Belle Corporation celebrated its 45th founding anniversary on August 20, 2018 at its corporate headquarters in Pasay City.

Willy N. Ocier, Belle Corporation Vice Chairperson; and Manuel A. Gana, President and Chief Executive Officer, led the momentous occasion and were joined by Belle’s management, officers and staff.

In his anniversary message, Mr. Ocier recalled the humble beginnings of the Corporation. “Forty-five years is a reason to celebrate and to give thanks. In 1988, our family acquired Belle Mining and Oil Exploration and transformed it into a property company. And basically injected Tagaytay Highlands into Belle, and thereafter we became a property developer,” he said.

Mr. Ocier also took the opportunity to remember and acknowledge Belle’s former chairman and thank Belle’s stakeholders. “I’d like to take this opportunity to remember our former chairman, my father, Benito Tan Guat, who basically encouraged me to build companies and provide employment in our country and to make sure that everything is properly done and to make money with honor. Again, I want to honor my parents who passed away two years ago today. And I would like to honor them, their memory, by thanking you all for being with this Company and helping us grow.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Gana also addressed the Belle employees and guests present. He said the Company “has made great strides and has become a more substantial entity.” "I’d like to thank all of you for your continuing contributions for the progress of Belle. And we’d also like to thank the Ocier family and the SM Group for the valuable support that Belle has obtained over the years and helping it become the company that it is today,” he added.

A Holy Mass officiated by Fr. Aldrin Suan and participated in by Belle stakeholders was held onsite earlier.

About Belle Corporation

Belle Corporation is a developer of tourism and leisure destinations in the Philippines. Its principal asset is the City of Dreams Manila in PAGCOR Entertainment City by Manila Bay, which is being leased on a long-term basis to Melco Resorts and Entertainment (Philippines) Corporation (Melco). In addition to lease income, Belle is accorded a share in revenues or earnings from City of Dreams Manila’s gaming operations through the operating agreement between its 78.7%-owned subsidiary, Premium Leisure Corporation (PLC), and Melco. Belle also owns approximately one hectare of presently undeveloped land across from the City of Dreams Manila site.

South of Metro Manila, Belle owns significant real estate assets and develops premium residential resort projects around Tagaytay City. Among its exclusive destinations are the club and golf facilities and residential communities of Tagaytay Highlands and Tagaytay Midlands, as well as a further 800 hectares intended for future development.