Ex-AIM president Felipe Alfonso dies

MANILA, Philippines – Former Asian Institute of Management (AIM) president and Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) chairman Felipe Bacani Alfonso passed away on Friday, April 5, a week before he was about to turn 76.

In a statement, AIM expressed condolences to the family and loved ones of Alfonso who has been a prominent figure in Philippine business and academia.

“With the passing of Fil, AIM has lost one of its beloved professors and leaders. His integrity, humility, compassion, sincerity, selflessness, mentorship, and dedication to being of service to others will be missed and remembered,” AIM said.

Alfonso was most well known for his years at the AIM where he was among the founding professors. He served as AIM’s president from 1990 to 1999, and steered it to become the top business school in Asia at the time. Under his watch, AIM won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for International understanding, the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Peace Prize.

His academic expertise included human behavior in organization, general management, organizational development and corporate citizenship. He was behind the school’s initiatives in development management.

He was the pillar behind AIM’s Center for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which helped elevate corporate consciousness in Asia.

He served in various corporate boards as independent director, focusing on sustainability issues and development. The companies include:

• Meralco, chairman from 1994-2001
• Jollibee Foods Corp.
• Lopez Holdings Corp.
• PHILAM Funds
• STI
• Phinma

He was also active in various influential business and civic organizations, including the Makati Business Club and the Lopez Group Foundation. – Rappler.com