2020, August 16. China Bank Centenary
Litho Offset, Amstar Printing Company, Inc.,
Perf 14
Se-tenant Pairs, Sheets of 40
12p ChinaBank Building
12p ChinaBank Anniversary Logo
First Day Covers:
Manila
China Bank
Centenary, 1920-2020
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic
and ban on mass gatherings, China Bank celebrated its milestone
Centennial Anniversary last August 14 and 16 in a quiet but
meaningful way. In his message to all employees, Chairman Hans T. Sy
expressed his pride and gratitude for the Bank’s success:
"The gravity of the pandemic
situation necessitated modification of plans, but it doesn’t
diminish the significance of the occasion—China Bank is 100-years
strong and continues to be very resilient and responsive to our
customers and employees’ needs.... Let’s continue to pursue change
and innovation with eyes on the future, and more importantly, let’s
continue to support and help people, businesses, and society prosper
in good times and be resilient in bad times."
China Bankers nationwide
expressed on social media their love and gratitude for the bank they
call their second home. Posts of employees onsite and working
from home cheerfully but safely celebrating China Bank’s 100th year
flooded Facebook, Instagram, even Tiktok.
In the same message, the
Chairman announced the Centennial Stock Grant plan to provide
regular China Bank Group employees with 100 China Bank shares for
every year of service, subject to regulatory approvals and
ratification at the special stockholders’ meeting on October 1.
“We recognize and appreciate
your dedication, deep sense of ownership, and natural inclination to
do what’s best for the Bank and for our customers. Now, you’re
not only emotionally invested in China Bank, you own part of it,”
he said.
The restored façade of
China Bank’s original head office in Binondo unveiled on August 14
and the online Thanksgiving masses on August 16 made the simple
celebration joyful and poignant.
"Once completed, the building will be more resilient and
sustainable. This restoration and heritage project is China Bank’s
contribution to the revitalization of Binondo," said Sy.
Even with the muted
celebration, China Bank’s message will resonate in the next 100
years: Times change but values remain.