Always a filipino

MANILA, Philippines - “Our greatest dream is that our children grow up to be Christ-centered, selfless and happy adults who are proud of their Filipino heritage,” Ma. Fatima “Fama” de Vera-Francisco says of the dream that she proudly shares with her husband.

Fama is a Filipina mother with the passion to share her uniquely Pinay loving care to the world. She is the highest ranking and only Asian female general manager in the global headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio of the world’s largest consumer goods company, Procter & Gamble.

As the vice president for North America Baby Care of P&G, she handles the company’s Global Innovation Program and the North America operations of its biggest brand, Pampers, which touches the lives of 35 million babies every day in over 100 countries around the world.

Fama is one of the 2011 BPInoy Awardees of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI). Other awardees are boxing champion and congressman Manny Pacquiao and international music artist and record producer Allan Pineda Lindo Jr., a.k.a. Apl.de.Ap.

Fama started her career at P&G at the age of 20, the day after graduating with honors with a degree in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines in 1989. Fama quickly made a name in P&G by breaking the barriers of the company’s Field Sales as its first female section manager, working with 99 other managers – all of them men. Fama pursued her dream “to work for a global company that developed great products that made a difference for consumers.”

Fama receives a plaque designed by BPI chairman emeritus Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala.

Fama contributed 60 percent growth for the baby care business of P&G in the country within two years. In all her success, she always carried her love for her home country.

“My Filipino heritage and role as a mother to four children give me the unique insights that help me understand and meet the needs of all mothers and babies in the fast growing Asian region and in many other developing markets around the world,” she says.

As a corporate leader and a mother, Fama combines work and family with full commitment and passion. While she sees to the needs of mothers and babies around the world through Pampers, she also takes care of her four children, guiding them to become the best that they can be. She and her husband manage their busy work travel schedules to ensure that they give the appropriate attention and guidance needed to raise their children. She says, “It can get very busy, but we are a great tag-team. We inspire our children to pursue their dream, do their best in whatever career they choose.”

Aside from being a full-time mother and corporate executive, Fama also takes care of other people in her community, including leading the Asian Diversity Program at P&G, mentoring young Asian leaders in the company and through the Executive Mentoring Program of Xavier University.

She concludes, “The global Filipino serves as a role model for Filipinos to rise up, strive to be better than the previous generation, and look out for opportunities to inspire, mentor and help other Filipinos to succeed.”

Together with other world-class Filipinos, Fama brings pride to the country as she continues to excel at work and in her personal life.

Celebrating distinctly Pinoy attributes and recognizing exceptional Filipinos that serve as testaments of the country’s global competitiveness, BPI has been committed to empower nationalism and excellence among Filipinos around the world through the annual BPInoy Awards. Now on its 6th year, BPI awards a new roster of outstanding Filipinos who have brought pride and honor to the country by excelling in their chosen fields abroad.

Past BPInoy awardees include Indiana-based neurosurgeon and founder and chairman of Hydrocephalus Foundation of the Philippines, Dr. Manny Cacdac; international singing sensation Charice Pempengco; White House executive chef Cristeta Comerford; chief representative for Asia and the Pacific of the Bank for International Settlements Dr. Eli Remolona; renowned painter Anita Magsaysay-Ho; BBC anchor Rico Hizon; celebrated fashion designer Josie Natori; heart surgeon Dr. George Garcia of Asian Hospital & Medical Center; international fashion designer Monique Lhuillier; US-based technology entrepreneur Diosdado “Dado” Banatao; and world-renowned musical theater artist Lea Salonga.