--AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY--
Good morning, and thank you everyone for attending today’s listing ceremony of Upson International Corp. We’re glad you’re here.
Let me begin by thanking our distinguished guests for their leadership and time. PSE Chairman Jose T. Pardo, Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, Mr. Ramon S. Monzon and the PSE Board of Directors and Management, thank you for all that you do to advance our country’s business sector and to ensure an efficient, fair, and orderly market.
A milestone like this is not achieved overnight. It doesn’t come together on its own either. It is the result of many people’s hard work. And that reminds me how honored I am to share this day with you.
When I joined the company nearly 30 years ago, UPSON was then known as Proton Microsystems. Our founders, William Lim, Ricardo Lee, and Lawrence Lee, had the sense that they were embarking on something big—bound together by their shared dedication and entrepreneurial spirit. The years that followed built a foundation on which the company grew, having our share of ups and downs, jubilant in our achievements, learning from our failures, while being resilient all throughout.
In 2003, our vision was born, and it was ambitious. We wanted to be all over the Philippines. We wanted to bring technology to Filipinos. And to do so, we understood that we needed to be bold. And we did. Within 18 months, we opened 60 new stores around Metro Manila and in key cities such as Cebu and Davao. This move started our fast growth. We quickly turned to be a trusted partner for the overwhelming majority of the top technology brands in the world, and we became deeply embedded in their own successes in the retail space here in the country.
It took us many years to work towards our vision. Over that time, I’ve watched the company grow, develop, and respond to changes. Today, I am proud to see that we have teams in almost every region nationwide. And this next stage in our journey looks as timely and exciting as every chapter in our history.
The ongoing digital revolution has accelerated and will continue in the coming years to enable not only growth and productivity but also inclusion and resilience. This, in turn, fuels our optimism that once more, our accessibility, availability, and authenticity will allow us to chart our desired future. After all, we are the digital partner of choice in the Philippines. With over 200 stores and the broadest range of information technology products, we are a partner to the Filipino consumer, and we are a partner to the world’s biggest brands looking to expand in this market.
With that, allow me to acknowledge and appreciate the many individuals and organizations who made this day possible.
To the SEC Markets and Securities Department and the PSE Listing Department, thank you for your wisdom and guidance. I am very grateful.
To our Auditor Reyes Tacandong & Co. and Counsels Picazo Law and ACCRALAW who provided an invaluable range of support during this entire process, thank you.
To the Deal Teams of our Underwriters, First Metro and RCBC Capital, thank you for being with us as we take this big step.
And, of course, to my fellow UPSON employees who are the true forces behind the milestone we are celebrating today, thank you for your commitment and hard work. May we all continue to move forward in Unity, Integrity, and Commitment.
Finally, to our shareholders, thank you for your confidence. Your trust inspires us to continue to execute and ensure that technology is within reach of everyone, everywhere in the country.
Thank you all so much. Have a great day!
