Top local auditing firm KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co. (KPMG RGM & Co.) takes the lead in boosting close economic ties with Sweden as it recently hosted a knowledge-sharing luncheon with Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Harald Fries at the Tower Club in Makati City.
The Swedish ambassador acknowledged KPMG RGM & Co.’s efforts in bringing more Swedish power players to the country while discussing developments in the local and global economies, which impact the Philippine consumer markets sector.
KPMG RGM & Co. executives present were vice chairman and chief operating officer Emmanuel P. Bonoan, vice chairman and head of advisory Henry D. Antonio, chief finance officer Pacifico M. Castañeda, tax principal Maria Carmela M. Peralta and advisory partner Michael H. Guarin.
All interested in our future (roll call time, palangga) were hotshot members of the Swedish business community in the country, including Ericsson Telecommunications, Inc. chief executive officer (CEO) Sean Gowran; Retail Software Associates Corp. CEO Bo Lundqvist; Auto-Delta Volvo Bus president Robbie Torres; Swedish Embassy senior trade promotion officer Giselle Yap; Atlas Copco business line manager Raymond Buenaventura; Ikano Philippines Inc. marketing manager Jasmin Cruz; Electrolux Philippines country marketing manager Andrea Soto-Pionilla; and Swedish Match Philippines sales area manager for Asia Pacific Martin Ejecklint.
Also present were Optel Ltd. managing director Don Felbaum and Ayannah CEO Mikko Perez, who shared insights on digital commerce and online payment services.
KPMG RGM & Co. is the Philippine member firm of KPMG International.
Visit www.kpmg.com.ph.
Four hands wine dinner
The Peninsula Manila’s Old Manila chef de cuisine Bertrand Charles and chef William Mahi of 210° Kitchen + Drinkery joined forces to create an unforgettable culinary experience for just one night at The Peninsula’s Old Manila.
Aptly named FOURtaste: A Four Hands Wine Dinner, it brought together the classic universe of chef Bertrand and the Asian-accented cuisine of chef William, two young chefs whose culinary philosophies are grounded in French cuisine but whose flavors and techniques remain distinct.
The five-course dinner was complemented by AOC Chinon Le Domaine Bernard Audry Cabernet Franc and other fine wines.
The divine four hands wine dinner started with Brittany clams paired with wild gambas, Chardonnay jelly and tarragon (chef Bertrand); followed by a serving of pearl oysters with hijiki seaweed, six-month ceps in vinegar and caviar (chef William); white asparagus, cooked meuniere, spaghetti, morels and whisky (chef Bertrand); and an Asian-inflected fish course of Atlantic cod with consommé, cuttlefish, sea snail, piquillo, calamansi and Brussels sprouts was next (chef William).
The main course of pigeon de vendée with roasted breast, confit leg cromesqui and stuffed braised cabbage was a collaborative effort between the two chefs.
Dessert was by The Peninsula Manila’s executive pastry chef Xavier Castello’s Bailey’s cremeux with feuillantine praline.
The evening coincided with conferment of the red sash of Les Disciples d’Escoffier on both chefs, an honor bestowed on exemplary culinary talents who espouse the development of to-die-for French cuisine overseas.
Part of the proceeds raised from the four hands Escoffier Epicurean Dinner benefited the lone Philippine delegate to the Young Talent Escoffier Competition 2017 and Training Kitchen for Le Club Disciples Escoffier (Junior Chefs).
Milestone birthday
Actor-model and businessman Tony Boy de la Rea celebrated an important milestone last Saturday night at Tosca Restaurant, Dusit Thani Hotel Manila in Makati City.
Among his distinguished well wishers were former Mutya ng Pilipinas Jane Umali, actor Ernie Garcia, Dusit Thani event manager Pia Casequin; Tamaraw toastmasters club former president Remy Kua, Valera Awards organizer Oskar Atendido, actor Lance Raymundo with brother Rannie, film director Elwood Perez, Patty Trofeo with her mom Nita, his cousins Cecile de la Rea and Philippine Airlines assistant vice president Lynn Dominado, former Miss World 1st Runner-Up Evangeline Pascual, actress Althea Vega, reception officer for the party Mila Santos, Karen Salutan, Lara Wells, former Miss Republic of the Philippines Joy Conde, his sisters Nette de la Rea and Vicki Eurton who jetted all the way from California just to attend the event, his Upsilon fraternity brother Ed Trinidad with wife Reby, fashion designer Tony Cajucom, former Hyatt model Melba Arribas, Archie Crane of DZRJ FM, Philippine Jaycees’ Erick San Juan, former Marinduque governor Leandro Palma with his two dashing sons, Bayanihan’s Ruby Bentez, Juan Carlos Hubilla and Chary Lagdameo, former Binibining Pilipinas Universe Anna Lorraine Kier Tasbora, actor Frannie Zamora, Saulog Transit’s Boy and Kathy Saulog, his cousins and over a hundred VIPs.
The party giveaway was Don Moen’s “God with Us” CD. The celebrator wore Ermenegildo Zegna and his hair was done by Henri Calayag.
Song numbers were provided by Rannie and Lance, Vicki Eurton, Ernie and Frannie.
Lights and sound were by Reginald Tan, the fondant cake was by Bethany Dream Cakes, and photo-video services by Paul Tavera.
The food was an international buffet with five cholesterolific lechon and drinks flowed until way past midnight. It was truly an unforgettable grand bash with all night dancing.