Biz Buzz: Best of the best

In the world of Philippine business a few generations ago, to work for the local unit of the financial giant that was once called Citibank N.A. was an opportunity to learn from and be trained by the best of the best.

In fact, many of the Philippines’ best bankers and financial and business minds today can rightfully claim to be alumni of the so-called Citibank university.

And like any prestigious learning institution, Citibank—or Citi, as it is now called—has its own alumni network which gathers annually, during which the best alumni are honored for their achievements and contribution to society.

Earlier this month, the alumni of Citibank Philippines gathered to honor one of their best, Carlos “Do” Ejercito.

Ejercito is best known for his many years of stewardship of United Laboratories, which he helped transform into the medical industry giant it is today.

What few people know is that Ejercito is a Citibank alumnus, having worked with the bank’s Philippine operations for 12 years, where he rose from manager to senior country operations manager.

At Unilab, he began as a senior vice president and went on to become its CEO a few years later.

Today, Ejercito runs a network of institutions under the umbrella of Mount Grace Hospitals Inc.—a partnership of, at present, 19 hospitals meant to make the delivery of health-care services more efficient and affordable.

As for the lessons of banking, Ejercito had the chance to apply these a few years ago when he was named chair of the United Coconut Planters Bank (before it was merged with the Land Bank of the Philippines).

For all these achievements and more—and having been nominated by his friend and fellow Citibank alumnus, businessman Danilo Ignacio—Ejercito was honored by the Citi Alumni Network as its most distinguished alumnus for 2022.

—Daxim L. Lucas

Ayala Land reaps more rewards

Ayala Land Inc. continues to lead the way among property developers in terms of its sustainability efforts.

Recent recognition came from the Carbon Disclosure Project, which gave the Zobel-led builder the highest rating in the country and an above-average score when compared with the rest of the region, putting it on a par with Singapore’s City Developments Ltd. and Japan’s Hulic Co. Ltd., and Mitsubishi Estate Company Ltd.

It won similar recognition from S&P Global and retains its Dow Jones Sustainability Indices membership for the 9th year, while still being the only Philippine member.

Ayala Land committed to significantly cut carbon emissions in its malls, offices, hotels and resorts and set defined goals as early as 2017.

“I am confident that we will reach our goals,” Ayala Land president and CEO Bernard Vincent “Bobby” Dy said.

—Miguel R. Camus INQ