[2][3] AIA Philippines was founded in 1947 as Philam Life by Cornelius Vander Starr, the founder of AIG, and his partner Earl Carroll.

[5] On November 3, 2009, the American International Assurance (AIA Group) bought 99.78% stake of Philamlife after approval of government regulators.

[6] On November 27, 2009, the new Philamlife bought a 51% stake in Ayala Life and formed a joint venture with the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI).

The medium-rise block was a rectangularly-planned structure with a centralized core that allowed some 20,000 square meters of office space to be naturally daylighted through the use of wraparound ribbon window glazing and aluminium sunshades supported by pipes and millions.

Arguelles also used the artwork of Filipino artists like Galo Ocampo and Manansala to enhance the clean, spacious and brightly lit interiors.

This horizontal definition countered the bulk and height of the building, allowing it to blend with the design context of the low-rise district of Manila.

[13] The original uptown regional office on Osmeña Boulevard would later become the new corporate headquarters of Virginia Food, a local processed meat manufacturer.