Boardroom Tea: Megawide Edgar Saavedra's succession strategy; DZMM relaunched

Salve Ibaňez

ABS-CBN News

<div><strong>EDGAR SAAVEDRA’S SUCCESSION STRATEGY</strong></div><p>Perhaps the most zen billionaire in town—Edgar Saavedra—keeps his cool during these turbulent times by religiously maintaining at least three non-negotiables. One: obsessing over good hair days to the point where ensuring his locks have proper volume becomes a daily mission. Two: sweating it out doing CrossFit at the gym like his life depends on it. Three: remaining refreshingly chill about whether his children will eventually join the family empire.</p><p>“They are very young. If you force them to manage the business eventually, you could be setting them up for failure,” Ed told me.</p><p>Currently, Ed’s most trusted lieutenant overseeing Citicore Energy REIT Corporation&#x27;s (CREIT) aggressive expansion and delivering an additional gigawatt annually from 2026 onwards is Oliver “Olie” Tan. He acknowledges several other senior management talents, but admits they’re hovering around his demographic—roughly the fifties, though I won’t betray exact ages.</p><p>Thus, Ed champions millennials and younger generations despite their reputation for being more emotional and less focused. Unlike many Gen Xers in the business arena, he genuinely believes they’re a transformative force because they bring desperately needed balance to corporate culture. His passion for mentoring the next wave runs deep—providing them with essential skills that we Generation X absorbed from our boomer parents, minus the soul-crushing pressure that nearly destroyed our collective mental health.</p><p>This philosophy seems increasingly trendy among the business A-list. Boardroom Tea insiders observe that while Hans Sy’s son Chico undergoes intensive grooming, none of Tessie Sy-Coson’s children appear anywhere near the corporate spotlight. They’re gravitating toward artistic pursuits and building lives beyond Metro Manila’s concrete embrace. “Don’t send your children overseas—they won’t want to come back,” one insider told me, quoting TSC.</p><div><strong>DEAR ATE CHARO ON DZMM</strong></div><p>Emotions ran beautifully high during DZMM Teleradyo’s triumphant relaunch at Ayala Museum, masterfully produced by Papa Ahwel Paz and led by the incomparable Charo Santos-Concio. Old and new Radyo Patrolers gathered to experience the nostalgic return of beloved DZMM songs, signature stingers, and those unforgettable commercials that defined Filipino radio culture.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17496443565643.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Papa Ahwel Paz with Charo Santos-Concio during the relaunching event of DZMM</span></span></span></div><p>Household legends Kabayan Noli de Castro, Tita Winnie, Tyang Amy, and other iconic voices graced the celebration, but sharp observers noticed fresh talent commanding attention. The evening perfectly showcased DZMM’s commitment to seamlessly blending legacy with innovation—veterans like Peter Musngi once again lending his “golden voice” to DZMM, alongside stalwarts Doris Bigornia, Dennis Datu, and Noel Alamar, while rising stars Alvin Elchico and Johnson Manabat are clearly being positioned for bigger roles.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:750px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17496444061642 (1).jpg" style="width:750px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Charo Santos-Concio with the men and women of DZMM</span></span></span></div><p>Adding to the nostalgia was the surprise appearance of Martin Nievera, who sang the classic DZMM commercial jingle—a touching nod to the station’s golden era that had everyone misty-eyed.</p><div><strong>TEARFUL GOODBYES</strong></div><p>The leadership of the Securities and Exchange Commission turned up in full tearful force last week for final goodbyes and tributes for outgoing SEC Chairman Emilio Aquino, who turned over the baton to new chairman Francis Lim this week.</p><p>While other commissioners like Kelvin Lester Lee and Ephyro Luis Amatong even gave video messages, one current commissioner was notably absent. We wonder whether the assignments for each commissioner will be changed. Abangan.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17496444425271.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"> Outgoing SEC Chairman Emilio Aquino</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>BAD VIBES</strong></div><p>One of the country’s top 10 billionaires becomes visibly agitated whenever succession planning hits the boardroom agenda—to the point of dramatically storming out in obvious irritation. One can only speculate why that particular topic leaves such a bitter aftertaste. Guess who?</p><div><em>Boardroom Tea comes out every Wednesday</em></div>

<p>Perhaps the most zen billionaire in town—Edgar Saavedra—keeps his cool during these turbulent times by religiously maintaining at least three non-negotiables.</p>

Perhaps the most zen billionaire in town—Edgar Saavedra—keeps his cool during these turbulent times by religiously maintaining at least three non-negotiables.