Ty family welcomes SEA finance ministers to their home

MANILA, Philippines - A silver sky, the vibrant hues of a floral summer garden, and sumptuous fare — this was the backdrop that welcomed ASEAN finance ministers and bankers from the Metrobank Group to the genteel home of the Ty family.

Metrobank Group chairman and founder Dr. George Ty opened the doors of his elegant abode to the illustrious group of delegates of the 10th ASEAN Finance Ministers’ Investor Seminar (AFMIS) last month. The event was a run-up to the World Economic Forum on East Asia, which the Philippines hosted for the first time on May 21 to 23.
The dinner was an exemplary display of true Filipino festivity and hospitality: guests were escorted through a singakaban arc of flowers and into a sprawling backyard, where they were received by Dr. George Ty and the lady of the house,  Mary Ty.

Dining inside a clear tent, guests lounged under the night sky amid bright lights in the garden with chairman Arthur Ty and president Fabian Dee. Tables were laid out in white and gold, with bright splashes of bromeliads, curcumas, ornamental pineapples, gerberas, berries, and atsuete-ring centerpieces. To complete the Flores de Mayo theme, lace umbrellas adorned the tables, while floaters brightened up the pool.
It was also a feast for the palate.

Award-winning chef and CEO of JCS Gastronomie Inc. Jessie Sincioco served traditional Filipino and fusion dishes. Guests couldn’t get enough bistek and lechon drizzled with homemade liver sauce. A certified halal menu was served to the Muslim guests: tomato salad and kesong puti flavored with pesto vinaigrette dressing, duck adobo with crispy skin, and grilled tiger prawns. Dessert was no less flamboyant with Malacañang chocolate rolls, halo-halo, and turon. While guests savored the gastronomic experience, the Manila Symphony Orchestra played fine music in the background.

Attending the dinner was Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, who was eloquent about the opportunities the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community would bring. He noted that the AFMIS was instrumental in the formation of the Roadmap for Monetary and Financial Integration of ASEAN (RIA-Fin), which is crucial to the economic integration of the Southeast Asian countries.
A gathering that showcases traditional Filipino hospitality is a good way to firm up relations among business leaders and key government personalities in the region. The Philippine experience granted guests a taste of good food and culture, and warm friendships that transcend borders.