MEDIA RELEASE 20 November 2012

DOT, Meralco to make Christmas brighter and more fun The annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program of the One Meralco Foundation, Maliwanag ang Pasko (MAP), is beaming this year with new partnerships with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and various local government units (LGUs). In his welcome remarks during the press conference held last 16 November 2012, Meralco Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said that year after year, MAP looks forward to an increased community effort, counting on various municipalities' participation. Driven by the primary objective of creating brighter homes and a better future for underprivileged children, MAP has tapped the support of different LGUs since its launch in 2006. This year, MAP turns even more radiant with the DOT sharing in its vision of lighting up the Philippines and positioning the country as a premiere tourist destination this Christmas. Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. responded positively to this newfound partnership with Meralco as one worthy cause of bringing the spirit of Christmas to all communities in the country. He said in his keynote speech, "By leveraging on this one season that is almost always associated with our brand, Christmas is more fun in the Philippines because we celebrate it the longest, and we celebrate it the best." According to Meralco Senior Vice President, Head of Customer Retail Services of Corporate Marketing & Communications Al Panlilio, this year's MAP is shining brightly and proudly with 27 participating municipalities and cities from Metro Manila and its neighbors from the Greater Manila Area. Meralco will launch Liwanag parties in its Ortigas compound on November 20, while partner LGUs will receive Meralco starter kits consisting of a Maliwanag ang Pasko parol and 500 boxes of Christmas lights to start lighting up their communities. The "Best Liwanag Park"

DOT Media Release November 2012

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award will be given to the most beautifully-lit communities. The DOT has committed to sponsor the cash awards at P100,000 for the 3rd place, P150,000 for the 2nd place, and P250,000 for the grand winner. Every year, the Meralco "Maliwanag ang Pasko" aims to reach out to less fortunate areas such as the children from Isla Verde in Batangas last year. MAP has since donated multimedia equipment and microphones to deserving community schools, and provided electricity to far-flung areas that still live in darkness. For 2012, MAP will be extending electrification assistance to Buenavista in Bohol and Dinagat Islands in Mindanao, among many others. "Nobody is left behind when our bright tomorrow comes," MAP Program Head Jeffrey Tarayao exclaimed. For the younger crowd, the Maliwanag ang Pasko mobile app is also readily available for download, where one can upload photos of well-lit houses for a chance to win P5,000 daily from 1 22 December 2012. "The creation of Liwanag parks will bring our people together, making the Christmas spirit stronger as we approach the actual day. And yes, it is a vision that can only be made through collaborative efforts. This newfound partnership, therefore, is one perfect example that hinges on private-public partnership. This time, it is focused on the business of giving glory, where both parties work with their strength to create something bigger than themselves, reflecting the true spirit of Christmas," Secretary Jimenez enthused.

### CONTACT: EVELYN A. MACAYAYONG Office of Marketing Communications 525-1805

DOT Media Release November 2012

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Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. delivering his keynote speech.

During the partnership agreement signing with LGU heads and representatives (standing behind from L-R): DOT Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr., Meralco Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, Meralco SVP Al Panlilio, and MAP Program Head Jeffrey Tarayao.

DOT Media Release November 2012

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