The Unicapital Finance and Investments Team
Our good governance is rooted in high standards of competence and expertise, as we continue to forge strong relationships with our clients.
The Unicapital Finance and Investments Team
Our good governance is rooted in high standards of competence and expertise, as we continue to forge strong relationships with our clients.
Board of Directors
MENARDO R. JIMENEZ, SR.
Chairman Emeritus of the Board
Aside from bring Chairman Emeritus of the board of Unicapital Inc., he is also the Chairman of the Board of the following companies: Fiber’s Trading, Inc.; Majent Management & Development Corporation; Meedson Properties Corp.; Nuvoland Phils., Inc.; Opticolors, Inc.; Tag Fibers, In.; and United Coconut Planters Bank. He also serves as the Director of Dasoland Corporation; Farmville Holdings Corporation; Mabuhay Philippines Satellite Corporation; Magnolia, Inc.; Pan-Phil AquaCulture Corporation; San Miguel PureFoods Co., Inc.; and San Miguel Corporation. He holds the position as a Chairman and President in Majent Agro Industrial Corporation; M.A. Jimenez Enterprises, Inc.; Pac Rim Realty Development Corporation; and Television International Corporation. Mr. Jimenez is also the Chief Executive Officer, at the same time as President and Director of Albay Agro Industrial Corporation, and a consultant for First Metro Investment Corporation. He served as President of GMA Network, Inc. from 1974 to 2001. He took his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Commerce from Far Eastern University. He also acquired his Doctoral degree in Business Management from both University of Pangasinan and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila as well as Doctorate in Communications from Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
Chairman Emeritus
ATTY. AVELINO J. CRUZ, JR.
Chairman
Atty. Avelino J. Cruz, Jr. has vast experiences in the general practice of law, including practice areas of litigation and dispute resolution, commercial and corporate, administrative, constitutional and election law. He also served the government in various capacities as: Secretary of National Defense from August 2004 to November 2006, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel from January 2001 to January 2004 and Active Executive Secretary from 2003 to 2004. Atty. Cruz graduated Salutatorian and Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines, College of Law in 1977 and placed 7th in the Bar Examinations of the same year. He has been admitted to the practice of law by the New York Bar and was Bar Examiner in Commercial Law in the 1995 Bar Examinations. He also finished BS Mathematics from the Ateneo de Manila University. As a student leader, he was President of the UP Law Student Government and the Ateneo Student Council. He was Senior Editor of The Philippine Collegian of U.P. and member of the editorial board of The Guidon of the Ateneo.
Chairman
FELIPE S. YALONG
Vice Chairman
Mr. Yalong is the concurrent Group Head of the Corporate Services Group of the Network. He has been a Director of the Company since 2002. Aside from GMA Network, Inc., he also serves as Director and Corporate Treasurer of GMA Holdings, Inc., Scenarios, Inc., and GMA Network Films, Inc.; Director of Unicapital, Inc., and Unicapital Finance and Investments, Inc.; Corporate Treasurer of RGMA Network, Inc., MediaMerge Corp.; Executive Vice President of RGMA Marketing and Productions, Inc.; and Corporate Treasurer and a Trustee of GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc.
Yalong was named CFO of the Year by ING FINEX in 2013.
He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration Major in Accounting from the Philippine School of Business Administration and completed the Management Development Program at the Asian Institute of Management. He is a Certified Public Accountant.
Vice Chairman
JAIME J. MARTIREZ
Director
Mr. Martirez is concurrently the Group President and CEO of the Unicapital Group of Companies and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Group. He holds other key positions in several private and publicly listed corporations that are engaged in the fields of energy, real estate, water distribution, and information technology Vice President and Director of MAJALCO, Inc., XCT Corporation, a supplier of IT equipments for BPOs’ and Des Eaux Utilities Co., Inc., a bulk water provider of several local water districts in Bulacan. He is likewise a Director and Vice President of MJ Realty; Treasurer of GJ Holdings; and President of Unoventure Inc., an enterprise facilities provider located in the PEZA Industrial Parks south of Metro Manila. He also sits as Director of Malayan Savings and Mortgage Bank, Insular Rural Bank and Acme Pawnshops, Inc. He sits as a Director of Basic Energy Corporation, a publicly listed company in the Philippine Stock Exchange engaged in oil and renewable energy exploration and heads as Chairman the finance and investments committee of the company. He is also the Treasurer and a Director of Unicapital Securities, Inc. He holds a degree in Business Administration from De La Salle University and completed his post-graduate courses from the Ateneo de Manila Graduate School of Business. Mr. Martirez is a member of the Makati Business Club, Charter member of the Rotary Club of Makati Ayala and a past member of the Manila Jaycees.
Director
GEORGE J. MARTIREZ
Director
Mr. Martirez is currently the 2nd Vice Chairman/CEO of Malayan Savings and Mortgage Bank and President of MAJALCO, Inc. Makati. He also serves as a Director of Unicapital Finance and Investments, Inc., Unicapital Securities, Inc. Acme Jewelry, Inc. and Acme Pawnshops, Inc. He holds a degree in Economics from De La Salle University and earned his MBA from the University of the Philippines.
Director
ATTY. MARIA ESTELITA B. ARLES-GOZON
Director
Atty. Arles-Gozon is currently connected with Belo Gozon Elma Parel Asuncion and Lucila Law Offices as an Associate Lawyer. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree Major in Literature and a Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English where she graduated cum laude from the De La Salle University. She received her Juris Doctor title from the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law in 2009. She is a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
Director
BEN THOMAS P. PAÑARES
Advisor to the Board
Mr. Pañares is the President and CEO of Unicapital Securities, Inc. and is the Managing Director of Unicapital Inc. and Unicapital Finance and Investments, Inc. He has extensive experience in the different facets of financial services in both the US and Asia covering the areas of Wealth Management, Asset Management, Private Banking, Trust, Investment Advisory and Financial Services. He was the former President of ATRAM Inc. and Chief Marketing Officer of ATRAM Group as well as the former President of Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Philippines. Prior to this, he was the Chief Operating Officer of Sun Life Asset Management Company, Philippines. He holds a degree in Business Management from Ateneo de Manila University and a Masters in Business Administration in International Management from Thunderbird, School of International Management in Glendale, Arizona.
Director
Laura Jimenez-Westfall
Director
Director
Jose A. Nuñez, JR.
Independent Director
Currently, Mr. Nunez is an Independent Director of Unicapital, Inc. and Unicapital Finance and Investments, Inc. Mr. Nunez is also acting Director and Treasurer of Lear Aero Ltd., Inc., Bukidnon Hydro Electric Corporation, La Costa Development Corporation, and Agus 3 Hydropower Corporation. In the Public Sector, Mr. Nunez is acting Vice Chairman for Al Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines and DBP Leasing Corporation. He was also the Chairman of the Development Bank of the Philippines and DBP Provident Fund from August 2010 to February 2017. He completed his Master’s in Business Administration from Ateneo de Manila University in 1978 and received his Bachelor of Arts degree Major in Economics Honors Program from Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan in 1972.
Independent Director
ALEXANDER A. PATRICIO
Independent Director
At present, Mr. Patricio is also an Independent Director for the Intellicare Group of Companies and Chinatrust Banking Corporation. He was previously connected with the Development Bank of the Philippines as Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer from 2013 to 2017. Prior to joining DBP, he was with ING Bank Philippines from 1995 to 2013 where he occupied key roles as Head of Corporate Lending Group and as Country Risk Manager. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) and a lifetime member of the Financial Executives Institute (FINEX). He has a Masters in Business Management from the Asian Institute of Management and a Bachelor of Science major in Industrial Management Engineering from De La Salle University.
Independent Director
ANSON T. UY
Independent Director
Mr. Uy is concurrently the Chairman of the Board of Expresspay, Inc. and the President and CEO of Sagesoft Solution, Inc. He graduated cum laude from the Ateneo de Manila University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Engineering. He is a Director of Gideon Venture Capital, New Union Philippines, Nxtlvl Academy, Parallax Fraud Technologies, Inc., Redental Technologies, Inc., Redstar Asia Solutions, Inc. Vireef Digital, Inc. and Xirrus, Inc. He also joined Touch Solution, Inc. as President and CEO from 2007 to 2013 and concurrently Treasurer of Phylasso Corporation.
Independent Director
Our Team
JAIME J. MARTIREZ
Director
Mr. Martirez is concurrently the Group President and CEO of the Unicapital Group of Companies and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Group. He holds other key positions in several private and publicly listed corporations that are engaged in the fields of energy, real estate, water distribution, and information technology Vice President and Director of MAJALCO, Inc., XCT Corporation, a supplier of IT equipments for BPOs’ and Des Eaux Utilities Co., Inc., a bulk water provider of several local water districts in Bulacan. He is likewise a Director and Vice President of MJ Realty; Treasurer of GJ Holdings; and President of Unoventure Inc., an enterprise facilities provider located in the PEZA Industrial Parks south of Metro Manila. He also sits as Director of Malayan Savings and Mortgage Bank, Insular Rural Bank and Acme Pawnshops, Inc. He sits as a Director of Basic Energy Corporation, a publicly listed company in the Philippine Stock Exchange engaged in oil and renewable energy exploration and heads as Chairman the finance and investments committee of the company. He is also the Treasurer and a Director of Unicapital Securities, Inc. He holds a degree in Business Administration from De La Salle University and completed his post-graduate courses from the Ateneo de Manila Graduate School of Business. Mr. Martirez is a member of the Makati Business Club, Charter member of the Rotary Club of Makati Ayala and a past member of the Manila Jaycees.
President and CEO
BEN THOMAS P. PAÑARES
Advisor to the Board
Mr. Pañares is the President and CEO of Unicapital Securities, Inc. and is the Managing Director of Unicapital Inc. and Unicapital Finance and Investments, Inc. He has extensive experience in the different facets of financial services in both the US and Asia covering the areas of Wealth Management, Asset Management, Private Banking, Trust, Investment Advisory and Financial Services. He was the former President of ATRAM Inc. and Chief Marketing Officer of ATRAM Group as well as the former President of Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Philippines. Prior to this, he was the Chief Operating Officer of Sun Life Asset Management Company, Philippines. He holds a degree in Business Management from Ateneo de Manila University and a Masters in Business Administration in International Management from Thunderbird, School of International Management in Glendale, Arizona.
Managing Director
MICHELLE M. UNGCO
Senior Vice President, Corporate Planning and Marketing
Michelle started her professional career in the fast-moving consumer goods industry (FMCG) as part of the brand management team of Colgate Palmolive Philippines, Inc. before later on moving to Kraft Foods Philippines. In 2008, she joined the General Management Program of ING Insurance Asia/Pacific where she worked on branding and marketing projects of the ING Investment Management Personal Financial Services team in Manila and the ING Insurance Corporate Communications team in Hong Kong.
Michelle is a graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Management and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Asian Institute of Management.
Senior Vice President, Corporate Planning and Marketing
LYNDON C. LIM
Senior Vice President, Accounting and Operations
Lyndon joined the Unicapital Group as SVP Accounting and Operations in April 2023. A Certified Public Accountant by profession, he started his career as an auditor at PWC Philippines where he worked for 3 years before joining the Manila Office of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC). In his 25 years with HSBC, he was assigned to various departments such as the Securities Services group where he was exposed to the Philippine capital markets, the Trades Services Group where he gained his exposure in corporate banking and the Credit Card Operations Group where he gained his retail banking experience. His final years with HSBC were spent in the Finance Dept as the Head of local regulatory reporting and doing compliance advisories on BSP regulatory matters. Lyndon was also part of the pioneer team which started the operations of CIMB Bank Philippines primarily responsible for setting up its accounting system. He was also the Head of both the Head Office and Local Regulatory Reporting units of the Bank. His last position in CIMB was the OIC of the Finance Dept.
Lyndon received his Bachelor of Science, Major in Accountancy degree from the Philippine School of Business Administration where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Senior Vice President, Accounting and Operations
VICTOR JOSEPH L. GUERRERO
Vice President, Structured Finance
Vic is currently serving as the Vice President of Unicapital Finance and Investments, Inc. His main responsibilities include developing new credit facilities, leading the sales team, streamlining the overall operations, and improving business relationships and partnerships. He has been in the financing industry since 1991, prior to joining the company, he served as the Marketing and Business Development Head of Sumisho Motor Finance Corporation, Sales and Marketing Head for Basis Financial Services, Inc. and Makati Finance Corporation. He obtained his degree in A.B. Economics from the University of Sto. Thomas.
Vice President, Structured Finance
MARGARITA C. CHUA
Vice President, Human Resources
Ritz joined Unicapital last November 2018 as Head of Human Resources and Administration of the Unicapital Group. She has a total of 20 years of experience in Human Resources and Administration from different local small, medium companies, and foreign IT companies as a Human Resource Head.
Ritz is a Certified Human Resource Professional ( CHRP) recognized by the International Federation of Professional Managers of the United Kingdom. She also has a diploma in Human Resource Management, Organizational Development, and Labor Relations from Miriam College. She is also a Certified Safety Officer 2, and a Certified First Aider.
She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with flying colors at the Philippine Women’s University.
Vice President, Human Resources
ATTY. AIRENE P. CARANDANG
First Vice President, Legal & Data Protection
Atty. Carandang is a CPA lawyer and is the Corporate Legal Head and Data Protection Officer of the Unicapital Group. Prior to joining Unicapital, Atty. Carandang was an associate lawyer of Picazo Buyco Tan Fider & Santos Law Offices, where she gained extensive experience in corporate and taxation law. Her practice areas include mergers and acquisition, capital markets, competition law, real estate and taxation. She also became an associate lawyer of Angara Abello Concepcion Regala and Cruz Law Office under its Taxation Department. She is a certified public accountant and has audited publicly listed companies as an assurance associate of SGV & Co. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in accountancy in 2009 at the University of Santo Tomas and her Juris Doctor degree in 2015 at the Ateneo De Manila University, where she graduated with honors.
First Vice President, Legal & Data Protection
FREDA N. CANALES
Assistant Vice President, Accounting
Eds is currently the Assistant Vice President of Accounting for Unicapital Group. She proved herself to be a loyal advocate of the company with 17 years of experience in the Accounting Department. She is also a registered Associated Person for Unicapital Securities Inc.
Her responsibilities include the accurate and timely preparation and analyses of all facets of the financial operations of Unicapital Group including financial statement preparation, cash management and budget preparation.
She is a DOST scholar grantee and a graduate of the University of San Jose Recoletos with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy.
Assistant Vice President, Accounting
DIANA CRIZEL L. MONTES
Assistant Vice President, Marketing
Diana Montes, currently the Assistant Vice President for Marketing at Unicapital, has a well-rounded background in Brand Management, Trade Marketing, and Account Management. She has worked in various sectors, including retail with SM Supermalls, distribution at Global Pacific Distribution Network Corporation, and creative agency work at J. Walter Thompson – Manila. Her experience also extends to telecommunications, with roles at Source Telecoms and Eastern Telecoms. Diana’s broad experience equips her to effectively contribute to Unicapital’s marketing initiatives.
Assistant Vice President, Marketing
ELOISA M. RALUTIN
Assistant Vice President, Internal Audit
Eloi joined Unicapital as AVP for Internal Audit in April 2024. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with extensive experience in Internal Auditing and Bank Branch Operations. Three (3) years as Area Operations Officer at Eastwest Bank (EW) handling 14 branches in Greenhills and Mandaluyong areas. Another fifteen (15) years as Audit Manager in BPI contributing expertise in Risk Identification, Management and Control.
She conducted numerous fraud investigations while at BPI and EW. And she was able to identify a system glitch which led to a significant improvement initiative.
Aside from her extensive experience in banking, she had also done general accounting and taxation as a freelance accountant.
She completed her Bachelor of Science in Accountancy at Jose Rizal University as Cum Laude.
Assistant Vice President, Internal Audit
PARK LYNDON A. DEOMANO
Senior Manager, Group Compliance
Park is currently serving as the Group Compliance Officer. He has fifteen (15) years of banking experience in compliance, AML, credit, branch operations, remedial, and ROPA.
Prior to joining Unicapital, he worked with PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies / Cebuana Lhuillier Bank for more than 2 years as OIC/Head of AML Department where he oversaw and led the AML Department in the implementation of the Bank’s AML Program/Plan to ensure compliance with AMLA Law, as Amended, its IRR and AMLC regulatory issuances.
He also worked in Eastwest Bank as a Compliance Assurance Officer. He was an Asset and Remedial Management Specialist for 3 years and became Deputy Compliance Officer for almost 5 years at Equicom Savings Bank. He also worked at China Banking Corporation as a Teller, and at Tiaong Rural Bank as Credit/Loans Supervisor and became Admin for Acquired Assets.
He obtained his degree in A.B. Economics from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo (PLSP) with academic distinction.
Senior Manager, Group Compliance
VLADEMIR E. ROCHA
Senior Manager, Loans and Credit Processing Unit
Emir joined the Unicapital Group as the Head of the Loans and Credit Processing Unit (LCPU) in November 2023, bringing with him a distinguished career marked by extensive experience in finance and management. His expertise spans microfinance, SME and commercial lending, credit analysis, and risk management.
Previously, Emir excelled as the Business Cluster Head at Legazpi Savings Bank, where he played a pivotal role in expanding the client base and enhancing branch operations. His career also includes key management positions at BDO Unibank, Metropolitan Bank, and BPI, where he demonstrated exceptional skills in credit evaluations, account management, and client relationship building.
He holds an MBA from San Beda College and a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from Adamson University, further enriched by specialized training in credit, leadership, sales, and insurance. His academic credentials and professional achievements reflect a strong blend of strategic insight and practical expertise, driving significant success for both himself and the organizations he serves.
Senior Manager, Loans and Credit Processing Unit
LENIE L. PARAS
Manager, Operations
Lenie is a dedicated and committed Operations Manager having been with Unicapital Inc. for the past 25 years. She is responsible for managing the operating systems and processes of the Operations Department including overseeing all aspects of documentation with a focus on process efficiency. She graduated from Far Eastern University with a Bachelor of Science Major in Biology.
Manager, Operations
PENAFRANCIA BARBACENA
Manager, Credit
When Penny joined the UFII last March 1, 2024 she was hired as SME Loans Underwriter, and she has shown exemplary performance in handling her work as an underwriter. Her extensive experience from different financing companies for more than 15 years in Credit and Collections as Head of the team. The higher officers have seen her capability and she was immediately promoted to handle the position of Credit Manager. She continuously contributes greatly to her professional career to the company.
Penny had her Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising and Public Relations at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
Manager, Credit
Gary F. Toledo
Assistant Manager, Collections and Remedial Management
Gary currently serves as the Assistant Manager of Collections and Remedial Management Unit. He brings with him nineteen years of extensive experience in credit collections, negotiations, payment arrangements, credit investigation, judicial and extrajudicial settlements, and property appraisal. Gary’s expertise in the field has enabled him to manage a wide range of complex situations and achieve strong results consistently.
Prior to joining Unicapital, Gary served as a Collection and Documentation Specialist at Century Properties Group, Inc. He has also worked as a member of the back-end recovery unit in BDO under Peso Group. Moreover, from 2004 to 2010, Gary was the Unit Head Credit and Collection for esteemed companies such as Safety Enterprises and Unique Motors Dealership in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
Gary holds a Bachelor of Science Major in Accountancy from Claret College in Basilan Province. He also passed the Police Officer 1 exam.
Assistant Manager, Collections and Remedial Management
VICTOR P. MACAPAGAL
Manager, Information Technology
Vic joined Unicapital as the Head of the IT Department. Prior to joining Unicapital, he has gained years of experience in different companies as an IT support specialist, as a Linux and Windows system administrator, and as head of network and infrastructure.
Manager, Information Technology