Closing Remarks

By Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, MBC Co-Vice Chairman

Few men cover as much ground as efficiently and as eloquently as Dick Romulo. In his tenure as Chairman over the last 19 years, he has guided us through periods of national pride and national crisis, never once losing sight of a core set of values and principles nor succumbing to the pressure of being popular, politically correct, and safe. He spoke on behalf of MBC regardless of whether the view expressed was popular or not. What mattered most to him was that the view be principled, fair, and in the interest of the nation. In that sense, the views of the MBC as a forum for constructive ideas was that of the corporate interpretation of the national interest.

As we contemplate what the next quarter century brings us – or rather what we bring to the next quarter century – we have been given several challenges. One is the challenge to expand our network regionally to other parts of the country, internationally to other business clubs in Southeast Asia, and generationally to a younger set of leaders. The second challenge is to contribute to the sustainable development of our nation through our own core business practices, an idea, I believe, whose time has come. And the third is to remain true to our calling, to be a forum for constructive ideas.

We thank you for joining us on this special evening and for supporting this endeavor called MBC – an endeavor that is as relevant today as it was 25 years ago in October 1981 and one that we believe will maintain its relevance in the years ahead.

Go to:
• Inside MBC
• Ramon del Rosario's Opening Remarks
• Cesar A. Buenaventura's Introduction
• Ricardo J. Romulo's Inaugural Speech