AIM’s First Hybrid and International Grand Alumni Homecoming

The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns in the last three years resulted in the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) holding the annual homecoming celebrations virtually. But things changed on 25 February as the AIM community finally gathered for the biggest alumni event of the year at the Main Lounge of the Manila Polo Club.

The first onsite celebration was also a hybrid event. Thus, alumni unable to join their cohorts in Manila still enjoyed a virtual participation, thanks to Zoom and Facebook livestream. This also marked the first hybrid and international homecoming in the history of AIM.

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The four lead host classes of 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2003 spearheaded the homecoming ad hoc committee alongside the Alumni Relations Office and the Alumni Association of AIM, Inc. (AAAIM).

 

 

WELCOMING THE AIM COMMUNITY

Homecoming emcees Greg Atienza (MBM 1983) and Karen Villegas (MBM 2003) opened the event with a roll call of classes who were celebrating   their milestone anniversaries after graduating from the Institute.

Homecoming 2023 Chairman Raffy David (MBM 2000) welcomed the AIM community to the event following the roll call. In a brief message, he emphasized that the main goal for the event is to provide the alumni, especially the golden jubilarians, the grandest alumni homecoming.

Raffy was then followed by AAAIM Philippine Chapter Chairman Junjun Dayrit (MBM 1977). He addressed the attendees with a robust welcome. Federation of AIM Alumni Chairman and Thailand Alumni Association President Sumeth Amornjaruchit (MM 1986) took to the stage to thank everyone for coming. He   also encouraged alumni to actively participate in future events.

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  AAAIM Chairman Junjun Dayrit, MBM 1977

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  Sumeth Amornjaruchit, MM 1985

After key alumni gave their welcome addresses, AIM President and Dean Dr. Jikyeong Kang expressed her gratitude to the homecoming committee for a job well done. Making note that the 2023 Homecoming was one of the best she has attended in recent years, she also took the opportunity while on stage to take a selfie with all the attendees in the Main Lounge.

 

CELEBRATING THE GOLDEN JUBILARIANS

Master of Business Management (MBM) 1970, 1971, 1972, and 1973 are the first four cohorts which graduated from the Institute. Though the homecoming was a celebration for all, these classes were front and center in an event that also commemorated the fifty years following their postgraduate studies at AIM. Many members of these classes have made their mark in different industries in the Philippines and in the world.

 

Golden jubilarians in attendance were invited to the stage, one class at a time. They were awarded a medal for their 50th jubilee anniversary. It was a full circle moment as the lead host classes and cohorts who were celebrating their 20th anniversary placed the medals on their seniors.

 

Award-winning singer, songwriter, and classically-trained soprano Lara Maigue also serenaded the jubilarians.

 

2023 TRIPLE A AWARDEES

Awardees of the 2023 AIM Alumni Achievement (Triple A), the highest distinction given to an alumnus/alumna of the Institute, were also present during the event. They were awarded on 24 February 2023 at Fuller Hall. The 2023 Triple A Awardees are:

• Blaise Lawrence Costabir, MBM 1992 – Founder and Managing Director, GMI Zarhak Moulders Pvt. Ltd.
• Dato Azaman Bin Abu Bakar, MM 1978 – Executive Deputy Chairman, Muda Holdings Berhad
• Francisco “Jay” Bernardo III, MBM 1993 – Chairman and President, Bayan Academy
• Shin-Min “Robert” Lin, MBM 1982 – Chairman and CEO, Children’s Publications Co. Ltd.
• Charu Manchanda Nair, MBM 1989 – Chief Executive Office, Keys 2 Dei Group

 

ALUMNI CHAPTERS SPOTLIGHT

Due to the hybrid nature of this year’s grand alumni homecoming, alumni chapter leaders had the option to attend onsite or through Zoom. Chapters physically present at the event were given a chance to greet everyone during the program. They also gave a brief background about their respective chapters.

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MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES

Every homecoming, classes who celebrate their 45th, 40th, 35th, 30th, 25th, 20th, 15th, and 10th year anniversaries are also given recognition.

 

Some classes played short videos as they were invited onstage. Once there, they enjoyed a sweet serenade by Lara.

 

CONTINUING THE TRADITION

The last part of the program gave the spotlight to the lead host classes celebrating their 20th anniversary.

Each lead host class went onstage to present a five-minute video about their class. Accompanying these were lively renditions by Lara Maigue of popular songs from their decade.

Following the video presentations, the four lead host classes took turns passing the torch. At the end of the line was batch 2004. They will be the lead host class for the AIM Grand Alumni Homecoming 2024.

 

 

The AIM Alumni Relations Office would like to thank everyone who attended this year’s Grand Alumni Homecoming. It is truly remarkable to see alumni connect and rekindle relationships built at AIM.

We would also like to express our profound gratitude   to batches 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003 for a job superbly done in organizing such a memorable event.

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Watch the event video HERE.

 

words by Janelle Erika Santos

edits by Bernie Jiao