Only for a chosen few

A person’s signature can be his most powerful weapon — it can make him a married man, a benefactor, a game-changer. After all, it wasn’t only John Hancock who made history with his signature.

A signature can also open doors, close deals, and even be a stamp of a baby’s legitimacy. But for the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), a 167-year-old financial institution, the oldest in Southeast Asia, it’s the key to the best life that you can afford.

So when BPI launched its new BPI Visa Signature card, we knew it was going to be game-changing. After all, it targets only the tip of the social pyramid in the Philippines, “a card that we offer to the smallest but most valuable segment of our over eight million retail clients,” BPI president Cezar Consing said at a dinner at the Grand Hyatt Manila that was a signature in itself with its presentation and taste.

(From left) Stuart Tomlison, Jojo Ocampo, Jenny Lacerna, Visa’s Jay Tirona and Dan Wolbert.

 “The BPI Visa Signature card is positioned as potentially the most valuable premium credit card issued by a Philippine bank. It is in fact our bank’s first ultra premium credit card,” Consing added.

The grand BPI Visa Signature card launch was attended by the bank’s most valued clients, partners and media guests, who were wined and dined in a special signature dinner prepared by Hyatt’s executive chef Mark Hagan. To give them a taste of a curated lifestyle, the chef concocted a menu inspired by the card’s three pillars: wellness, luxury and travel. The main courses were inspired by different destinations: Switzerland for the chicken roulade, Turkey for the prawns in kataifi pastry; Ireland for grilled lamb chops and China for wok-fried Angus beef and Indonesia for stuffed tofu pockets.

What made BPI issue a credit card that was “ultra” premium? Because there is a market that is beyond premium, like one airline has a class “beyond first.”

(Seated) Jenny Lacerna, Frannie Jacinto and Lulu Tan Gan; (standing, from left) Toni Palenzuela, STAR’s Pepper Teehankee, Owen Cammayo, the author and Joey Silvestre.

“We have been issuing premium credit cards for decades, as a large percentage of our clients are high-end clients. However, economic growth, globalization and online and mobile connectivity have made the most affluent of our high-end client base an important segment on its own. Hence, today, we introduce a credit card that is designed to meet the discerning requirements of this very important client segment,” Consing pointed out.

“It’s also indicative of how BPI in general is moving towards a deeper understanding of our customers and tailor fitting our solutions to address their unique needs,” BPI unsecured lending and card group SVP Jojo Ocampo said.

BPI partnered with Visa to create BPI’s unique version of the Visa premium credit card — the BPI Visa Signature card. “We’ve seen a rise in spending in the past few years for luxury travel, experiences, and products among our affluent clients, and with BPI Visa Signature, we are giving them a product that will further enhance their lifestyle, and provide them with the most satisfying rewards,” Consing promised.

(From left) Carlo Rufino and Mark Co with relationship managers Gina Monfort and Arnie Siongco.

Cardholders can also enjoy exclusive discounts at a wide range of luxury hotels through Visa’s Luxury Hotel Collection, and dining privileges on the Visa Epic Experiences platform.

For his part, Stuart Tomlinson, Visa country manager for the Philippines and Guam, said, “We are extremely pleased to partner with BPI to launch the new BPI Visa Signature card, as we help Filipinos create the most memorable experiences when they pay with Visa.”

BPI says that with BPI Visa Signature, your travel becomes much easier, with lower foreign exchange conversion rates compared to other banks, as well as special rates on a wide array of foreign exchange currencies. Another delightful travel reward is BPI myVoyage, where globetrotters can book flights, hotels, and car services using earned points. In addition, cardholders can have unlimited access to NAIA Terminal 3’s Pacific Club Lounge to unwind and relax along with a guest.

Event emcee Issa Litton introduces Grand Hyatt Manila chefs Saban Cavlak, Manuel Banzinger, Carson Luo and Untung Taurat.

The card also comes with a concierge available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure the cardholders’ personal and business travel needs are attended to. Clients can experience all these and more at partner establishments like City of Dreams, Kerry Sports Manila and Anantara Vacation Club, and dining partner establishments such as Mireio at Raffles Makati, Xiu Fine Cantonese Dining, Crystal Dragon, City of Dreams, The Tasting Room and Nobu F&B.

Consing recalled that the Visa premium credit card was the first credit card he ever obtained and, for almost 30 years, was the only credit card he had.

He averaged around 100 round trips a year for well over a decade, for a total of almost five million air miles so he attests to the tremendous value that the Visa premium credit card provides to global Filipinos, which the BPI Visa Signature card now does.

Yvonne Yao, Jojo Ocampo and Ivan Yao.

 “Do what I did over 30 years ago. Put it in a prominent place in your wallet. Use it whenever you can. It will add value to you in ways that are useful and oftentimes enduring — convenience, comfort, access, leverage, protection,” he urged.

Consing said that in a nutshell, “Utility and delight are what the BPI Visa Signature card should provide you.”

If you’re one of the chosen few who qualify for that very exclusive card, you can discover the power of a signature.

Assumption Day Mass on Aug. 15

To celebrate the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, Assumption Convent alumnae are invited to attend a Mass at 5 p.m. on Aug. 15 at the AC school chapel in San Lorenzo Village, Makati City. A simple merienda follows.

(You may e-mail me at [email protected].)