AGNES C. BRILLANTE-SANTOS

 AGNES C. BRILLANTE-SANTOS

Agnes C. Brillante-Santos is a graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, where she earned her degrees in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accountancy (BSBAA). She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She also took graduate courses in Business Administration at UP and in Finance and Economics at the Institute of Canadian Bankers. She is the First Vice President and Head of the Financial Control Group of BDO Private Bank, Inc. (BDOPB). She has extensive experience in bank finance, comptrollership, accounting, operations, audit, and credit. Her first job was with SGV & Co. as an External Auditor in the Banking and Insurance Group. She later moved to the Bank of California (BankCal) as Chief Accountant and Credit Analyst. In search of greater challenges, she joined the Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank) as Operations Manager of the branch and later became Credit Officer at the Regional Office. Subsequently, she joined ING Bank (ING) as Vice President for Operations and IT Administration and later became Head of Finance and Information Control. Thereafter, she joined Banco Santander Philippines, Inc. (BSPI) as Vice President and Head of Financial Control. Subsequently, BDO Unibank acquired the Philippine operations of this Spanish bank. She received the coveted Bankers Institute of the Philippines (BAIPHIL) Pearl Award, the highest recognition granted by the institute, in 2007. She served on its Board of Directors for five terms and became its 66th President for Fiscal Year 2011–2012. The book “Beyond 70: In Full Flower Yet Continues to Take Root,” which chronicles seven decades of BAIPHIL, was written and published during her term. She is the incumbent Treasurer of the UP College of Business Administration Class 1973 and is a member of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Agnes completed her grade school and high school education at the PSU Laboratory School and Bayambang National High School, respectively. She was recognized by the Bayambang local government as an Outstanding Bayambangueña in the fields of Business Administration, Accountancy, Banking, and Finance. Since serving on the Board of the Bankers Institute of the Philippines (BAIPHIL) in FY 2007–2008, she initiated a collaboration among BAIPHIL, SM Foundation, Inc. (an affiliate of her employer, BDO), and the alumni of PSU/BNHS (her alma mater) to conduct annual medical, dental, and surgical missions in Bayambang for the less privileged. She has consistently brought her BAIPHIL organizing team, SMFI Mobile Clinic, and free medicines from “Gamot Para sa Kapwa” to Bayambang over the past six years. She also encouraged the active involvement of her friends and classmates. Consistent with her advocacy for financial and physical wellness inclusion, she brought the Financial Education Program (FEP) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and BAIPHIL to Bayambang to conduct free seminars on personal finance and values for students, teachers, and LGU employees. This initiative aims to instill good savings habits and responsible money management, leading to a better quality of life. Proud of her Bayambang roots and her kababayans, she introduced prominent leaders and townmates to the national banking community. When she initiated the publication of the first-ever BAIPHIL coffee table book, “Beyond 70: In Full Flower Yet Continues to Take Root,” she ensured that Governor Amado T. Espino and Mr. Cezar T. Quiambao—consistent supporters of the institute’s CSR projects—were featured. She continues to seek opportunities and developments that may benefit Bayambang and its people.