BIZ BUZZ: Happy day for Mark, Gabby

Hands down, this year’s birthday celebration should be among the most memorable for ABS-CBN chair Mark Lopez and his older cousin and former ABS-CBN chair emeritus Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III.

And why not when their beloved ABS-CBN just got an injection of fresh capital, with P2.2 billion coming from the Gabby camp and another P3.5 billion from investor I&C Holdings Corp.

The P2.2 billion came from the three branches of the Lopez family majority, comprised of Crème Investment Corp., Mantes Corp., and Presta Holdings Company Inc. that all subscribed to shares in ABS-CBN Corp.

“ABS-CBN has been part of this family for generations,” said Gabby, “The mission our family set out to pursue remains the heartbeat of this family—to be in the service of the Filipino. We are putting our own money behind this conviction.”

I&C Holdings Corp., meanwhile, a 100 percent Philippine-owned private investment holding company that invests for long-term company turn-around, will subscribe to P3.5 billion worth of ABS-CBN shares.

For the birthday boys, the substantial investment represents a vote of confidence in ABS-CBN.

“It tells us there are people who continue to believe in the company and in our mission of being In the Service of the Filipino,” said Mark.

It may just be a coincidence, but that they got their good news on a special day makes their birthday—Aug. 12 for Mark and Aug. 13 for Gabby—even more special in 2026.