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Honoring a Statesman at the

Arangkada Philippines Forum 2018

Each year, The Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) holds a grand event aimed to bolster the
relationship between the business and the government sectors. The Arangkada Philippines
Forum is an annual event that brings together public officials and business leaders to discuss
topics relevant in improving the business and investment climates. As the event’s highlight,
annually, the JFC recognizes the achievements of personalities at the fore of the country’s
progress.

At the The Arangkada Philippines Forum 2018 held at the Marriott Hotel on September 12,
SVP for Marketing, Corporate Communications and External Affairs Celeste Ilagan, presented
the JFC’s Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of the late Senator Edgardo Angara’s
myriad contributions as educator, lawyer, banker, farmer, patron of the arts, and legislator.
Receiving the award on behalf of the late statesman was his son, Sen. Sonny Angara.

Composed of the American, Australian-New Zealand, Canadian, European, Japanese, and
Korean Chambers of the Philippines, and PAMURI, the JFC promotes the creation of an
investor-friendly environment in the Philippines. “It was indeed my honor to have presented
the JFC’s Lifetime Achievement Award this year, representing both the PAMURI as its
Director, and SPi Global as a member organization,” remarked Celeste.

Discussing TRAIN and Ease of Doing
Business at the Asset Philippine Forum

As the Philippines’ economic
performance is perceived to be
moving aggressively towards
growth, the country’s foremost
minds in the world of Finance
imparted insights and views on
how the country can build a strong
economy despite the rising global (L-R); Ryan Tapia, (President, China Bank Capital); Celeste Ilagan, (SVP of Marketing, Corporate Communication and
challenges. External Affairs, SPi Global); Anthony Buyawe, (CFO and Treasurer & Executive Director, Cirtex Holdings Philippines);
Ignacio Mijares, (President and CEO, Cemex Holding Philippines); Lynette Ortiz, (CEO, Standard Chartered Bank
Philippines); Eduardo Francisco, (President, BDO Capital); Daniel YU, (Editor-in-Chief, The Asset).
The Asset 13th Philippine Forum,
held on October 3 at the Grand As a the main resource person on “ease of doing business”
Hyatt, was a platform for real talk and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bills,
and discussions by some of the SPi Global SVP for Marketing, Corporate Communications
most respected and influential and External Affairs Celeste Ilagan, was invited to be one of
business experts presented by the panelists for the Build and Innovate session.
Asset Digital Magazine. It was also
a venue which addressed critical During the forum, Celeste provided valuable insights on how
issues that affect the Philippine the business community and the Philippine government can
economic climate, including support each other in their common objectives of generating more
interest rates, geopolitics, and jobs and positioning the Philippines as a competitive investment
foreign investment policies. destination in the region.

Arangkada Philippines Fora 2018 & The Asset • 08 November 2018 5
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