The League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on June 3, 2025, at Camp Aguinaldo Col. Boni Serrano Avenue, Quezon City, marking their partnership aimed at fostering collaboration and working together for the country, most especially the underserved and those affected by calamities.
The MoA signifies a commitment of both parties to work together on meaningful projects that align with their shared mission to build more resilient communities. Through this partnership, both AFP and LCF will work closely to bring member-driven initiatives to identified priority areas and sectors, to provide initiatives and activities related to disaster response and rehabilitation, health, education, environment, arts and culture, financial inclusion and enterprise development.
“It is important to include people who often feel unseen or unheard, not only because we want to address the daily tragedies they face, but because by doing so, we prevent the potential tragic outcomes of division and unrest in our country,” said Garcia.
Present during the signing were;
From LCF:
Board of Trustees
Shem Jose Garcia, LCF Chairperson, Executive Director, Vivant Foundation, Inc.;
Edric Calma, LCF Vice-Chairperson,Vice President, Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc.; and
Ryan Vidanes, LCF Trustee, Executive Director, Conrado & Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation, Inc.
Secretariat
Celine Santillan, Executive Director;
Amber Garma, Membership Officer;
Remy Tubig, Program Officer;
Hannah Mortel, Communications Assistant; and
Zea Bagasbas, Program Assistant
From the Armed Forces of the Philippines:
LTGEN Rommel P. Roldan (PAF);
COL Rex T. Armeña CHS (GSC) and;
LTC Aldemar A. Usman PAF (GSC)
The League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) celebrates CSR Week every year in the first week of July, as stated in EO 299, series of 2000. LCF has more than 90 Corporate Foundation and CSR Unit members across the country providing programs and initiatives to help uplift and better the lives of marginalized sectors and those most at risk. The public is invited to the CSR EXPO at the Glorietta Activity Center on July 1 and 2, 2025.
The LCF CSR Institute successfully concluded the 2025 PDIMEAL Workshop. The event was held in person at EDC Office, 5th Floor, Rockwell Business Tower 3, Ortigas Ave., Pasig City, Metro Manila, hosted by Energy Development Corporation last May 19-23, 2025. It was also held virtually via Zoom last May 22, 2025.
This year’s main facilitator was Ms. Maria Pamela Castro, Senior Program Manager of Pilipinas Shell Foundation, was again joined by Ms. Raiza Cusi, Program Excellence Unit Manager of the same foundation.
“What resonated the most in this workshop is the importance of program planning in terms of alignment between your organization’s overall goals and realizable or attainable outcomes and impact. The workshop brings us back to the basics of problem analysis and solutioning with helpful and updated tools such as PDIMEAL to bring back to our teams. I am looking back to echoing the exercises with my teammates who will benefit from this knowledge. Thank you to LCF, and to Raiza and Pam for facilitating this valuable learning opportunity which is highly recommended for any organization that hopes to bring impactful programs to the communities where they serve and operate” – Gizelle Camua from St. Luke’s Medical Center Foundation, Inc.
A non-member participant from Sikat Solar Challenge Foundation shared that he really appreciated the workshop,
“…learning by doing makes me appreciate it even more, especially the Problem tree to become a solution tree. I also learned the 4 components of a MEAL framework – Decision making, planning, data utilization and data collection.”
28 participants representing 17 organizations took part in this year’s workshop, wherein 5 organizations were non-members.
The participants were as follows:
Rebisco Foundation, Inc. – Ms. Christal May O. Marcelino and Ms. April Charmaigne M. Macaranas
Energy Development Corporation – Ms. Soleil Micah O. Acu, Ms. Abegail Y. Gatdula, Ms. Christine Jamiana, Ms. Marisol dG. Pedregosa, Ms. Edelyn O. Orillan, Ms. Goldee Ann G. Aquino, and Ms. Ma. Sybil C. Villegas
Manila, Philippines — The League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) encourages the corporate sector to integrate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) into their business strategies and their social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. To help drive this shift, LCF launches the 2025 CSR Conference and Expo, providing a platform for corporate leaders to collaborate, innovate, and advance sustainable growth.
The Conference will be held from July 1 to 3 at Dusit Thani Manila, while the Expo will take place from July 1 to 2 at Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City. With the theme, “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity for Shared Prosperity,” it highlights the vital role of businesses in embedding DEI into their core strategies, ensuring CSR initiatives are a catalyst for systemic change, sustainability, and shared prosperity.
“Integrating DEI into business strategies is not only about corporate responsibility,” said Shem Jose Garcia, Chairperson of LCF and Executive Director of Vivant Foundation, Inc. “Businesses that prioritize DEI do more than adapt, they lead. By embedding DEI into their core strategies, they unlock new opportunities, drive meaningful change, and contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future for all. This includes intentional efforts to ensure the inclusion of under-represented groups, particularly women, persons who are differently abled, senior citizens, and indigenous people and people of various faiths and beliefs, and others.”
McKinsey & Company emphasizes that DEI should go beyond representation and be embedded in a purpose-driven strategy to drive inclusive leadership, innovation, and long-term success. A Boston Consulting Group study found that 43% of Southeast Asian companies, including those in the Philippines, now have diversity programs which shows an increase from 36% in 2020, reflecting growing regional commitment.
Attendees of the 2025 CSR Conference and Expo can look forward to thought-provoking discussions, networking opportunities, and actionable insights on integrating DEI into both CSR initiatives and overall business operations.
Recognizing Outstanding CSR Initiatives
As part of LCF’s commitment to elevating CSR excellence, the 2025 Guild Awards will honor outstanding initiatives of its members that have significantly impacted communities. These awards will be presented during the 2025 CSR Conference and Expo, highlighting best practices in corporate social responsibility.
Additionally, the Medal of Recognition will celebrate the impactful interventions of non-LCF members. This special award acknowledges businesses and corporate foundations that have made a difference across seven thematic areas: Arts and Culture, Disaster Resilience, Education, Environment, Enterprise Development, Financial Inclusion, and Health.
The Expo will showcase CSR innovations that highlight how the tight integration of DEI into core organizational and business strategies has brought about change for the better for the communities they work with, providing a space for businesses, NGOs, academe, youth groups, and government agencies to engage and collaborate.
LCF will also highlight key milestones of its flagship effort called ”LCF’s Initiative for Food Security, Nutrition, and Empowerment” or LIFE at the Expo. LIFE combines nutrition support, livelihood programs, and local capacity-building to combat child malnutrition. Through targeted interventions, LCF aims to reduce stunting among Filipino children.
In line with the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN), LIFE takes a province-by-province approach, starting with Basilan, where it is working alongside the provincial government and key stakeholders.
Left to right: Edric Calma, Vice Chairperson, League of Corporate Foundations and Vice President, Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc.;Shem Jose Garcia, Chairperson, League of Corporate Foundations and Executive Director, Vivant Foundation, Inc.; and, Jonathan Batangan, Executive Director, Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. Photo from League of Corporate Foundations.
Through the 2025 CSR Conference and Expo, LCF calls on businesses to take action, rethink their CSR strategies, and champion DEI-driven growth to create lasting impact. “LCF stays committed to promoting responsible CSR, helping members and businesses embrace DEI as a key driver of sustainable development in our country,” added Garcia.
LCF, composed of operating and grant-making corporate and family foundations, is the Philippines’ leading network for fostering environmental, social and governance driven initiatives.
The LCF CSR Institute (CSRI) successfully concluded the 2025 Financial Management & Accounting Standards for Non-Profits Workshop. The event was held virtually on March 18-19, followed by an in-person session on March 20 at the Wynwood Hotel, 45 San Miguel Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, hosted by Jollibee Group Foundation, Inc.
“The workshop provided clear and concise explanations of complex financial concepts, making them accessible even for individuals with minimal accounting background. The examples and case studies were particularly useful in demonstrating practical applications.” – Participant from Jollibee Group Foundation
19 participants representing 12 organizations (7 LCF member-organizations and 5 non-member organizations) took part in this year’s Workshop, as follows:
On March 14, 2025, the Committee on Health of LCF, together with Unilab Foundation, Inc., and Manila Water Foundation, Inc., hosted “Kapihan sa LCF: Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace.” Speakers spoke about the value of mental health wellness in workplace. A total of 11 attendees participated in person while 43 via Zoom.
The Kapihan covered topics related to mental wellness and the session included an enrichment activity. The Welcome Remarks were delivered by Ms. Marievic Mariano Co-Chair of LCF Health Committee and Program Manager and Head of Grants and Partnerships, Metrobank Foundation, Inc.
Dr. Carolina Uno-Rayco, RGC, RPSY, Executive Director of Philippine Mental Health Associationpresented Promoting Employees’ Wellbeing Through Positive Psychology. This was followed by Starting and Journeying with your Vibrant Workplace Mental Health Program by Dr. Sheila Marie Hocson, RGC, RPSY, Senior Technical Consultant of Unilab Foundation, Inc. and Research Fellow at Far Eastern University.
Atty. Joey Ochave, Executive Director of Unilab Foundation, Inc. concluded the Kapihan with his Closing Remarks, where he said “we hope that this activity has allowed us to listen to each other, to find better ways of working with each other, and to address mental health and well-being issues in the workplace.”
The Kapihan sa LCF session on Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace galvanized the value of mental wellness in professional settings. Through the discussion, participants gained practical knowledge on fostering a supportive and healthy work environment. By continuing conversations on mental health, organizations can take meaningful steps toward creating workplaces that help ensure employee well-being and resilience.
The League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) successfully ‘ended’ the Learning Journey for this year with a culminating activity cum graduation on March 6, 2025, at the San Miguel Corporation Head Office, San Miguel Ave., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong.
The opening remarks were delivered via Zoom by Mr. Shem Jose Garcia, LCF Chairperson and Executive Director of Vivant Foundation, Inc., who shared about how his own “social development” journey began a little over 10 years ago.
This year’s Learning Journey, started on February 13 and included site visits to the participating corporate foundations and was attended by representatives from LCF member organizations: Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc., San Miguel Foundation, Inc., and Security Bank Foundation, Inc. Over the course of 4 weeks the visits included Better World Smokey Mountain, Tondo, Metro Manila, Sagip Kapamilya (SK), Examiner, Quezon City, Sta. Anastacia Elementary School, Sto. Tomas, Batangas and, Aboitiz Tech Space, Asian Institute of Management.
The participants were:
Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.: Keen Lyra G. Perez and Nerissa Camille S. Natalicio
ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.: Tracy K. Hizon, Marilyn M. Balais, and Lovely Rose V. Quezon
San Miguel Foundation, Inc.: Dezza D. Sacdal and Sandra Fontanilla
Security Bank Foundation, Inc.: Karlo Marko D. Valladores, Engr. Jamiel D. Galimba, and Arch. Junjun Norombaba
During the culminating event, the participants presented insights and lessons learned from each other during the various Learning Journey sessions, as well as action plans to take these learnings forward. Participants took questions and received feedback from a panel of reactors as well as their peers to help refine and streamline their plans.
The panelists were:
Ms. Mardi Mapa-Suplido, Chief Operations Officer, Aboitiz Foundation
Ms. Rona Mei Y. Tanchico, Program Manager, San Miguel Foundation
Mr. Louie De Real, Executive Director, Security Bank Foundation
A flagship initiative of LCF, the Learning Journey equips participants with essential insights and best practices in CSR, sustainability, and social impact. Through interactive sessions, mentoring, and real-world applications, Batch 8 graduates gained valuable experiences that will enable them to drive meaningful change within their organizations, programs and communities.
Celine Santillan, Executive Director of LCF closed the event saying “These sessions were but the beginning of your journey and we hope you continue to be a support to one another. Remember: If you want travel fast, go alone. If you want to travel far, travel together.”
LCF-CSRI started the year with a key component of a CSR professionals’ work: Stakeholder Analysis and Engagement.
Today marked the closing of training with an in person day long session at Zuellig Family Foundation office in Parañaque City.
“The Excel file was actually very helpful for me, especially since my project involves a lot of stakeholders… So it’s great that there’s a systematic way to organize them and establish a hierarchy. That simple tool really helps a lot when dealing with multiple stakeholders.” stated by a participant of the workshop.
Seven participants from five organizations (four LCF member-organizations and one non-member organization) took part in this year’s Workshop, as follows:
This year the main facilitator was Mr. Paulino “Paul” Buenconsejo, Executive Director of Enrique Zobel Foundation, joined by Mr. Ceazar Valerei “Levis” E. Navarro Institutional Programs Department Head of Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc.
Onward to the next CSRI offering for the year: the Learning Journey!
On January 31, 2025, LCF held the University Lecture Series-Bohol with its partner university, Holy Name University. Approximately 120 students from Holy Name University attended the session.
The University Lecture Series is intended for college students, especially those in social science and business programs. A half-day course on the fundamental ideas, tenets, and best practices of corporate social responsibility (CSR) will be covered. As part of its CSR advocacy, LCF is providing the Series at no cost in support of CHED Memo 39, the National CSR Week Celebration, and other initiatives.
LCF conducted its first CSR On The Go-Bohol session from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on January 30, 2025, at the 925 Maxi Hotel & Events Center in Tagbilaran, Bohol City.
Ms. Marietta “Mayette” Gasatan, Vice-President for External Affairs of Bohol Chamber of Commerce, Inc., and Mr. Shem Jose Garcia, Executive Director of Vivant Foundation, Inc., and LCF Chairperson, delivered the welcome remarks. Ms. Celine Santillan, Executive Director of the League of Corporate Foundations; Ms. Maria Pamela Castro, Senior Program Manager of Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc.; Ms. Emma Linda Ibarra, Branch Head of BDO Bohol-Tagbilaran Branch; Ms. Noemi Sulla of BDO Network Bank Bohol-Jagna Branch; and Dr. Lloyd Lyle Ravidas, Municipal Health Officer of Dimiao Primary Care Facility spoke and presented during the session.
16 attendees representing 7 organizations attended the session.
Through CSR on the Go, LCF provides Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) education to private firms, business communities, corporate foundations, and groups outside of Metro Manila. Participants can network and form partnerships through the program, making it easier to learn and share best practices for implementing social investments. It also seeks to entice more businesses to adopt CSR practices.
The Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE) and SustainablePH (SPH) jointly organized the Collectively Driving Sustainable Impact Summit on November 27, 2024 at the Philippine International Convention Center. The Summit fostered meaningful discussions and offered a platform for knowledge exchange. By addressing critical challenges and opportunities, it underscored the importance of collective efforts in achieving sustainable development goals. The Summit brought together leaders from associations and sustainability advocates to exchange insights, foster collaboration, and celebrate innovation.
Among the many impactful sessions, the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) stood out with its session on “Global Citizens: Corporates that Embody both CSR and ESG”, showcasing its commitment to advancing sustainable development through collective action. The session featured the following esteemed speakers: Michelle Santos, Head of Corporate Affairs of BASF Philippines; Janet Marcellana, Application Advisor of Pilipinas Shell Corporation; and Ana Margarita “Ginggay” Hontiveros-Malvar, President and Chief Reputation and Sustainability Officer of Aboitiz Foundation Inc. The session was moderated by Celine Santillan, LCF Executive Director.
LCF’s speakers at the session reinforced its advocacy as a thought leader in the space, leaving a lasting impression on participants and affirming the value of collaboration in driving impactful change.
League of Corporate Foundations 