Where in the world is Dennis Uy?

As news broke last Saturday that businessman Dennis Uy of Davao was called in default by a consortium of banks the day before, some people—including Biz Buzz—tried furiously to contact him about the issue.

But for some reason, no replies were forthcoming. Even key personnel of his organization seemed unaware of his whereabouts.

Well, the first clue finally emerged a few minutes after the Inquirer broke the story about the default notice bans sent to him and, to no one’s surprise, it came via social media. Instagram, to be specific.

In her Instagram account, fashion designer Charina Sarte posted a video with a caption that went “tagged along a showing today.”

We’re not quite sure if she referred to an apartment or real estate showing, but the video panned across the Parisian skyline from a building’s garden roof deck and showed a few kids—and one particular man—surveying the area.

Was that Dennis Uy? It sure looked like him. Also, he did not reply to our query about the default at the time when it would’ve been morning in Paris. Just saying. —Daxim L. Lucas

Newport rebranding

The group of tycoon Andrew Tan recently unveiled a major rebranding of its pioneering integrated gaming and tourism estate that is enviably situated just across Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Now on its 13th year, the leisure estate in Pasay City once called Resorts World Manila (RWM) is reinventing itself as “Newport World Resorts,” touted as the “most innovative, dynamic, and comprehensive casino, hotels and entertainment complex in the country.”

“Resorts World” is a brand associated with the Genting group of Malaysia, the long-time partner of Tan-led Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI) in the integrated gaming business under Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. It’s the same name carried by Genting’s properties elsewhere in the world: Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, Bahamas and the United Kingdom.

The rebranding seems to reflect the greater role taken by AGI in Travellers, with Genting presumably taking the backseat. To recall, AGI had announced in March the infusion of P7.8 billion in fresh capital to Travellers in order to give the subsidiary “the opportunity to keep current with its obligations and catch the window of business recovery with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.”

With the rebranding, Newport World Resorts declared that it was taking a “bold step into newer and bigger things for the vast property, bringing together its pioneering integrated resorts and the best of its community within the sprawling Newport City complex.”

RWM was established in 2009, with no other than Tan’s able lieutenant Kingson Sian at the helm. Sian had played a key role in catalyzing the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in the early 2000s as executive director of Megaworld Corp. The local BPO industry boomed after regulators were convinced to incentivize information technology and cyberparks as special economic zones.

The visionary in Sian saw beyond a casino’s gaming capacity and focused on creating an all-inclusive leisure and entertainment destination for the whole family.

Now, newer and bigger things are promised by the integrated resort that started it all. —Doris Dumlao-Abadilla

Calling all nation builders

After a two-year pause due to the prolonged pandemic, JCI Manila, Phinma Corp. and Asian Institute of Management RVR Center for Corporate Responsibility have reconvened to continue their search for outstanding business leaders who have exemplified a strong sense of entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to making lives better.

Launched in 2009, the “RVR Award for Nation Building” honors the life and contributions of late JCI Manila founding president and Phinma founder Ramon del Rosario, Sr. in the development of modern industries in the country. It has become a platform for celebrating tycoons and trailblazers for their outstanding corporate citizenship and passion for nation-building.

Past recipients include Jaime Aristotle Alip (2019), Diosdado Banatao (2018), George S.K. Ty (2017), Henry Sy, Sr. (2016), Manuel Pangilinan (2015), Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala (2014), Vicente Paterno (2013), Washington Sycip (2012), Oscar Lopez (2011), Senen Bacani (2010) and Jesus Tambunting (2010).

For the 11th Ramon V. del Rosario Award for Nation Building this year, former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban and Phinma chair and CEO Ramon del Rosario, Jr. led the selection process. Members of the board of judges included Pangilinan, who is First Pacific chief, and Tambunting, former Ambassador to the United Kingdom. They were joined by JCI Manila president Richard Lim, Ambassador and former Central Bank Governor Jose Cuisia Jr., AIM president and dean Jikyeong Kang and Phinma chair emeritus Oscar Hilado.

This year’s honoree, who will receive the award tonight, July 25, was handpicked from a short list of nominees based on the criteria of entrepreneurial spirit, national or global impact and corporate citizenship. He is a prominent businessman who has developed brands that are now household names and built not just local but also a global footprint.

Through this year’s RVR Awards, the organizing committee aims to “inspire and spark hope in our people amid easing lockdown restrictions and recovery from the pandemic.” —Doris Dumlao-Abadilla

Sustainability champions

In celebration of the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, Conrad Manila paid tribute to six Filipinos who have been doing their part in promoting sustainability to support the social and environmental welfare of several communities.

“They all represent prosperity through inspiring others and contributing to various sustainable endeavors throughout the country,” said Linda Pecoraro, general manager of the luxury hotel in Pasay City.

A hybrid event was held last week to recognize the honorees’ efforts.

Lucy Torres-Gomez, mayor of Ormoc, Leyte, was among the awardees. She was recognized for her initiatives in pushing for sustainable tourism activities and livelihood programs.

PeopleAsia general manager and editor in chief Joanne Rae Ramirez was acknowledged for advocating “sustainable economic growth” in different fields through journalism.

Ana Patricia Non, the founder of Community Pantry PH, was also included in the roster. Her initiative that began with one community pantry in Quezon City sparked more “bayanihan” across the country at the height of the pandemic lockdowns.

Conrad Manila recognized Masungi Georeserve managing trustee Ann Dumaliang for her advocacy in environment conservation and geo-tourism.

Liter of Light Foundation founder and executive director Illac Diaz was awarded for providing a sustainable energy source to communities to “combat energy poverty.”

Leeroy New, a contemporary artist and designer, was recognized for making sculptures out of discarded plastics, including water jugs, film reels and bottles.

“They have shown how we can all be purposive now and in the future as we celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival or Lunar Reunion through Filipino elements and Chinese traditions,” Pecoraro said. —Tyrone Jasper C. Piad, INQ

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