Some of the country’s most powerful and brilliant businessmen gathered for a dinner hosted by audit, tax and accounting advisory firm Manabat Sanagustin & Co. (MS&Co.) in honor of Bankers Association of the Philippines’ (BAP) incoming president, the smart and très charmant Lorenzo Tan, and BAP’s outgoing president, the workaholic and well-respected Alberto Villarosa.

 

MS&Co. is a member of the Klynveld, Peat, Marwick and Goerdeler (KPMG) network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative, a Swiss entity.

 

Tan, also the president and CEO of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) since 2007, is responsible for turning it into one of the largest private domestic commercial banks in the country. He works hard and plays hard on his days off by chilling out in his snazzy sports cars.

 

Villarosa, president and CEO of Security Bank since 2004, was named one of Asia’s best CEOs by Corporate Governance Asia. In 2012, The Banker, a publication of the Financial Times of London, gave Security Bank the Bank of the Year Award for the Philippines.

 

The moment the event’s venue, Tin Hau restaurant in Mandarin Oriental Manila, filled up, guests engaged in bank-talk, including the economy, the stock market and a dash of international gossip, natch!

 

Gracing the affair, dahlings, were MS&Co. chair and CEO Roberto G. Manabat; vice chair for tax and COO Emmanuel P. Bonoan; head of audit Sharon G. Dayoan; and partner for audit-financial services Carmel Lynne Balde.

 

Among the guests were Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) chair of corporate governance Jose Trinidad Pardo; PSE president and CEO Hans Sicat; Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas deputy governor, supervision and examination sector Nestor Espenilla Jr.; SEC Chair Teresita Herbosa; SEC Commissioner Juanita Cueto; Bureau of the Treasury deputy treasurer, operations subsector Eduardo Mendiola; and Presidential Commission on Good Government chair Andres Bautista; plus others of similar stature, palanggas.

 

Moi was told that the “BAP is a nonprofit organization of commercial banks which further their interest and enhance their values in trade, commerce, industry, agriculture and the public.” It was organized in 1949 and duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 1964.

 

For more info about KPMG Philippines, log on to www.kmpg.com.ph.

 

Behind the doors of Chateau 1771

 

The 25th anniversary celebration of Chateau 1771 restaurant at Ayala Museum wasn’t just overflowing with food and wine, dahlings; it also marked the launch of the book, “Behind the Doors of Chateau 1771.”

 

The book chronicles the everyday challenges of running a restaurant and the inspiration behind each of the 1771 Group’s brands, as well as the lessons that its president and CEO Ricky Gutierrez and executive chef and COO Vicky Rose Pacheco have racked up these past 25 years.

 

Emceed by gorgeous model-host Karen Pamintuan, the event had Ricky and Vicky personally greeting their guests.

 

Après, everyone couldn’t wait to dig into 1771’s renowned menu, like the all-time favorite Roast Angus Rib Eye; the superb Roast Leg of Lamb; Vanilla Chicken; Rated Galunggong Bruschetta; Lengua and Mushroom Adobo Vol-Au-Vent, and Coffee Pie, washed down with a variety of wines, dahlings.

 

“What can our diners and loyal customers look forward to in the next 25 years? Definitely not just creative dishes and attentive service, but a restaurant brimming with experience, memories and delightful surprises borne out of genuine passion,” said Ricky.

 

The book also features recipes for readers to replicate chef Vicky’s timeless “No Borders Cuisine” in their own kitchens.

 

Exclusively available at all 1771 Group of Restaurants’ outlets—Chateau 1771, Sentro 1771, Café 1771, WB 1771, Sidebar, and 1771 El Pueblo—the book sums up Ricky’s passion for food and life, and Vicky’s commitment to culinary excellence.

 

It can also serve as inspiration for those wishing to own a restaurant one day, palanggas.

 

Must-go for art collectors

 

Works by Fernando Amorsolo, Vicente Manansala, Carlos “Botong” Francisco, Ang Kiukok, Lee Aguinaldo, Roberto Chabet, BenCab, Ronald Ventura, among other major figures in the visual arts, comprise the spectacular Midyear Auction by Leon Gallery to be held on June 29, 11 a.m., at the AIM Conference Center on Benavidez St., Makati City.

 

Leon Gallery is primarily known as the leading gallery specializing in historically important and museum-quality Philippine art. Its Midyear Auction is definitely a must-go for art collectors.

 

Two works by National Artist Amorsolo top-bill the lots up for bid. The first work, an oil on canvas from 1920 titled “Naguilian Trail,” has a splendidly executed landscape scene, a forested patch overlooking an expansive mountain vista in Baguio. The other piece, another oil on canvas dubbed “Sabungeros,” is dated 1935.

 

Taking prominence in this auction is the vaunted Nikki Coseteng collection consisting of, in part, pieces by Ang Kiukok (“Seated Figure,” tempera on paper, 1978); Romulo Olazo (“Diaphanous,” oil on canvas, 1975) and H.R. Ocampo (“Abstract Composition I” and “II,” both from 1974).

 

“Facing the Mirror” a notable work from Ventura, landed on the front pages of the 2012 issue of the prestigious Flash Art Magazine.

 

Highlighting the auction is “Second Station of the Cross, Jesus Accepts the Cross” by Francisco from 1960—part of a series commissioned by the Salesians for the Don Bosco Chapel that has been away from public view for decades.

 

Be there, palanggas, even just to see the works of the masters.

 

Auction catalog can be accessed at www.leon-gallery.com.

 

Leon Gallery is at G/F Corinthian Plaza, 121 Paseo de Roxas, Legaspi Village, Makati City. Call 8467416.