The Board of Directors as of December 31, 2019 with positions held for the last Five (5) years.
Term of Office: One (1) Year
Mr. Eduardo R. Carreon, Director/Chairman of the Board
Mr. Carreon has been serving as a member of the Board of Director of First Metro Philippine Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. since June 2013, First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. since June 2018, and First Metro Save and Learn FOCCUS Dynamic Fund, Inc. (since June 2022).
He is President and CEO of CVLF Consultancy and Outsourcing Corporation since 2009. He served in various positions with Maybank Philippines since 1999. He was Consultant (2008-2009), and prior, Senior Vice President of the Enterprise Financial Services (2003-2008). He served as Consultant for Capital Advisors for Private Enterprise Expansion Inc. from 1998-1999. He was also Country Manager for Dow Jones Philippines (1995-1998); General Manager, Philippine Finance and Investment Company, Hong Kong (1979-1981); Assistant Vice President, PCIBank – 1974-1979; and Pro Manager, Citibank from 1970-1973.
Mr. Carreon graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He is also an MBA candidate from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business.
Mr. Michael G. Say, President
Mr. Say has been serving as a member of the Board of Director of First Metro Asia Focus Equity Fund, Inc., First Metro Consumer Fund, Inc., First Metro Philippine Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc., First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. (Chairman), and First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. (Chairman).
He is currently Chairman of the following companies: Capitalwise Groups Ltd., (2008 to present), Atlantic Archers Achiever Corporation (2004 to present), Hiratsuka Int'l Corp., Londonstar Corporation, and White Knight Productions Corporation.
He was the former Chairman for the following companies: Poc and Poc Corporation (2010 to 2016), Chic Uniform, Inc. (2002 to 2013) and Tokagawa Global Corporation (2004 to 2013).
Mr. Say graduated from De La Salle University with a degree in Management of Financial Institutions.
Mr. Winston Andrew L. Peckson, Director
Mr. Peckson has been serving as a member of the Board of Director of First Metro Philippine Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. since June 2013 and First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. since June 2021.
He has 40 years of experience in the banking industry. Among his past positions were Head of Treasury Marketing of Philippine National Bank (PNB) from 2009-2010; Vice President and General Manager of the Manila Offshore Branch of ABN-AMRO NV from October 1999-2009; VP and Corporate Treasury Advisor of Bank of America- Manila Branch from 1996-1999; CEO and Director of Danamon Finance Company (HK) from 1991-1996 and Manager Corporate Banking of Lloyds Bank PLC (HK) from 1986-1991, and VP(Commercial) at the Manila Offshore Branch. He is presently the Chief Risk Officer of GT Capital Holdings, Inc.
Mr. Peckson obtained a Master’s Degree in Business Management from the Asian Institute of Management in 1977, and he graduated from the Ateneo De Manila University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, minor in Business Administration.
Ms. Karen Liza M. Roa, Director
Ms. Roa currently serves as director of First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund, Inc. (since June 2022), First Metro Save & Learn Fixed Income Fund, Inc. (since June 2022), First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund, Inc. (since June 2022), First Metro Save and Learn Dollar (since June 2022), First Metro Asia Focus Equity Fund, Inc. (since June 2022), First Metro Consumer Fund, Inc. (since June 2022), and First Metro Philippine Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. (since June 2022).
She has over 25 years of expertise in the field of finance with a career that spans both domestic and international banking operations, she has a wealth of experience that fuels her financial skills. Has worked with some of the most renowned global companies in banking and asset management, such as Chase Manhattan Bank, SunGard Asia Pacific, trust banking groups of Philam Bank, and Citibank NA. She also served as President and CEO of Philam Asset Management, Inc. (PAMI). She was also a lecturer at the country’s top universities, Ateneo de Manila and UP, teaching business courses on strategy, investment management, and financial services. She is the currently the President and CEO of First Metro Asset Management, Inc. (FAMI).
Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas, Ph.D., Independent Director
He has been serving as a member of the Board of Director of First Metro Philippine Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. since April 2013, First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. since June 2021, and First Metro Save and Learn FOCCUS Dynamic Fund, Inc. (since June 2022).
He serves as University Professor and Vice President of the University of Asia and the Pacific. He is columnist for Manila Bulletin and Business World. He has served as Independent Director for Transnational Diversified,, Inc.from 2000 to the present. He has been the Chairman of Filipino Fund since June 2012. He has been the Chairman of the Board of the Benguet Corporation since 2010. He was in the boards of BPI, Globe Telecom, Insular Life, McDonalds, IBM, Rolls Royce, AES, and Alaska MIlk. He is a member of the boards of director of leading NGOs such as Dualtech Foundation and the Philippine Foundation for Cultural and Educational Development.
He also served as Chairman of Filipino Fund Inc. until February 2007, Co-Chairman until November 30, 2007 and served as its President. He served as Chairman, Department of Economics-De La Salle University Manila and Director, Economic Research Bureau and Graduate School of Business-De La Salle University Manila. He has been an Independent Director of Benguet Corp. since June 25, 1998. He has been a Director of Alaska Milk Corp. since August 2008. He served as Director of Bank of Philippine Islands from 1980 to 2000. He served as a Director of the Filipino Fund Inc., from June 1995 to November 30, 2007. He served as a Non-Executive Independent Director of Uniwide Holdings Inc., since September 11, 1994. He served as an Independent Director of Alaska Milk Corp. from 1999 to 2006.
Dr. Villegas holds a Ph.D. in Economics and M.A. in Economics from the Harvard University. He obtained his Bachelor's degrees in Commerce and the Humanities (both Summa Cum Laude) from De La Salle University.
Fr. Rafael K. Eloriaga, Independent Director
Fr. Eloriaga is also the Independent Director for First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund, Inc., First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund, Inc., First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc., First Metro Philippine Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. and First Metro Consumer Fund, Inc.
Fr. Eloriaga is currently the Vice-President for Finance of Adamson University (2016-present), a member of the Finance Committee, General Curia under the Congregation of the Mission (2013 to present) and joined as member of the Board of Trustees of the Universidad de Sta Isabel, Naga City (2016 to present). He was formerly the Cebu Business Center Head for Central and Eastern Visayas Senior Manager of BPI Family from 2005-2006 and the Provincial Econome, Philippine Province- Congregation of the Mission (2012- 2016).
Fr. Eloriaga took up his AB Philosophy and Letters at Dela Salle University in 1983 and his BS Accountancy at Fr. Saturnino Urios University in 1994. He finished the Curriculum of Ordained Ministry and Masters in Pastoral Theology at St. Vincent School of Theology.
Atty. Abelardo V. Cortez, Independent Director
Atty. Cortez has been serving as a member of the Board of Director of First Metro Philippine Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. since May 2014 and First Metro Save and Learn FOCCUS Dynamic Fund, Inc. (since June 2022).
He has over 25 years of banking experience both in the local and international banking industry, concentrating in treasury trust and private banking side of the business. Over this banking period, he held the following posts: Money Market Head- Rizal Banking Corporation (1978 to 1980); Vice President-Treasury Operations, Bank of the Philippine Island (1980 to 1986); Managing Director and CEO for 8 long years at BPI International Finance Ltd. (Hongkong) from 1987 to 1995; Vice President, Head/Private Banking Group- Bank of the Philippine Island (1995 to 1996); Director for Trust and Investments, ATR KimEng Capital Partners, Inc. (1996 to 2011); Independent Board Director, First Metro Investment Banking Corp. (2012) He was national FINEX President in 2007 and Co-Chairman of the country’s Capital Market Development Council in 2008; he was a former director/trustee of FINEX Foundation. He was likewise former director of First Metro Asset Management Inc.
At present, he is Board Director and Executive Committee member of IAFEI (International Association of Financial Institutes), a more than 50 year-old global financial organization based in Europe.
Currently, he also sits as Independent Director of First Metro Securities Brokerage Corp.
Atty. Cortez earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from San Beda College of Law, and was awarded the school's most outstanding student award (the Abbott's Award). He also completed his other collegiate diploma studies at San Beda College, Bachelor of Arts in journalism, first honor, Cum Laude.
Atty. Cortez writes FINEX business columns both in the Businessworld and Manila Bulletin.
In 2008, San Beda College Alumni Association voted him Most Distinguished Bedan Award in the field of banking and finance.