Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) President and CEO Ricky Vargas recently met with 2011 University of the Philippines (UP) Valedictorian John Gabriel Pelias.
During the meeting, Pres. Vargas commended the 19 yr-old BS Math summa cum laude for garnering the highest general weighted average in UP since World War II.
“John’s character reflects the kind of talent we are looking for. Not only has he shown excellence in his field, he was able to triumph over adversity and become an example to his peers,” said Vargas. “Exceptionally talented people like him will always have a place in Maynilad,” added Vargas.
Pelias had a GWA of 1.016 – UP’s highest in 63 years. He beat the record of professor Emerenciana Yuvienco Arcellana who graduated with a GWA of 1.193. Pelias put himself to school through various scholarships as he and his Lola Sandra had “no family income” to speak of.
Pelias’ meeting with Pres. Vargas also led to preliminary talks on how Maynilad and the UP Institute of Mathematics can work together in the immediate future. “We are always looking for partnerships that will allow us to reach our overall goal – which is nation building,” stated Vargas.
Maynilad is owned and managed by DMCI-MPIC Water Company, Inc. (DMWCI), a joint venture between Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) and DMCI Holdings, Inc. (DMCIHI).
PHOTO CAPTION: Maynilad executives Roy Evalle (leftmost), Ricky Vargas (2nd from right) and Pato Gregorio (rightmost) welcome the 2011 University of the Philippines Valedictorian John Gabriel Pelias (3rd from right) along with Dr. Jose Maria P. Balmaceda and Dr. Marian P. Roque of UP Diliman’s College of Science, Institute of Mathematics.