With Gina’s passing, we lost a fervent advocate of children’s rights and protection, a passionate proponent of sustainable livelihood among the underprivileged, and an unswerving champion for environment preservation.
The whole ABS-CBN family profoundly mourns the passing of Regina Paz “Gina” Lopez, chairman of ABS-CBN Foundation.
With Gina’s passing, we lost a fervent advocate of children’s rights and protection, a passionate proponent of sustainable livelihood among the underprivileged, and an unswerving champion for environment preservation.
Her tireless commitment to these advocacies gave birth to Bantay Bata 163, Bantay Kalikasan, and other programs under ABS-CBN Foundation. Before serving as Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission chairperson and as Department of Environment and Natural Resources secretary, she also pushed for numerous campaigns and projects, including Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig, No To Mining in Palawan, the reforestation of the La Mesa Watershed, and the TV program “G Diaries” – all of which made a lasting impact on communities.
Gina was the pillar of strength that pushed AFI to achieve what seemed to be impossible. Her caring heart and selfless kind of love inspired people within and beyond the organization to help and serve others.
While we mourn with Gina’s family and loved ones, we also pray that her legacy continues to live on in the heart of every Kapamilya she had touched in her lifetime.
We will never forget her and will continue to honor her remarkable contributions not only to ABS-CBN, but the entire nation.
Thank you Gina, for showing us how it is to live in the service of the Filipino.
Bio of Gina Lopez
REGINA PAZ “GINA” L. LOPEZ
She was the Chairman of the ABS-CBN Foundation, the socio civic arm of the ABS-CBN . Under her leadership, Gina launched Bantay Bata 163 – the first rescue hotline for children in Asia. In 1997, Bantay Bata was the United Nations Grand Awardee for Excellence besting 187 countries all over the world.
Gina founded Bantay Kalikasan, a program that advocates for the protection of the environment. Its most notable achievements include the successful reforestation of the La Mesa Watershed and the rehabilitation of 17 esteros of the Pasig River. For her efforts in rehabilitating the river, she was appointed in 2010 by President Benigno S. Aquino as the Chairperson of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission.
Gina pioneered Educational Television (ETV) in the Philippines which put in place video libraries in 10,000 public schools. ETV aired in the span of 15 years, 16 educational television which include shows on Science (Sineskwela), Math (Math Tinik), Values (Hirayamanawari) History (Bayani) and English (Epol /Apple). For Sineskwela, Gina was honored with the Unesco Kalinga Award, the first Southeast Asian to earn such a distinction.
She was also the Vice-Chairperson of ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation, which provides microfinance assistance to micro-entrepreneurs and Chairman Emeritus of Southeast Asian Children’s Television.
In June 2016, Gina was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in an ad interim basis. On May 3, 2017, the
Commission on Appointments formally rejected her appointment as Environment Secretary.
Gina hosted an environmental show on ABS-CBN, entitled “
G Diaries,” which premiered on June 4, 2017. The show focuses on environmental conservation, area development, and innovations.
She became the first Filipino to be awarded the prestigious
Seacology Prize on October 5, 2017 at Berkeley, California for her “exceptional achievement in preserving island environments and culture.”
Gina attended Assumption College and Newton College of the Sacred Heart in Boston. She has a Master’s Degree in Development Management from the Asian Institute of Management and a Doctorate Degree in Humanities, Honoris Causa from the Ateneo de Naga University and another Doctorate Degree in Humane Letters, Honoris Causa from the Palawan State University. She had two sons, Roberto and Benjamin.