Toasting with Taipans

There was a hush that came over the crowd of taipans who gathered at the swank Forbes Park residence of Martin Romualdez recently. During the Smart Infinity and Nokia dinner organized by businessman Macario Te together with Martin Romualdez, Raoul Romulo and Anthony Te, the captains of industries and young, rising corporate leaders did not discuss the usual pressing political matters of the day, but were excitedly guessing who gets to take home two new high-tech Nokia 8800s with their Smart Infinity subscription.

Luck proved kind to businessmen Lorenzo Tan and William Go, who went home with the most advanced phone unit fit for industrialists of substance. Other guests also took home the same unit with a complimentary 091-8800 vanity number simply by subscribing to Smart Infinity.

While the overflowing and super delicious Chinese lauriat dinner was in order, there was also entertainment by popular jazz artist Mishka Adams and flowing cognac shots by Hennessy XO and VSOP. Smart PCMSD head Boy Martirez and his magnificent team, KRMD head Julie Carceller, postpaid marketing head Jon-Jon San Agustin and Infinity product manager Tom Valderrama, together with Nokia product manager head Jouni Halme and his super group of Smart account manager Cristina Trinidad, corporate communications manager Luanne Erni, after market services head Jay Exconde, controller Noel Oribello and Nokia 8800 product manager Anabelle Co, thanked the guests profusely for sparing their valuable time and making the smart choice.

Congratulations!

Here's to Guatemala!

Amelia "Mellie" Ablaza, the Consul of Guatemala in Manila, and her husband Louie Ablaza Jr. hosted a cocktail reception to honor newly accredited Ambassador of Guatemala to the Philippines, non-resident Arturo Duarte Ortiz, at the Champagne Salon of the Manila Hotel.

After the presentation of Ambassador Ortiz’s credentials to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the Malacañang Palace and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Park, it was but fitting to toast to the good health and prosperity of Ambassador Ortiz, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and President Oscar Berger Perdomo of the Republic of Guatemala and the eternal bonds of friendship between the peoples of both nations.

Congratulations, Ambassad or Ortiz!

All about gentlemen

Once a year, the Manila Gentlemen’s Club meets at the top restaurant of their choice for their annual get-togethers.

Le Soufflé at The Fort is the venue of choice, and for good reason, thanks to the culinary genius of master chef Andreas Katzer and his superb team who have elevated Manila dining experience to a whole new art form with their distinctive and sophisticated dishes.

Recently, chef Katzer along with Le Soufflé chefs Ricky Bernas, Prudencio Lazona and Paul Canzana took home silver medals in a Market Basket Classical competition, proving once again why Le Soufflé is consistently ranked as one of the best restaurants in the Philippines and the venue of choice for those with discriminating taste like The Manila Gentleman’s Club.

Congratulations to the team of Chef Andreas Katzer. Keep up the good work!