres, Stories Around a Landmark” was a way to fondly remember and engrave the legacy stories that happened when the building was first constructed in 1971. It contains five chapters of articles on architecture, history and the legacy of Benpres building.
In the book, Piki expounds on how The Chronicle will look like and the inspiration behind it. “In our pursuit of being stewards of the environment, we see this building as living and breathing sustainability. What’s really interesting is that the building will even have regenerative elevators that produce electricity when traveling down to the lobby. These run on fast and efficient elevator systems designed to North American performance standards.”
The Chronicle.
Until 2016, the building served as home for various Lopez Group companies as well as the Lopez Museum and Library and its restoration lab. Undoubtedly, Benpres was witness to the Lopez Group’s determination to start or build up businesses that are catalysts for national development which is testament to one of its core values: A pioneering entrepreneurial spirit. As we have envisioned the building’s rebirth, it is as much about paying homage to the past as it is paving the path for tomorrow.”
The Benpres building was named after business tycoon and philanthropist Eugenio Lopez Sr.’s parents, Benito Lopez and his wife Presentacion Hofilena. Benpres building, according to former ambassador Manolo Lopez, now chairman of Lopez Holdings and Rockwell Land in his foreword, “The building was intended, primarily, as the headquarters of our family’s national daily, The Manila Chronicle, thus, it was named Chronicle building. It housed not only the newspaper’s editorial and business offices but also its production facilities and, since it had to meet the special need of a complement of in-house printing machines, it provided for a pit to accommodate a then state-of-the-art full-color press that rose beyond an entire floor.”
Inaugurated on April 3, 1971, Benpres building, continues chairman Lopez, “has been known for its flexibility, a virtue that, intended or not, allowed it to adapt to the exigencies of the times…”
A painting depicting Filipino culture in the Benpres Building.
Mercedes Lopez Vargas, president and executive director of Lopez Group Foundation and executive director of Lopez Museum and Library, notes: “For over 48 years, Benpres was a home to the Lopez businesses, spanning three distinct periods. The first spans the years immediately preceding and covering the dictatorship – 1970-1986. The second period extends to 2010, during which FPH and the Lopez Group grew. Those were years darkened further by family tragedies. The third period, running up to the present, has seen the torch passed to the third generation. Though nearly half a century old, the building has kept its charm in a postmodern urban landscape.”
In the last chapter of the book, Piki describes the Benpres Redevelopment Project: “It envisions a refreshed look for the building to complement a vibrant and engaging working environment. It also entails a rejuvenated space to further enhance collaboration and interaction. The experience with this new building will essentially be about a thriving business community.”
An aerial view of the Benpres Building and a spacious Ortigas Center in the ‘70s.
FPH and First Gen president Giles Puno shares that the new building will embody the Rockwell Land aesthetic with its transformation into an eco-friendly and energy-efficient building with spacious open spaces, surrounded by plants, and provides a balanced mix of tenants to cater to the needs of various companies.
The building design will include rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment and recycling for irrigation, incorporation of solar panels and the like
With the new Chronicle Building, the Group will continue blazing the trails in business to constantly uplift the lives of Filipinos through the distinct Lopez values – a pioneering entrepreneurial spirit, business excellence, unity, nationalism, social justice, integrity, and employee welfare and wellness.
Thus, it has come full circle. The legacy of the Benpres building now to be renamed The Chronicle Building will live on.
As Piki said, “We honor the legacy that Benpres leaves us and we will gladly entrust future generations to carry on with this in mind. We are committed to establish the new building as a symbol of the past, present and future; and to shine as a guiding light on the path we have consistently chosen to take.”