Europe-PH News

And here is the deal. There will be several photos in this column with the names and designations of the individuals there intentionally omitted.

If you guys can name any of these individuals in the photos, and tell me a short story or anecdote about them, you will get a prize, and I will be more than happy to have them published here in my column next week. Let us see what you guys can come up. My e-mail is at the bottom of this column

Now, I know that a hug and a kiss from me will not work as prize for sending me an e-mail, especially if you are of the male species. So, I will discuss this matter with the bosses here in the BusinessMirror and, hopefully, we can come up with something.

On that note, ladies and gentlemen, let me bring back the retro diary, which was absent from this space since last year.

Hope you will enjoy reading.

5:30 p.m.: After letting a downpour pass, I left the BusinessMirror office and started walking to the Intercon. Now, I know that it is a good one-and-a-half-kilometer walk, but what are my options during rush hour? The buses and jeeps would be packed, and taking a taxi would be a bit expensive for my pocket.

5:38 p.m.: I reached the Makati elevated walkway, which, by all indications from the construction I just saw, was being extended all the way to the parking area at the back of Convergys on de la Costa Avenue. With all the construction happening, it is really nice to know that inside the Makati City Central Business District, there is an effort to provide convenience to the people who work there.

5:50 p.m.: Reaching the entrance of Landmark, two things came to my mind.

First, that elevated walkway is the perfect place to go girl-watching. Maybe, if a headcount is to be done, Makati would win hands down with having the most number of lovely ladies working in its offices.

The second thing on my mind was that the Landmark security personnel are dressed so goofily that I now believe they are there to also take away the stress of people who are going home after a long day at the office.

6:00 p.m.: Reached the Intercon and freshened up a bit. I saw the EU’s very hardworking public affairs officer Thelma Gecolea leaving.

I asked her why she was already leaving, and Thelma told me that she had a very long day. It was very obvious from how she looked. She told me that her boss, EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux, was already at the Bahia Room.

That was my cue to get my butt upstairs, unless I wanted to miss anything.

6:10 p.m.: The ever-energetic and helpful Jenny Esmao of the ECCP told me to register and grab a piece of paper on the table for the raffle. Nah, I passed on the raffle. EU-Philippines Business Network (EPBN) head Dietmar Dan Braun warmly greeted me.

6:12 p.m.: Saw La Camara Executive Director Barbara Apraiz de Encio. She always has that welcoming smile.

Barbara invited me to next month’s Madrid Fusion Manila, where she said there would be a breakfast with a famous chef. I told her that it would be on my calendar.

6:20 p.m.: Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Lilia de Lima arrived, and immediately got mobbed by men in suites. Now, that is what I call star power.

6:21 p.m.: With all the attention de Lima was getting, I saw a very familiar face right in front of me. It was the La Camara’s very lovely administration officer Mylyn Garcia. She was a sight for sore eyes.

Mylyn told me that she is back in school taking political science in Ateneo de Manila University.

Here is the funny part. Mylyn graduated with honors last year from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde with a degree in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs. That is jumping over the fence.

6:25 p.m.: Looked outside and had a vantage view of the monstrous traffic on Edsa. Does economic growth equate to traffic jams? Or maybe there is just not enough urban planning that is being done?

6:27 p.m.: With my tummy grumbling, I went over to the other side of the room to grab some food. I bumped into Asian Tigers Lane Moving & Storage Vice President Brian Lane. We had a great discussion on local politics.

He said there seems to be a new breed of politicians that are emerging in the country, which gives the Philippines hope for the future. Lane has been in the country for 25 years and described politicians, in a more polite term, I guess, of having not looked after the interest of the country.

He told me the Philippines is very lucky to still be getting a lot of foreign direct investments (FDI) despite the politicians we have.

6:35 p.m.: Program started with ECCP President Michael Raeuber greeting everyone in the crowd, including former Foreign Secretary Delia Albert and de Lima. He thanked everyone in the audience for making the EPBN a reality.

Raeuber said the Philippines is now in a sweet spot after attracting $6.20 billion in FDI last year. He said the goal was for the Philippines to reach $10 billion in investments annually.

6:40 p.m.: Then, it was Ambassador Ledoux’s turn. He said that EU is the largest foreign investor in the Philippines, and is now looming as the country’s major trade partner. He added that they have also doubled their development assistance to the country.

Ambassador Ledoux said that the EU is a partner that counts and must be treated fairly. They are now putting together a position paper that will be presented to the Department of Trade and Industry containing all issues that must be addressed between the two sides.

6:55 p.m.: I had a great conversation with de Lima. I started by asking her again if she has changed her mind about running for the country’s presidency next year. She again told me that it would be bad for her health.

By then, she added her take on politics here in the country. She said that it is now all about popularity and money.

De Lima told me she missed the days when the country was being run by bright minds, but then added that Filipinos are now slowly learning.

The subject then turned into the proposed “sunset clause” on incentives to potential investors. She said that if Congress passes it, it would be like throwing those companies to the wolves.

7:15 p.m.: Also had a good talk with Migz Anzures, who was the program host for the evening. ECCP Events Manager Jasmin Runez, who still looked awesome despite her very tiring schedule, said he was the one who did all the voiceovers for all of the chamber’s events.

We talked about the glory days of local radio. When I say glory days, that would definitely include the old 99.5 RT and 103.5 K-Lite. Migz worked in those two radio stations during some of their reincarnations.

Migz will soon be working with 97.9 Home Radio. Oh, I was also glad to hear from Migz that former 99.5 RT Station Manager Frederick Aracama is back in town. I would love to meet that big guy again.

7:30 p.m.: I had a nice chat again with the EPBN staff, led by its senior advocacy officer and Brit national Lauren Skarkou, who looked lovely that evening. They have a lot of work on their hands this year.

7:40 p.m.: I again looked outside, and there was the Edsa traffic in all its glory. I said to myself that I might as well go home late that evening.

8:00 p.m.: Raffle time. And surprise, surprise. Former ECCP President and Puerto Galera’s No. 1 cheerleader Hubert d’Aboville won an overnight stay at the Intercon.

After the raffle, everyone had the option of having more food, more wine and drinks, more networking, or go home.

Even as I am still not comfortable attending social functions, I decided to stay on for a few more minutes. After all, there were a lot of interesting people present to keep the evening lively. I could learn a lot just by listening to them.

Source: Business Mirror