Education and Training:
- Liberal Arts Degree, Major in Mathematics (Honors Program), summa cum laude, De La Salle University in 1974
- As one of the most accomplished graduates of his alma mater, he was elected as member of the Board of Trustees of various De La Salle Schools in the country where he served for six years until December 2019: De La Salle University-Manila, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas and De La Salle Health Sciences Institute.
Membership in the Board of Listed Companies:
- Manila Water Company, Inc.
- AC Energy Corporation
- iPeople, Inc.
Membership in the Board of Non-Listed Companies:
- Bank of the Philippine Islands Savings Bank
- BPI Capital
- Ayala Foundation, Inc.
- AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation
- Ayala Retirement Fund Holdings, Inc.
- Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc.
- Healthway Philippines, Inc.
Positions in Other Organizations and Corporations:
- President of Ayala Retirement Fund Holdings, Inc.
- Advanced Info Services, PLC (Thailand)
Mr. Ablaza was the President and CEO of Manila Water Company, Inc. from 2010 to 2017. He was also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Manila Water Philippine Ventures, Inc., Boracay Island Water Company, Inc., Clark Water Corporation, Manila Water Total Solutions Corp., Manila Water Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Manila Water South Asia Holdings Pte. Ltd., Thu Duc Water Holdings Pte. Ltd., Kenh Dong Water Holdings Pte. Ltd., and Manila Water International Solutions, Inc. He was also the President of Manila Water Consortium, Inc. and Manila Water International Solutions, Inc., Vice-Chairman of Laguna AAAWater Corporation, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Manila Water Foundation, Inc.
In 1997, Mr. Ablaza was the Chief Operating Officer of Globe Telecom, Inc. and became President and CEO from 1998 to April 2009. He was also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Innove Communications, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Globe Telecom Inc. from October 2003 to April 2009. In April 2009, he was tasked to handle AC Capital as Deputy CEO and became CEO the following year.
Before joining Ayala Group, he held several positions in Citibank: Vice-President and Country Business Manager for the Philippines and Guam of Citibank, N.A. for its Global Consumer Banking Business (1994-1997), Vice-President for Consumer Banking of Citibank, N.A. Singapore (1994 – 1995), Vice President for Consumer Account Management Group-Citibank Manila in 1986 and thereafter became the bank’s representative to the board of directors of City Trust Banking Corporation and its various subsidiaries from 1987 to 1994.
In 2004, Mr. Ablaza was recognized by CNBC as the Asia Business Leader of the Year, making him the first Filipino CEO to win the award. In the same year, he was awarded by Telecom Asia as the Best Asian Telecom CEO. In 2013, he was recognized for his consistent leadership and innovation across the banking, investment, telecommunications and utility service industries through the Citi Distinguished Alumni Award for Leadership and Ingenuity. Mr. Ablaza was the first and only Filipino to be awarded with such an honor.