Just like the booze that night, the adrenaline was overflowing at the bash which Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and MasterCard threw to mark the 20th anniversary of their partnership.
Held at the swanky Long Bar of Raffles Makati, the event recalled milestones in the Philippine credit-card industry, dahlings. Check this out: the first EMV (Europay, MasterCard and Visa)-compliant smart chip card, BPI Gold MasterCard; the first co-branding product, Petron-BPI MasterCard; and the BPI Skymiles MasterCard, the card for jet-setters.
Leading the anniversary bash were BPI president and CEO Bong Consing; BPI Family Savings Bank president TG Limcaoco; BPI SVP Ginbee Go; and MasterCard country head Poch Villa-Real.
“In the past two decades,” said Ginbee Go, “our combined strengths have produced some of the most relevant payment products and services for our common customers. I especially thank MasterCard for providing us access to the world’s best payment technologies and products because of its continuous investments in making transactions more convenient, more secure, and definitely better than the traditional way of paying by cash.”
Villa-Real agreed: “We would not be where we are in this market as MasterCard without great partners like BPI. We are looking forward to the next 20 years, making the relationship stronger and better, and on our part, helping our partners transition to the digital payments system.”
BPI and MasterCard also honored Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc., Rustan’s Supercenters Inc., S&R Membership Shopping, The Landmark Corp., Fisher Mall, Petron Corp. and Delta Air Lines, all of which were instrumental in the success of their partnership.
Gracing the event were BPI’s Nabbie Alejo, Annie del Mundo, Aileen Lamasuta, Angie Florentino, Bong Lualhati; MasterCard’s Judith Dayrit, Ailea Zialcita, Rochelle Mayuga; Petron’s Dodie Estrella, Jamie Tan, Makee Columbres and Chezka Garcia; Delta’s Grace Precilla, Bong Barretto and Gretchen Dim; and Rustan’s Len Leonardo.
Azure Beach Club opening
Azure Beach Club, Crimson’s latest flagship restaurant and bar, was packed with the hottest personalities from Cebu and Manille. Tim Yap, no less, hosted the event, palangga.
“The development and completion of Azure is a milestone for us,” said general manager James Montenegro. “As we continue to set a new benchmark in dining and events, this place will provide Cebu a venue for its food and beverage and entertainment scene, adding an exciting variety to the region’s attraction and positively impact the city’s image.”
Azure Beach Club features an Asian Grill restaurant with day and night menus; a beach lounge area for sun worshippers; and a rock bar by the cliff for a perfect sundown cocktail and night cap.
With international chef Godfrey Laforteza at the helm of the kitchen, Azure is sure to make a mark in fresh, flavorful and delightful food.
Served during the launch was a trio of yummy appetizers—citron-cured salmon carpaccio, tuna tataki and grilled chicken with crispy wanton salad.
For the main course, served was a jaw-dropping set of grilled specialties from king prawns to red fish fillet, lamb, Angus beef and lobster, served with eight sauces.
And for the finale, there was the scrumptious Szechuan pepper crème brûlée with compressed purple yam and banana black sesame ice cream. Yummy!
Rock Bar is perched at the tip of the beachside cliff; it offers unhindered views of the sky above and the ocean below. It also has a good selection of liquor and spirits.
Fierce Angel and Mark Doyle shared their brand of hot music. Mark created Hed Kandi and Fierce Angel, popular brands in the house music scene in the UK, palangga.
of payments and unsecured lending group Ginbee Go, Fisher Mall’s
Ray Del Rosario, BPI’s Kay Dela Paz
Azure Beach Club is at the Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan. It is open daily, 10 a.m.-2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 12 midnight for the rest of the week.
Biggest bazaar south of Manila
There’s still time, dahlings, to rush over to the St. James the Great Christmas Bazaar, the biggest bazaar in Ayala Alabang Village. With more than 500 concessionaires, the bazaar runs until today, Nov. 30.
It offers a wide selection of gift items and solid buys. Its proceeds go to parish charities.
The charity bazaar organizers are led by the mother-daughter team of Mimi and Nikki Valerio. Committee members are Manny Gonzales, president of St. James Foundation; Edza Gonzales; Titang Montinola; Lulu Africa; and Msgr. Allen Aganon, parish priest.
“We organize and run the bazaar as our apostolate for St. James the Great Parish,” said Mimi Valerio.
All credit cards will be accepted.
Free shuttle service is provided from the parking lot to the bazaar.