First Metro prexy nominated at Asia Business Leaders Awards

MANILA, Philippines - International business news agency CNBC named First Metro Investment Corp. president Roberto Juanchito Dispo one of the 62 nominees for the prestigious 12th Asia Business Leaders Awards (ABLA), which honors leaders and visionaries behind Asia’s outstanding businesses today.

The head of the investment banking arm of the Metrobank Group was nominated for his contributions in the growth of the Philippine capital markets through the active role played by First Metro in creating and mobilizing capital that is very much needed in fueling and sustaining the country’s economy, which was declared investment grade in 2013 by three ratings agencies: S&P, Fitch and Moody’s.

Established in 2001, ABLA recognizes remarkable leaders in the Asian region for their continuing commitment to excellence, developing best practices and innovative strategies.

This year’s Asia Business Leader Award is given to Tan Pheng Hock of Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd.

Other recipients were Ratan N Tata of Tata Sons and Tata Trusts (Lifetime Achievement Award), Tan Sri Dr. Tony Fernandes of Air Asia (Asia Innovator of the Year), Yancey Hai of Delta Electronics Inc. (Asia Talent Management Award), Dato’ Rohana Binti Tan Sri Datuk Haji Rozhan of Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad (Corporate Social Responsibility Award), and Dr. Pailin Chuchottaworn of PTT Public Company Ltd. (Thailand Business Leader of the Year).

Other Filipino nominees include Security Bank’s Alberto Villarosa, East West Bank’s Antonio Moncupa, Globe Telecom’s Ernest Cu, Robinsons Land’s Frederick Go, Philippine Seven’s Jose Victor P. Paterno and Megawide Construction’s Michael Cosiquien.