The Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC), one of the largest conglomerates in the country with diversified interests in different industries, has been actively involved in various Corporate Social Responsibility Programs since way back, either as a group (YGC) or through its numerous member-companies.

Last October 24, 2008, another milestone was etched in the rich history of YGC with the launch of the Buhay Rizal Project, a three-year values formulation program focused on emulating the life of Jose Rizal.  Throughout its years of existence, YGC has consistently campaigned the life lived and values espoused by Dr. Jose P. Rizal.  Buhay Rizal thus served as the avenue that best suits this purpose.

YGC has always stood by its belief that the values and teachings of Rizal, our national hero, remain relevant and critical to nation-building. It is the cherished dream of YGC to see our nation’s youth emulate these values and teachings, knowing fully well that only good things await them by doing so.  The values and teachings have been applied in the way things are run at YGC, and management has attributed, in part at least, the success it has attained to this practice.  Rizal’s presence in YGC is very evident, and this includes the name of its flagship company, the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation and the Malayan Insurance Co., Inc. (Rizal being the pride of the Malay race), the leading non-life insurance company in the Philippines.

What’s heartwarming about this project is that several parties are involved in its initiatives, effectively maximizing its span and reach – from the YGC member-companies and their employees and customers, to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, various Local Government Units, Department of Education, the Knights of Rizal, and selected public high schools and their students, among others.

We, at YGC, want to impart this to the rest of the Filipino people - that if we were able to successfully apply the values and teachings of Rizal at YGC, we see no reason why these should not be the case for other people and institutions as well.  This is our cherished dream, and through the Buhay Rizal program, we hope to turn this dream into reality.