Escaler: From coffee to scandal

Before he was stuck in the middle of a $2-million controversy involving political power brokers now in high office, Ernest Escaler was happy producing organic vegetables, Broadway musicals and gourmet coffee.

Escaler has been mentioned as the conduit in the supposed $2-million transaction between Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez and Justice Secretary Hernando Perez. The money was said to have been deposited in an alleged account in Coutts Bank in Hong Kong.

Who is this mysterious Escaler?

He is one of the producers of the musical Flower Drum Song starring Lea Salonga, now playing on Broadway.

He is also chairman of the Asian Cultural Council-Philippines. As chairman of ACC-Phils., he earlier this month hosted a gala reception for David Rockefeller Jr. and other trustees of ACC-New York. In attendance were President Arroyo, Perez, Speaker and Mrs. Jose de Venecia, and Sen. Francis Pangilinan, among other political and social luminaries.

Escaler has managed some artists and actors, including Filipino-American actor Rob Schneider of Deuce Bigelow fame.

Escaler started out as a gentleman-farmer in the organic Gourmet Farms. He is now reportedly also into hydroponic farming.

He is also a great cook, and started the Gourmet Café chain of restaurants.

He is an Atenean and counts among his friends the "Spirit of ’67 Band" with whom he sometimes used to sing during the band’s gigs.

But the latest addition to his otherwise wholesome resumé may force investigators and similar like-minded inquisitors to have him "show us the money."

An informed source also clarified it is Escaler’s brother and not him who is the "socialite," as he has been described in recent media accounts.