Effective communication is essential in any organization, with leaders making space to listen, respond, and consistently engage with their people. Here at Aboitiz, this commitment to open dialogue is simply part of our work culture.
By Lorenne Anacta
As another year comes to a close, so does another meaningful season of SuperDuperCon (SDC)—a series of candid conversations where Aboitiz Group President and CEO Sabin M. Aboitiz (SMA) meets with hundreds of team members across the organization.
More than a regular town hall, SDC has become a defining part of the open and agile culture within the Aboitiz techglomerate. It’s a space where innovative ideas are exchanged, questions are welcomed, and insights and laughter are shared freely.
Its roots trace back to March 27, 2017, when SMA first launched “SuperCon” within Pilmico (now Aboitiz Foods) as an intimate venue for open dialogue. What began as small, personal exchanges grew into a regular cadence of engagement that would later evolve into the group-wide SuperDuperCon we know today. As Talyn Tago, Pilmico’s SuperCon program lead, fondly recalls, “SMA is, at his core, a People and Culture leader who anchors every conversation on what matters most: our people. He invites difficult questions, encourages honest dialogue, and creates space for others to speak openly. His personable leadership and sincere interest in people fueled the success of SuperCon. It thrived for six years in Pilmico because he made it a priority to listen, connect, and learn with others.” That spirit of connection resonated deeply. And SuperCon’s success did not go unnoticed: it was honored with a Philippine Quill Award of Excellence in 2019, recognizing its outstanding contribution to internal communications.
From those early days in the Food Group to today’s group-wide platform, the essence of SuperDuperCon remains unchanged—authentic connections. It continues to serve as SMA’s bridge to the people of Aboitiz, one conversation at a time.
The Season 6 Recap
Season 6 delivered one of SDC’s most dynamic lineups yet, with eight episodes covering the full breadth of the Group. Before SMA would set foot on stage, GT Storytellers shared inspiring transformation stories, new products and campaigns took the spotlight, and CEOs offered punchy previews of where their businesses were headed. These became the opening acts: high-energy moments that warmed the crowd and built anticipation for the main event.
The season itself began by “connecting the dots” on AEV’s direction, revisited the Aboitiz Foods journey, explored UnionBank’s forward moves, and highlighted CitySavings’ push for simplicity. We then looked at Aboitiz InfraCapital’s next bets, celebrated Aboitiz Construction’s 50th year, unpacked agility with Aboitiz Land and Aboitiz Economic Estates, and closed the year with an essential discussion on cybersecurity. Together, the episodes showcased the diversity, momentum, and shared transformation shaping the Aboitiz future.
Four Messages From SMA That Moved Season 6
Across Season 6, four core messages from SMA stood out:
- “Connecting the dots will do three things: It will make us faster, smarter, and simpler; It will challenge us to focus on what truly matters in any given situation; and It will make sure that everything we do delivers real impact and value to both the Aboitiz Group and to ourselves as individuals.”
- “Here, if you see something wrong, you will be rewarded for speaking up—not punished. If you see a risk, or an opportunity, or something doesn’t sit right—speak. Speak with honesty. Speak early. Because silence is louder in the end. Remember this: accountability means owning your part, and speaking up when it matters.”
- “Simplifying doesn’t have to be dramatic. It just has to make someone’s day easier, faster, or clearer… So let’s take a look at what we’re doing — and ask: Is this really adding value? Or is there a simpler way?”
- “The people who succeed the most aren’t the smartest or the most experienced — they’re the ones who stay curious, flexible, and open. They don’t say, “This is how I’ve always done it.” They say, “Let’s see if there’s a better way.” Adaptability is not about surviving change — it’s about shaping it. Don’t just react. Build. Influence. Lead. Change will always be uncomfortable — but so is progress. And we’ve never been afraid of either.”
The SDC Groufie
Sabin’s now-iconic “SDC Groufie” traces back to when he launched the Aboitiz Group digital transformation program during the AEV Christmas Party in 2016. The moment captured his message that disruptive technology, mobile tools, and digital-native A-People were reshaping how we live and work. The groufie became a symbol of the culture he envisioned: breaking barriers, embracing digital-first thinking, and enabling seamless collaboration. That message remains just as relevant today, sharpened further by his 2022 Techglomerate direction, which reinforced innovation, data, and interconnectedness as core drivers of the Group’s strategy.
The Team Behind SDC
Behind every episode is the AEV Reputation Management Department—a tight crew of communications and tech experts who come together like the Avengers, each with a unique skill working toward one mission. Each episode is run in-house, planned one to two months ahead with the co-host business unit, from storyboarding and rehearsals to tech tests and full pre- and post-event content preparations.
What fuels the team the most is meeting people across the Group—experiencing different cultures, offices, leaders, branding styles, and energies. Diverse, yet unmistakably #OneAboitiz. As SDC Executive Lead Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar shares: “SDC has become the place where the whole Group converges—different business units, different voices, one dynamic conversation. And with SMA leading with such openness and energy, it’s amazing how technology lets us connect like we’re all in the same room.”
What’s Next?
SuperDuperCon’s Season 7 (FY 2026) is already shaping up to be an exciting one, with AboitizPower, Aboitiz Foods, and others preparing to take the spotlight—plus hopes for an offsite session in Visayas or Mindanao.
And as SMA always says, “the more difficult the question, the better,” so expect next year’s episodes to push bold ideas, honest dialogue, and deeper conversations across the Group. Bigger stories, bolder questions, and broader perspectives—proof that six seasons in, SDC continues to evolve and elevate the conversations that shape the Aboitiz Group.
Got ideas to help us make SDC even better? Send them to reputation.mgt@aboitiz.com.
