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{{label}}19 March 2019
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Philam Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Philam Life, recently unveiled an artistic masterpiece from its art collection by renowned Filipino artist, Jose Alcantara, as part of its commitment to contribute to nation-building and art appreciation for mental wellness. The classical carving by the last maestro of traditional wood carving in the country will now be on display in Gallery XVI of the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila.
Jose Alcantara belongs to the few artists who used the Philippine classical wood carving tradition. Born in Pasay City, he trained in the atelier of the prince of Philippine sculpture during the colonial period, Isabelo Tampinco, after which he worked as a carver in the furniture shop of Gonzalo Puyat. His talent took him to numerous shows and gave him countless accolades here and abroad.
Philam Life commissioned the carving in 1961 to embellish the wall of the Philam Life Auditorium situated beside its former head office along UN Avenue in Manila, which was then one of the first international-style design buildings in the area. The auditorium was known for its excellent acoustics which were done by Bolt, Beranek and Newman who are also credited for the Sydney Opera House, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the United Nations Assembly Hall in New York.
The Alcantara panels made from carved wood relief and lacquer feature elements from Philippine folklore, traditional musical instruments, and mythical characters like Maria Makiling and Malakas at Maganda, all known to have a semi-abstract approach to form. Alcantara’s work celebrates the brilliance of Philippine art, exhibiting its distinct culture through the rich details and formal patterns.
Continued partnership with National Museum
As part of its thrust to support nation-building, the Philam Foundation continues to be a strong supporter of Philippine arts. For the past five years, the Foundation has given the National Museum an institutional grant of PHP5 million which supplements funding for acquisition, preservation, and restoration of artworks, as well as for the upkeep of key pieces of Philam Life’s art collection: the Vicente Manansala paintings and Jose Alcantara murals.
Aside from the unveiling of the carving, the event was also held to formalize the renewal of another five-year institutional grant for the National Museum. “We hope this partnership will pave the way for further appreciation and cultivation of our love for the arts,” said Max Ventura, Philam Foundation President.
“Philam Life, through the Foundation, is a firm supporter in the role of the arts in achieving mental wellness. We want to go beyond physical and financial wellness. It is our intention to come full circle in bringing to life our brand promise of helping people live healthier, longer and better lives,” added Kelvin Ang, Philam Life Chief Executive Officer.
The donation was received by Jeremy Barns, Director of the National Museum, and Ana Labrador, Assistant Director of the National Museum.
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About Philam Life
The Philippine American Life and General Insurance Company (Philam Life) is the country’s premier life insurance company. Established on 21 June 1947, Philam Life has earned the trust of customers for its financial strength, strong brand name, and ability to deliver on its promises.
Philam Life has PHP251.4 billion in total assets as of 31 December 2017, while serving almost 600,000 individual policyholders and over 2,200,000 insured group members.
Philam Life understands the needs of its customers and provides holistic solutions that include life protection, health insurance, savings, education, retirement, investment, group, and credit life insurance. It also offers bancassurance and fund management products and services through its subsidiaries—BPI-Philam Life Assurance Company (BPLAC) and Philam Asset Management Inc. (PAMI).
Philam Life is a member of AIA Group Limited, the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group.
About the Philam Group
The Philam Group comprises the biggest life insurance company in the Philippines. By putting its customers at the center of its operations, the Philam Group has earned the trust of its stakeholders and has achieved continued growth over the years.
The Philam Group was formed with the mission of empowering Filipinos to achieve financial security and prosperity. Through its strong network, it is able to offer financial solutions such as life protection, health insurance, savings, education, retirement, investment, group and credit life insurance, and fund management products and services.
After the establishment of Philam Life in 1947, the Philam Group has since expanded to include other affiliate companies, namely: BPI-Philam Life Assurance Company (BPLAC), Philam Asset Management Inc. (PAMI), Philam Call Center, and Philam Foundation.
Based on the Insurance Commission results as of 31 December 2017, the combined total premium income of Philam Life and BPLAC is at PHP40.2 billion, making it the market leader in the Philippines based on total premium income. Its strength and stability is further solidified with its top rank in terms of assets at PHP251.4 billion and net worth at PHP69.5 billion. It is a member of AIA Group Limited, the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group.
About AIA
AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively “AIA” or the “Group”) comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has presence in 18 markets in Asia-Pacific–wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, New Zealand, Macau, Brunei, Cambodia, a 97 per cent subsidiary in Sri Lanka, a 49 per cent joint venture in India and a representative office in Myanmar.
The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai almost a century ago in 1919. It is a market leader in the Asia-Pacific region (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$221 billion as of 30 June 2018.
AIA meets the long-term savings and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia-Pacific, AIA serves the holders of 32 million individual policies and over 16 million participating members of group insurance schemes.
AIA Group Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock code “1299” with American Depositary Receipts (Level 1) traded on the over-the-counter market (ticker symbol: “AAGIY”).
Media Contact:
Abbie L. Remo
Philam Life Head of Corporate Communications and PR
Telephone: +(632) 521 6300 local 2812
Email: Abbie-D.Remo@aia.com