Gabby Lopez elected ABS-CBN chairman emeritus

NEW POST. Eugenio 'Gabby' Lopez III is now chairman emeritus of ABS-CBN Corporation. Photo from ABS-CBN Corporation

Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III is now the chairman emeritus of ABS-CBN Corporation, after over two decades as the chairman of the media conglomerate. Succeeding him as chairman is his cousin, Martin "Mark" Lopez.

In an organizational meeting on Thursday, April 19, ABS-CBN's board of directors elected the two executives as "part of the company's succession planning process." (READ: FAST FACTS: What you should know about ABS-CBN)

The 65-year-old Gabby is the second chairman emeritus in the company's history, following in the footsteps of his father Eugenio "Geny" Lopez Jr, who was given the title after Gabby became chairman in 1997.

"As every athlete knows, there comes a time when inevitably it's time to let go of the reins and allow others to take over. My father has always said 'broadcasting' is for the young. After all, today's digital world is vastly difficult from the world I managed," said Gabby in a speech on Thursday.

In a statement, ABS-CBN credited Gabby for transforming the company "from being the country's biggest broadcasting network into being the country's leading media and entertainment company."

"Under his helm, ABS-CBN diversified into various successful ventures that include interactive and online media, international and domestic cable and satellite channels, broadband services, sports programming, consumer products and licensing, digital TV, and immersive experiences," added ABS-CBN.

Under Gabby's chairmanship, ABS-CBN had launched SkyCable, The Filipino Channel, TFC.tv, iWant TV, and ABS-CBN TVplus.

ABS-CBN CHAIRMAN. Martin 'Mark' Lopez succeeds Eugenio 'Gabby' Lopez III. Photo from ABS-CBN Corporation

Gabby's successor Mark was previously the company's chief technology officer. ABS-CBN said he was "identified as a successor as early as 5 years ago."

"Mark was responsible for setting the company's strategic directions and ensuring operational excellence in information and communications, as well as technology broadcast engineering," said ABS-CBN.

"He spearheaded ABS-CBN's system modernization, highlighted by the migration to the cloud and the automation of content creation and delivery to various media platforms. He was also responsible for ABS-CBN's migration to HD and the completion of the digital terrestrial television (DTT) infrastructure."

Mark said he would "take to heart" the media's role in nation-building.

"I accept this huge responsibility of carrying on the company’s vision of being in the service of the Filipino – using the blueprint of excellence and innovation set by Gabby. ABS-CBN has played an instrumental role in nation-building in the past 65 years," he said.

Before joining ABS-CBN, Mark was with the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) for 13 years.

Gabby Lopez retires as chair of ABS-CBN Corp.

Mark Lopez to take his place

Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III has retired from the role of being the longtime chair of media giant ABS-CBN Corp., ending an era that spanned over two decades.

Lopez, who nominated his cousin Mark Lopez to take his place as company chair, will instead assume the title of chairman emeritus, and will stay on as a director of ABS-CBN.

On Thursday, he told shareholders during the company’s annual meeting that he would continue to provide “consultative” guidance to the board.

The elder Lopez, who has helmed ABS-CBN as chair since 1997, was credited with growing the company into the news and entertainment conglomerate that it is today.

It was also during his tenure when ABS-CBN embarked on an ambitious diversification plan, which included its entry into broadband Internet via SkyCable, and the launch of digital television.

During his speech to shareholders, the elder Lopez emphasized the need for younger figures in top management to lead ABS-CBN.

“The demographic profile of the Philippines has always been biased toward the youth. Who better to asses the needs of our audience than like-minded young managers,” Lopez, who turned 65 last August, said on Thursday.

“Today’s digital world is vastly different from the world I managed,” he added.

Mark Lopez is 45 years old while company CEO Carlo Katigbak is turning 48 this month.

The elder Lopez noted that Mark Lopez’s role was envisioned to be mainly “a fiduciary responsibility.”

Mark Lopez has been with ABS-CBN for seven years. He is the media giant’s chief technology officer. A key initiative of his was the company’s system modernization, which included moving key functions to the cloud, and automating content creation and delivery. He also had a direct hand in ABS-CBN’s shift to digital television.

Before joining ABS-CBN, he worked for 13 years in Manila Electric Co., where he rose to the rank of vice president and chief information officer.

In its statement, ABS-CBN signaled that the elder Lopez’s decision to step down was not related to the current political environment, and was on account of previously set succession planning terms.

ABS-CBN said Mark Lopez was “identified as a successor as early as five years ago.”

ABS-CBN, alongside other media groups, has earned the ire of President Duterte for critical news reporting.

A separate issue dating back to the presidential campaign over ABS-CBN’s failure to air Mr. Duterte’s political ads further strained relations.

Last year, Mr. Duterte threatened to block the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, which expires on March 30, 2020.

ABS-CBN was now revamping its content strategy to compete with other stations.

“I think the entertainment, lifestyle and news and current affairs will stay, substantially as it is. The sports content will still be there and we’re expanding the sports content. Then there will be some entertainment shows that we will be putting in,” Lopez said.

“It’s not a shutdown situation for ABS-CBN. I think it’s a selective kind of programming. I think it’s the only way for ABS-CBN to compete. The viewing habits for video are slowly changing, so we want to move in the direction rather than stay with the legacy where we are not competitive,” Lopez said.

During ABS-CBN’s previous annual meeting, the elder Lopez, whose father was jailed during the marital law regime of the late strongman President Ferdinand Marcos, downplayed those concerns. He said the threats were “part and parcel of our work being a media institution.”

“We will comply with all the requirements associated with the renewal of our franchise and we hope to participate in the renewal process,” Kane Choa, ABS-CBN head of communications, said on Thursday.

Toward the end of his retirement speech, the elder Lopez said he would continue to work and “not disappear into the woodwork.”

“I may be retired but I am not dead,” he quipped. “At the end of the day, I can also take time out to just relax and watch the grass grow. Nobody who knows me will ever believe that is what I will do.”

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Gabby Lopez nominates Mark Lopez as ABS-CBN chairman

(UPDATE) Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III on Thursday nominated Martin "Mark" Lopez to succeed him as chairman of ABS-CBN Corp, the country's largest media and entertainment company.

At the close of an annual stockholders meeting, Lopez III said he would no longer seek reelection as ABS-CBN chairman, as he quoted from his father, the late Eugenio "Geny" Lopez Jr., known fondly to ABS-CBN employees and the industry as "Kapitan" (Captain).

"My father has always said, broadcasting is for the young. That statement is as true today as the statement that change is the only constant," Gabby Lopez said.

"For the young have the courage to go where no one has ever been. Why not, or bakit hindi, has always been one of the defining attributes of our organization," he said.

"The demographic profile of the Philippines has always been biased towards the youth. Who better to assess the needs of our audience than like-minded young managers?" he said.

Mark Lopez, and ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak are both in their 40s, Gabby Lopez said.

Mark Lopez's role as chairman will be "distinctly different" from his own, especially as the company pivots to digital, Gabby Lopez said. Katigbak will handle day-to-day operations, he said.

Currently ABS-CBN's chief technology officer and a member of the board of directors, Mark Lopez spearheaded the company's systems modernization which saw a migration to the cloud and the automation of content creation and delivery to various platforms.

He was responsible for ABS-CBN's migration to HD and put in place its digital terrestrial TV infrastructure.

Mark Lopez served under Meralco, the country’s largest power distributor, where he worked as vice president, chief information officer and president of unit e-Meralco Ventures Inc.

Gabby Lopez said if the ABS-CBN board decides, he could still serve in a "consultative" capacity.

"I may be retired but I am not dead," he said.

He drew parallels between his career path and a line from a Khalil Gibran poem, which said: "Your children are not your children, they are the sons and daughter of life longing for itself."

"And so it is with ABS-CBN. I spent most of my life with you but you are not an extension of me," he said.

"Fly high, Kapamilya. Never be afraid to dream. Never be afraid to venture where no one has gone. I remain with you always," he said.

ABS-CBN elects Gabby Lopez as chairman emeritus, Mark Lopez as chairman

The ABS-CBN Corp board of directors on Thursday elected Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III as chairman emeritus and Martin "Mark" Lopez as chairman.

Gabby Lopez, 65, is the second to hold the title of chairman emeritus after his late father, Eugenio "Geny" Lopez Jr, known fondly as "Kapitan." The family patriarch became chairman emeritus when his son succeeded him as chairman in 1997.

"As every athlete knows, there comes a time when inevitably it’s time to let go of the reins and allow others to take over. My father has always said ‘broadcasting’ is for the young. After all, today’s digital world is vastly difficult from the world I managed,” Gabby Lopez told an annual meeting of stockholders. He said that he “will not disappear into the woodwork.”

Gabby Lopez did not seek a fresh term as chairman as part of the company's succession planning.

He also served as CEO of ABS-CBN from 1997 to 2012 and is credited with steadily transforming the company from being the country’s biggest broadcasting network into being the leading media and entertainment company.

Under his leadership, ABS-CBN diversified into interactive and online media, international and domestic cable and satellite channels, broadband services, sports programming, consumer products and licensing, digital TV, and immersive experiences.

It was also under his leadership that ABS-CBN launched cable TV service SkyCable in 1992, global subscription channel The Filipino Channel in 1994, and video-on-demand streaming sites TFC.tv and iWant TV. He also pursued the launch of ABS-CBN TVplus, the country’s first-ever digital terrestrial television product.

"I accept this huge responsibility of carrying on the company’s vision of being in the service of the Filipino – using the blueprint of excellence and innovation set by Gabby. ABS-CBN has played an instrumental role in nation-building in the past 65 years," Mark Lopez said.

"We understand what the company means to the Filipino and this country, and we will take this to heart as we guide the company through its digital transformation," added the new chairman, who was identified as a successor as early as 5 years ago.

In his previous role as chief technology officer, Mark was responsible for setting the company’s strategic directions and ensuring operational excellence in information and communications, as well as technology broadcast engineering.

He spearheaded ABS-CBN’s system modernization, highlighted by the migration to the cloud and the automation of content creation and delivery to various media platforms. He was also responsible for ABS-CBN’s migration to HD and the completion of the digital terrestrial television infrastructure.

Prior to joining ABS-CBN, Mark spent 13 years at Meralco, the largest power distribution company in the country, where he eventually assumed the role of vice president and chief information officer. He also served as president of e-Meralco Ventures Inc until 2010.

Mark completed INSEAD’s general management program in 2017, received his Executive Masters in Business Administration degree from the Asian Institute of Management in 2003, and earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Menlo College, California in 1994.

Barkada film of the season

Kim Chiu and Ryan Bang

Star Cinema’s latest offering “Da One That Ghost Away (DOTGA),” which opened yesterday in theaters nationwide, is touted as the “ultimate barkada film of the season.” It teams up for the first time Kim Chiu and “Pinoy Big Brother” alumnus Ryan Bang.

Carmel, a paranormal expert wannabe, teams up with best friend Jeje in forming a squad of ghostbusters in order to save the house of her grandmother from being sequestered. They are hired to exorcize the house (for malevolent ghosts) of a rich architect. The squad accepted the job with no hint they will be trapped inside the house.

“DOTGA” will showcase Kim’s versatility once more. She has proven herself to excel in almost every genre – from drama to hard core comedy to light romantic comedy to horror-comedy.

Also in the “DOTGA” cast is the popular tandem of Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber, and Pepe Herrera in his first major film role. Their co-actors are Enzo Pineda, Lassy Marquez, Moi Bien, Matet de Leon, Cai Cortez, Chokoleit and veteran actresses Marissa Delgado and Odette Khan.

• • •

New series

Set to air soon is GMA Network’s “Karibal Ko Ang Aking Ina,” directed by Gil Tejada, Jr.

In the cast of “Karibal Ko Ang Aking Ina” are Sunshine Cruz, Zoren Legaspi and Bing Loyzaga and topbillers Bea Binene, Benjamin Alves, and David Licauco.

At the storycon, Direk Gil said he is certain viewers will easily be hooked to the series’ intriguing story. He stressed “dapat abangan ang mga pasabog na eksena ng buong cast!”

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, April 19, go to Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and Don Joma Ejercito, Sylvia Santos, Al Mendoza, Estrella Ablan, Bing Bautista, Faith Amago Lavarro, Divine Quirino, Malou Crisologo, Aileen Gordoncillo, Marc Earvin Senieto, Dr. Rudolfo Pascual, Oscar Lopez of Meralco and Kim Chiu… April 20: San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez, Greggy Araneta, Nanette Inventor, Carines Zaragoza, Jerome dela Fuente, Jaycee de Guzman, Shiela Santos, Elizabeth Paler, Erlinda Marteja, Teresita Chua, Ma. Francesca Orense, Eljohn Galigaro, Demarcus Bricia, Rohn Romulo, Jay Montelibano,  and Luchie Sevillano Aclan… Belated 45th b-day greetings to Joey Ragadio of Quezon, Palawan (April 18) and get well soon to Ka Emilio Rhoda…

Gabby Lopez 3rd retires as ABS-CBN chairman

EUGENIO “Gabby” Lopez 3rd has stepped down as chairman of the board of Lopez-led media giant ABS-CBN Corporation.

At the group’s annual stockholders’ meeting on Thursday, Lopez announced his move to retire, more than two decades after assuming the position in 1997.

“As every athlete knows, there comes a time when inevitably it’s time to let go of the reins and allow others to take over. My father has always said broadcasting is for the young. After all, today’s digital world is vastly different from the world I managed,” he said in his speech.

The 65-year-old Gabby Lopez, however, stressed that he “will not disappear into the woodwork.”


The broadcast network elected Gabby Lopez as chairman emeritus, the second to secure the position in the company’s history, and is set to remain as a director of the board.

He also served as chief executive officer of the group from 1997 to 2012.

Under Lopez’s leadership, ABS-CBN diversified into various successful ventures that included interactive and online media, international and domestic cable and satellite channels, broadband services, sports programming, consumer products and licensing, digital TV, and immersive experiences.

It was also under his leadership that ABS-CBN launched cable TV service SkyCable, global subscription channel The Filipino Channel, and video-on-demand streaming sites TFC.tv and iWant TV. He also pursued the launch of ABS-CBN TVplus, the country’s first-ever digital terrestrial television product.

Following Gabby’s retirement, Martin “Mark” Lopez, a cousin, was elected as the new chair of the entertainment network.

“I accept this huge responsibility of carrying on the company’s vision of being in the service of the Filipino – using the blueprint of excellence and innovation set by Gabby. ABS-CBN has played an instrumental role in nation-building in the past 65 years. We understand what the company means to the Filipino and this country, and we will take this to heart as we guide the company through its digital transformation,” he said.

In his previous role as chief technology officer, Mark was responsible for setting the company’s strategic directions and ensuring operational excellence in information and communications, as well as technology broadcast engineering.

He spearheaded ABS-CBN’s system modernization, highlighted by the migration to cloud and the automation of content creation and delivery to various media platforms. He was also responsible for ABS-CBN’s migration to HD and the completion of the digital terrestrial television (DTT) infrastructure. LISBET K. ESMAEL