‘Moving on’ party
“Wise men make more opportunities than they find.†– Francis Bacon Sr.
Outgoing Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) president and chief executive officer Aurelio Montinola III recently celebrated his “moving on†party at the trendy La Veranda lounge of the Spiral restaurant in Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.
After ending an illustrious banking career with numerous merits and awards including the Management Man of the Year 2012 by the prestigious Management Association of the Philippines, the gentleman fondly called “Gigi†was feted by his immediate family, colleagues, a mix of friends from the different periods of his life — from his bachelorhood “originals†in the ‘80s, his Palmer/Young president organization in the ‘90s, French affiliation/wine society in the 2000s, and his golf group.
Gigi’s guests indulged in a culinary adventure and an overflow of Bordeaux wines skillfully selected by Gigi himself. Among the VIPs were Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe, French Ambassador Gilles Garachon, Canadian Ambassador Christopher Thornley with wife Catherine, BPI chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala with wife Lizzie and director Fernando Zobel de Ayala with wife Kit.
When asked about what he will be doing for his retirement, Gigi said, “I will be relaxing, traveling and making no big decisions until 2014, except to help my mom in Far Eastern University.â€
That’s the spirit!
GREETINGS
Happy birthday to our celebrators today, May Neri, Susie Bayot, Carolina Cruz and Marita Pascual Nuque.
Advance birthday greetings to elegant lady Ching Montinola, Lizette Cojuangco, Vicky Garcia and “Ballroom Queen†Becky Garcia, May 14; Gov. Justo Ortiz, Mari Lacson and Chit Lijauco, May 15; Rosarito Agustines, May 16; Gloria del Rio, Zita Feliciano, Alice Reyes and former DILG secretary Rafael Alunan, May 17; Toni Gregory Palenzuela, legal whiz Amado “Boy†Santiago, Gift Gate’s Virgie Ramos and Grace Palma-Tiongco, May 18.
So, how was your week?
(For comments or inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com.)
