AUB goes ‘above and beyond’ after turning 20

Nearly 2,000 clients, business partners, employees, and guests packed the Grand Ballroom of the Manila Marriott Hotel last October 26 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Asia United Bank (AUB).

The publicly listed universal bank has grown from the dreams of 76-year-old Rebisco Group chairman Jacinto L. Ng Sr. who set up the company with some Filipino and Chinese partners at the height of the Asian financial crisis in 1997. A highlight of the bank’s anniversary celebration was when Mr. Ng formally handed the baton to founding partner and currently AUB’s president, Abraham T. Co, who will become bank chairman by January 1, 2018. Mr. Ng will assume the post of Chairman Emeritus.

Taking over the helm of the bank’s dayto-day operations from the 69-year-old Mr. Co is fellow AUB pioneer and currently AUB executive vice-president and head of branch banking Manuel Gomez. Jacob Ng, currently a member of the AUB board and concurrent chief transformation officer and head of consumer lending, will replace Mr. Gomez as head of branch banking also effective Jan. 1.

During the anniversary event, AUB went “Above and Beyond” — which was also the theme of its celebration — to fill the country’s largest pillarless ballroom with impressive array of celebrities and headline-grabbing guests, led by former President-turnedManila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada and Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Guests were treated to a night of glitter and gala, starting with the presence of celebrity hosts Luis Manzano, Gretchen Ho, and Christine Bersola-Babao, ‘mom-preneur’ and one of the hosts of financial literacy talk show

Moneywise, which features AUB’s segment, AskUrBanker.

AUB also turned the glamorous evening into a showcase of top-caliber Filipino talent with the musical entertainment provided by vocal ensemble The Company, violinist John Lesaca, and singer and composer Jose Mari Chan, who serenaded the crowd with his iconic Christmas songs and other popular tunes. Their musical numbers were accompanied by ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, led by award-winning conductor and musical director Gerard Salonga.

The bank also raffled off big-ticket prizes such as trips to Tokyo, Bohol and other destinations, as well as Samsung TV sets and other items during the anniversary celebration.

AUB Chairman Jacinto L. Ng Sr. with (seated from left) AUB Vice Chairman Ramon Y. Sy; Mrs. Anita Ng; Ms. Olivia Dy Sun, Yakult Philippines; Ms. Grace Gobing and AUB First Vice President Rachelle D. Ng

AUB FVP Rachelle D. Ng; Mrs. Susan Co of Puregold; and AUB FVP Christine T. Chan

Cheers to AUB’s 20th Anniversary, Above and Beyond!

AUB Senior Vice President Rosario Dayrit; Ms. Mel Capistrano of Wells Fargo; and AUB Executive Vice President Antonio V. Agcaoili, Jr.

BDO Chairwoman Mrs. Teresita Sy-Coson and Mrs. Anita C. Ng

(Front row from left) Rolando l. Libunao; Herminia C. Musico; Willy G. Ng; Fermin F. de Guzman; Leah Y. ChuaCo and Antonio v. Agcaoili, Jr. (Back row from left) Gilda C. Tiongco; Bernadette T. Tiongson; Ma. Teresa M. Copo; AUB Chairman Jacinto L. Ng, Sr.; Manuel A. Gomez; Abraham T. Co; Joanne D. Bustos; and Marife ‘Ampy’ D. Paz

(Standing from left) Congressman Ronaldo B. Zamora; AUB Chairman Jacinto L. Ng, Sr.; with Guest (Seated from left) Senator Jinggoy Estrada; Mr. Casimiro M. Ynares, Jr. and guest

Mr. Jacinto C. Ng, Jr., Group CEO of Joy-Nostalg Group with President Joseph E. Estrada

(Seated) Mrs. Naty Cheng, CEO, Uratex and daughter Mary Grace Rosagas with AUB Chairman Jacinto L. Ng, Sr.

AUB Branch Manager Andy Peralta; Mrs. Nelia de Vera and AUB Executive Vice President Manuel A. Gomez

President-Mayor Joseph E. Estrada; AUB Chairman Jacinto L. Ng, Sr.; and Hon. Cesar Virata

AUB Chief Transformation Officer Jacob C. Ng

AUB Executive Vice President Manuel A. Gomez

AUB President Abraham T. Co.

AUB Chairman Jacinto L. Ng, Sr

BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla, Jr.