23 June 2014 - The Filipino business community in Malaysia launched the Filipino Businessmen and Professionals Caucus (FBPC) during a breakfast meeting held on June 18 at the Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral Hotel. Present at the launch was Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, who was visiting in Kuala Lumpur for the inauguration of the World Scout Kuala Lumpur Bureau office.
In his remarks, the Vice President lauded the Filipino business community's efforts in not just waving the Philippine flag high in Malaysia, but also in contributing to the vibrancy of the Malaysian economy and in deepening Philippine-Malaysia economic relations.
“When my schedule was being drawn up, Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya suggested that I meet with you, and now I know why. You have not just contributed to the Malaysian economy and further strengthened Philippines-Malaysia economic partnership, but also made us more proud to be Filipino,” the Vice President said.
“I commend the organization of the Filipino Businessmen and Professionals Caucus, and wish it success in facilitating the growth of its members’ businesses and the betterment of Filipino professionals in Malaysia, as well as bringing the Philippine and Malaysian sectors closer,” he added.
The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur initiated the formation of the Filipino Businessmen and Professionals Caucus, a grouping of Malaysia-based Filipino professionals and businessmen, with Azdaman Engineering Group head Edna Encarnacion as interim chairperson.
“The caucus will work towards enhancing business practices, sharing knowledge and information, raising awareness of Filipino talent and skills, and promoting pride in being a Filipino,” interim chairperson Edna Encarnacion said. “The Filipino business executives as well as workers in Malaysia are respected because of their dedication, hard work, and resourcefulness,” she added.
Also present at the breakfast meeting were Philippien Ambassador to Malaysia J. Eduardo Malaya, Consul General Medardo Macaraig, PLDT Malaysia Chief Executive Officer John Palanca, Aloft Hotel General Manager Paolo Campillo, Stanford Properties Director Johnny Lim and Deputy Vice President Terence Lim, Forex Cargo Malaysia Director Tess Dizon, Merienda de Eva restaurant owner Eva Gill, Axxezz head designer Gina Frias-Himpe, ABBV+A Architects Principal Architect Bart Vista, Berjaya University-College of Hospitality Corporate Communications Manager Pilar Palma, UNIQ Hospitality Event Producer and theater actress Maria Jaszmine and LBC Mabuhay representative Emily Venturina.
The FBPC will work with the larger Malaysian-Philippine Business Council, which is headed by Dalton’ Dr. Azmil Khalili bin Dato’ Khalid of AlloyMTD, in fostering closer engagement between the Philippine and Malaysian business sectors. END