Being real in a changing world

The invitation read: “Being Real in a Changing World.” With this theme, The Real Bank celebrated its 35th anniversary at the Rigodon Ballroom of The Peninsula Manila.

Vice President Jejomar Binay and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa graced the affair.

The Real Bank chairman Jose Araullo, in his keynote speech, said it would have been easier for him to have stuck to his original plan of retiring, reading his books and listening to music but the challenge of turning the bank into something better was too great to resist. With vision, passion and sincerity, he faced this new challenge head on and with success.

Bank executives said that with Araullo and the expertise of seasoned banker Alfredo Barretto as president, the bank steered towards being No. 9 among the country’s thrift banks.

The celebration started with a retrospective walk through an exhibit punctuated by the numerous awards the bank won here and abroad.

Vice President Jejomar Binay is flanked by The Real Bank chairman Jose Araullo and president Alfredo Barretto.

Significant partners were recognized. The Kabalikat Awards was given to the Department of Education for its staunch eight-year support to the bank’s advocacy on thrift and savings titled “Bata… Bata… Magimpok at Magsinop.” Loyal depositors were given the Kaibigan Awards and three bank employees received the Real Bank Awards, a recognition given to an employee for his exemplary and outstanding contribution to the company.

A heartwarming musical especially produced for the occasion with libretto penned by award-winning Luna Guiño Inocian directed by Jaime del Mundo with International acclaimed cinematographer Odie Flores as director for photography drew encores and non-stop applause.

Truly, The Real Bank is being real in a changing world.

Happy birthday celebrations at S Lounge

Photos by Norman Lleses

Birthday celebrators Ana Amigo-Antonio, Jing Uy and Roy Jorge with their gifts from Estee Lauder.

What do you get when you put Estee Lauder, Piper Heidsieck Champagne and Society Lounge all together? Answer: One heck of a birthday party! That’s what the five September celebrators Ana Amigo-Antonio, CJ Jaravata, Jing Uy, Nichole Ignacio-Shin and Roy Jorge said.

It was an amazing night as family and friends gathered together to celebrate the lives of these five people. The eclectic beats of DJ Boyet Sison livened up the ambience while the dry (but not too crisp) and fresh flavor of Piper Heidsieck Champagne quenched the thirst of the guests.

It was one heck of a party indeed, which lasted late the next day. Watch out for the next S Lounge birthday party happening on Oct. 28.

Happy birthday to Ana, CJ, Jing, Nichole and Roy!

Joteen de Jesus-Jimenez, Cila Reyes Chua and Grace Bermejo.

The ‘Rocket Man’ party

It was indeed a night to remember when HSBC Philippines president and CEO Tony Cripps hosted a cocktail at his South Forbes Park residence in honor of the group’s GM and head of international Asia Pacific Guy Harvey-Samuel.

The party titled “Rocket Man” featured a unique attraction — the hits of the original Rocket Man Sir Elton John as interpreted by Cookie Chua and Renz Verano.

Guests were welcomed with glasses of champagne and a mouth-watering selection of Cibo di M antipasti — grilled ensaymada squares dressed with pate slivers and drizzled with a balsamic reduction, chicharon curls topped with kesong puti mousse and adobo flakes and barquillos cylinders, filled with a creamy chive mousse and topped with either salmon roe or Parma ham.

They proceeded to enjoy Cibo’s sumptuous four-course dinner kicked off by a truffle-perfumed mushroom soup, dotted with chestnut crumble. This was followed by a pan-seared sea bass in parchment dressed with a garlic, caperberry, olive and lemon sauce and Angus short ribs served with red wine jus and horseradish cream. Dinner was capped off with sticky toffee pudding with cashew cream cheese and pecan caramello.

Tony Cripps, president and CEO of HSBC Philippines, welcomes guests to a night of Rocket Man at his home.

After dinner, guests enjoyed the show, singing along to well-loved Elton John classics like Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road and Candle in the Wind. The evening took an unexpected but even more enjoyable turn when after finding out that Cripps used to perform in a band, guests urged him to perform an impromptu number.

Harvey-Samuel thanked the guests for supporting HSBC. He said, “This warm welcome is highly appreciated, and I look forward to visiting the Philippines again. We thank you for making HSBC so successful here in the Philippines. Given the country’s strong fundamentals and steady progress, we look forward to even greater success for the bank and its clients for at least another 135 years.”