Yupangco Group Supports: CEO Robert Laurel Yupangco at Asia Leaders Awards 2018

Robert Laurel Yupangco with Jake Zyrus

Last November 15, 2018 from 7PM to 11PM, the Gala Night and awarding ceremony of the much awaited “Asia Leaders Awards 2018” was held at Isabela Ballroom, Makati Shangrila Hotel. The venue is packed with leaders from different industries; CEOs, Actors, Singers, Hoteliers, Diplomats and Government Officials. 

Here are the list of awardees in no particular order;

1. Dr. Andrew Tan (Megaworld)
2. Robbie Antonio (Revolution Precrafted)
3. Mayor Evelio Leonardia (Bacolod)
4. Arch. Kaydee Velasco (KMV Asia)
5. Delton Triguero (Next Generation Construction and Supply Corporation)
6. Sykes Asia 
7. Sitel 
8. Seda Hotel BGC 
9. MCCS Business Process Solutions Inc
10. Raymond Francisco (Frontrow International)
11. Thierry Tea (Philjets)
12. Lawrence Li Tan (A Thousand Concepts)
13. Therese Madrigal (The Madrigal Foundation)
14. Regina De Ocampo (Filremit)
15. Merle Balicao (Mer-Nels Cake house) 

Special Awards;
1. CEZA Administrator, Sec. Raul Lambino 
2. Concert Director, Frank Lloyd Mamaril
3. Musical Director, Adonis Tabanda
4. Artist, Jake Zyrus 
5. Editor, Anna Sobrepeña
6. CEO, Raymond Francisco 

One of the judges who is part of the awards committee is the dashing bachelor, Robert Laurel Yupangco. 

He is the grandson of our former president of the Philippines, Jose P. Laurel. He is famous as the Zooperman of the Philippines for managing 5 Theme Parks (Zoobic Safari in Subic, Zoocobia in Clark, Pampanga, Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite, Zoori at Residence Inn Tagaytay and Zoocolate Hills in Bohol) with animals that includes Lions,Phytons, Crocodiles and different kinds of birds among others with more than 50 tigers and hundreds of horses. The theme parks are part of Zoomanity Group which is under the Yupangco Holdings Corporation with more than 5000 team members. 

Robert graduated at De Lasalle University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration then continued his education at Asian Institute of Management, Harvard Business School and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in USA. 

His influences include his parents and family which includes the late Vice President of the Philippines, Salvador “Doy” Laurel where he served as one of his campaign manager during his time. 

Robert right now is also managing different restaurant branches under one of the famous Korean BBQ in the Philippines, Samgyupsalamat, which is famous for having customers up to 2am everyday because of its super affordable rates and delicious side dishes. His branches includes at Century City Mall in Makati, Metropolitan Road in Makati, Inside Residence Inn Tagaytay and soon to have at Trinoma Mall in Quezon City. 

When asked about his success, “It’s always about the team. The team is the one making it successful. I’m just giving them guidance. All of my properties and businesses, there’s always one Operation Manager who is making sure to implement a difference for their teams. They are so empowered that sometimes I don’t need to say anything anymore, they know what to do.” 

Once in a while, even with his busy schedules with a standard 10am to 2pm office meeting with the team, he is making sure that he can play golf with friends. That’s only one way for him to relax and to get some insights with regards to current events and politics though he is trying not to be involved unlike his Grandfather, President Jose P. Laurel and uncle, Uncle, the late Vice President Salvador “Doy” Laurel.

Robert also received so many awards already and that’s why he is in full support for Asia Leaders Awards 2018. His awards includes Kalakbay award (highest award in tourism under President Fidel V. Ramos, Entrepreneur of the year under President Joseph Estrada, Most Outstanding Tourism Entrepreneur Under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, A Go Negosyo Awardee, Best Theme Park in the Philippines and the recipient of the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards (APEA) for Tourism. 

Robert Laurel Yupangco received the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards (APEA)

When asked about why he is involved now in Asia Leaders Awards 2018, “We need to acknowledge the leaders we have now in the Philippines and beyond as they are the ones promoting their respective country and making a difference in their own ways.” 

Robert added, 

“For me, success for employees are executing and doing the right things  at the right time,right place and with the right person/s/employee/s. A good organization inovates and markets outstandingly!! As I keep on saying, its not the company making the the team ...its the team that makes the company!!.”

Robert also added, “Objective of Zoomanity Group is to  touch the lives of filipinos and tourist in the field of hospitality,tourism,agri,and other related businesses.”

Asia Leaders Forum is a series of events with different leaders as speakers. Those who graced already were; Arch. Jun Palafox, Robert Laurel Yupangco, Sec. Raul Lambino, Executive Director Pepeton Ejercito Goitia, Charlie Rufino and Dr. Elton See Tan among others. The awards is the culmination of the long year forums to acknowledge the leaders who are promoting the Philippines as the premier business hub in Asia and destination and since Robert is in the Tourism industry, it is also part of his advocacy. 

When asked about his last message about his company, “What makes us different is because of our team!!(which makes our company not the company making the team).”