"Lighting the Second Century" is an insight into the world of Meralco Corporation, the largest electric distribution utility in the Philippines, which is today under the aegis of a new chairman whose foresight and passion for innovation has made the company what it is today – a provider of total energy solutions. From its 100-year history solely as a distributor of electricity, Meralco at 113 today is the people’s choice for their energy needs, a company whose commitment to seamless quality service and pursuit for excellence is legendary.
The book is a front seat into the workings of a blue-chip company – how it performs as an icon of industry, how its pulse throbs for the newest innovation and technology in the realm of global energy and power, and how its heart beats for the needs of the underprivileged.
"Lighting the Second Century" is a highly illustrated case study on how a business giant leads, excels and serves.

To differentiate it from a corporate book published several years ago, design of "Lighting the Second Century" was aligned with the new branding of the company - that of a modern organization attuned with the fast-paced digital era and abreast with modern technology. Its look had to be upbeat, fresh, out-of-the box and edgy , thus the use of fonts, forms and shapes to liven the corporate story. A plasma ball with an image of the Meralco headquarters as its nucleus, takes center stage on the cover. The black background represents the state of darkness without electrical power services of Meralco. Flashes of white energy from the ball symbolize the energy that the company brings to its franchise areas.
Roman numerals from 1903 (the founding of Meralco) to 2009 (the takeover of new owners) line the lower edge of the page to represent the old Meralco under the old guards; while numeric numbers (from 2010 to 2015) on the upper edge of the cover represent the number of years of Meralco under its new dynamic leadership. Silver foil stamping is used for the cover; silver ink with spot varnish, for other text. A quote from the chairman sets the tone for the book.

"Lighting the Next Century" had two launches at the iconic Meralco building before Christmas 2015: one was via a press conference cum launch attended by journalists and writers covering the business beat of major Philippine broadsheets; and the other, a formal launch attended by captains of industry, investors and partners of Meralco and officers of the company. As part of its PR program, the company has donated copies of the book with universities and colleges with a strong business course so that students can learn that success and service are twin values that are inseparably intertwined; and that innovation is imperative in this highly competitive digital era where the customer is king.