Over 150 alumni of Citi Philippines came together recently to rekindle ties with colleagues and friends at the Rigodon Ballroom of Manila Peninsula.
Citi Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed led the country management team in welcoming guests, as well as the keynote speaker, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr.
In his opening speech, Ahmed recognized the contributions of the men and women in the room, many of them now hold senior positions in financial services companies, as well as in other fields such as telecommunications, healthcare, and real estate among others.
Ahmed said “We view our annual alumni dinner as an important tradition as it allows us to continue to stay close to the ongoing achievements of those who were our colleagues in the past and are our friends today.”
In the Philippines, Citi is popularly referred to as the UniverCiti of Banking, having produced some of the best and brightest in the banking industry. It was at Citi where many key government officials and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of top corporations started their careers.
In his keynote remarks, Governor Tetangco graciously acknowledged that Citi has produced many top-notched bankers who have moved on to leadership positions in other banks and various industries, including his predecessor, the late Rafael Buenaventura who spent time at Citi early on in his career.
Governor Tetangco joined Ahmed in awarding this year’s outstanding alumni, namely: Hermie Pugeda and Danny Ignacio for Network Development; Max Edralin Jr. for Community Development; and Teddy Montecillo for Leadership and Ingenuity.
The Citi Distinguished Alumni award is given to former employees who have exhibited leadership skills, remarkable ingenuity, and outstanding community involvement. Since this global recognition program was introduced, the Philippines always had an awardee, but 2016 is a milestone year with four alumni receiving awards.
Ignacio and Pugeda were recognized for being the founders of ROXIN or Reaching Out to X-Citibankers In Need. Together, the two organized events that raised close to P2 million in readily available relief funds, to aid their former colleagues who are in need of financial aid. To date, they have helped 28 alumni.
Edralin was awarded for his community contributions throughout his career including during his stint as president of Operation Smile where many children with cleft palates received surgery at no cost.
Montecillo is a well accomplished professional in the banking industry and served 31 years at Citi both in Manila and in New York. His multiple leadership appointments by Philippine Presidents and various directorship roles in government financial agencies make him a long-standing role model in the field of public service.
Other distinguished alumni who graced the affair include former DTI Secretary and Monetary Board Member Peter Favila; Philippine Stock Exchange President Hans Sicat; Union Bank Chairman and CEO Tito Ortiz; MasterCard Country Head Poch Villa-Real and SM Investments Corp. Senior Vice President Marcelo C. Fernando Jr..