Lucky charm

Citra Metro Manila Tollways Corp. president Cezar Quiambao has been flying regularly to Cebu.

The talk is Mr. Quiambao – who shares with former President Marcos a strong belief in the luck that the number seven brings – is negotiating for a long-term lease of a lake that could potentially supply potable water to Cebu City.

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No, former Trade and Investment Development Corp. of the Philippines president Joel Valdes is not having his books audited at SGV & Co.

The reason why Mr. Valdes is seen a lot at the SGV Bldg. along Ayala Ave. is because he holds office there as president and chief executive officer of Transaction Advisory Services Inc., a member firm of Ernst & Young Global Ltd.

Here in the Philippines, TASI is the management consultancy arm of Ernst & Young while SGV is the arms-length auditing partner.

By the way, Mr. Valdes is not only in charge of the Philippines but, as of this week, also of Vietnam.

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Did you know 1: There have been clinging bamboos recently found in the forests of Palawan and Mindoro. This particular bamboo, which is thinner in diameter in most, are highly malleable and "vine-y".

In some cases, the bamboo curls at the tip, which some people claim is a sign of luck.

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Did you know 2: Those Grades A and B or exportable tiger prawns or sugpo will have to be technically renamed tiger shrimps soon. It seems scientists worldwide have agreed that shrimps will refer to those grown in sea water while prawns will refer to those grown in fresh water.

Under this definition, the ulang – which are normally grown together with tilapia and are at least P150 a kilo cheaper than sugpo – will probably be the country’s only prawn entry in the list of the Food and Agriculture Organization (when we finally decide to inform FAO).

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Here is the gist of a letter dated June 15 and written by Alfredo Bengzon, who is – hold your breath – president and chief executive officer of The Medical City and vice-president for the Professional Schools and Social Development and concurrent dean of the Ateneo Graduate School of Business of Ateneo de Manila University.

"...We have moved not only all records but all our medical facilities to the new and larger site on Ortigas Ave. The New Medical City actually began operations on Thursday, June 10, 2004.

"... The old building at the corner of San Miguel Ave. and Lourdes St. will not be converted into a medical school. In fact, the whole site is up for sale.

"The Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health will be located right beside the New Medical City in an adjacent lot. Following out timetable, we will begin construction of the ASMPH next year even as the pre-professional preparatory courses are rolled out at the same time. All of the above have been approved by the Ateneo University Board of Trustees and has the firm support of key alumni."

My reply: Let’s all hope then that there are enough Ateneo alumni with deep and generous pockets come fund-raising time, Dr. Bengzon.