Drumbeats welcome Mabuhay Miles MasterCard in Davao

Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay Miles, Allied Banking Corporation and MasterCard ended 2008 with a bang in Davao.  

Over 300 people gathered at the Waterfront Davao, together for yet another top brass meeting of the Mabuhay Miles MasterCard triumvirate: Allied Bank, Philippine Airlines and MasterCard, along with Davao’s luminaries in business and government. As with the past power conferences, the same excitement filled the air, but this time, in a fun-filled luau.

Amid lighted bamboo torches, wicker lamps and pulsating drumbeats, Hawaiian-clad celebrated Mabuhay Miles MasterCard’s success, past and future.

Mabuhay Miles MasterCard’s movers and shakers were there: Allied Bank’s Reynaldo A. Maclang, president; Peter N. Yap, executive vice president and retail banking group head; Socorro D. Corpus, senior VP-HRD head; Philippine Airlines’ Felix J Cruz, VP-marketing support; Atty. Domingo T. Duerme-senior assistant vice president-Mindanao sales and services; and MasterCard WorldwideVP country manager Jose Rene D. Villa-Real and VP of member relations Judith Dayrit.

Hula dances and ceremonies, awards and games came with an abundant buffet. The main program presenters were Allied Bank first vice president and card center head Fol Rana, Jr., and Barbara Aragon, Philippine Airlines AVP-product loyalty marketing; along with Jed Madela who sang classics to the appreciative audience.

Mabuhay Miles MasterCard has launched two successful nationwide campaigns featuring its World and Platinum cards, capturing a big percentage of both the credit card elite and mass market. While enjoying the upward trend, it won a prestigious international APMEA Award in Singapore, besting competition in Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa — all in less than six months of operations. It was a record success that surprised even its issuers, who have pushed for even more ways to bring satisfaction to their valued cardholders.

PAL’s Barbara Aragon’s speech held special significance for the event: “More than anything else, we at Allied Bank, Philippine Airlines and MasterCard remain firm in our belief in these two cards. In fact, we have barely scratched the surface of their potential and we are more than excited to let it all come to fruition. We have strength in unity, we have the machinery, we have our audience support… and we have our unswerving resolution.”

What’s ahead for Mabuhay Miles MasterCard users?

“It’s been in the works for quite some time; 2009 is going to be big,” says Maire Viola, Allied Bank AVP cards marketing section–credit card department.

It’s definitely coming, but we’re keeping the details under wraps because we still relish surprising our customers,” added Fol Rana, Jr., Allied Bank FVP and card center head, “We’re not only pushing to be more than miles ahead of the rest, but also for more exciting miles to go.”