Qualibet pays tribute to Crusaders

At the beginning of the night, there were only 10 Crusaders. By night’s end, Qualibet had all its guests sharing in its CEO and founder Pinky Pe Tobiano’s vision of a “safer, better Philippines.” Indeed, what could be better than a room full of Crusaders?

Qualibet recently paid tribute to its 10 Crusaders in a
capacity-filled event at The Loft at Manansala, Rockwell Center, Makati City. The Crusaders are: Jose G. Ledesma, president and CEO, St. Luke’s Medical Center; Pinky T. Yee, marketing director, Goldilocks; House Speaker Jose de Venecia; Sen. Loren B. Legarda; Ambassador Ernesto M. Maceda; Ambassador Jose Eduardo B. Antonio; Sara Soliven-de Guzman, EVP, O.B. Montessori; Atty. Ernest P. Maceda, law dean, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila; Christine Bersola-Babao, parenting advocate; and Gina Vera Perez-de Venecia, founder, Ina Foundation.

Cancer survivor and chemist Tobiano, who established Qualibet, the world-class food, water, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and veterinary testing facility in July 2006, lauded the 10 Crusaders for taking up the cudgels of her advocacy.

“I am thankful that I am not alone in this advocacy of mine,” said Tobiano, sometimes described as the “Ralph Nader of the Philippines,” in reference to the great American consumer advocate.

“All I’m fighting for is consumer empowerment, for the Filipino consumer to be aware of the quality of water we use, the generic medicines that are being sold, educating the consumers about the nutritional facts of the food out in the market, and campaigning against transfat.”

Speaker De Venecia praised Tobiano for her advocacy: “Pinky is truly one of the great living Filipinas today. She is fighting for something that has a lasting impact on us. She is the only one who came up with this crusade. As her adoptive father, I am very proud of her.”

The event was hosted by Philippine STAR columnist Johnny Litton, with special guests the Hotlegs, the Company, and Christian Bautista. - Lester Gopela Hällig