PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino 3rd on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) cited the Integrated Business Machines (IBM) for evolving with the times and becoming socially and technologically relevant to the growing needs of its client base.
In his keynote speech marking IBM’s centennial celebration at the Alice Tully Hall of the Lincoln Center in New York City, President Aquino called the company an innovator and a risk taker, making it a leader in information technology.
“It is an honor to be here at the IBM on its centennial, and to speak before such distinguished people about what I view as the future of leadership in the 21st century,” the President said.
“Who would have imagine a business that initially made scales, clocks and tabulating machines would one day be at the head of the pack in information technology, with a globally integrated enterprise employing more than 400,000 people? As the world evolved, so did IBM. When the world sought new answers to new concerns, IBM responded,” he added.
Mr. Aquino, who is in the United States for an official visit (September 18-23), told IBM officials and other guests present that his elder sister Pinky was an employee of IBM and it was in the halls of the company that his sister met her husband, Manolo.
“This goes to show that I am here this morning not only as President of a country that is grateful for your investments, I am here as a friend of the company, a friend to innovation, and a friend to harnessing the positive energies borne of risk-taking and the recognition of opportunities,” the President said.
