Organized by Hemisphere-Leo Burnett’s Abel Dolatre together with MS2 Marketing’s president Mike O’ Connor and his wife Marilyn, the event was a virtual gathering of the top industry figures who enjoyed the best whisky in the world.
Your columnist hosted the elegant affair which was held at the tastefully appointed Murano Room of the Tower Club’s Continental restaurant. Famed Chef Stefan Larsson prepared an exclusive fare for the formidable gathering.
Johnnie Walker Black Label is considered as the "Savoy" and the "Everest" of whiskies. Men the world-over including eminent whisky critic Jim Murray have acknowledged Johnnie Walker as the "first among premier whiskies."
The series of Johnnie Walker Black Label Journey of Taste Mentor Dinner reflects the whisky’s current pitch to honor accomplished individuals from diverse fields. It is a witty take on Johnnie Walker’s Striding Man icon, first drawn by Tom Browne in 1909, which focuses on the exceptional upward mobility of successful personalities.
Ed Fereira, chairman of the board of Pharma Fere, marked his birthday during the delightful evening. He was joined by Seferino Benedicto, chair/CEO Benedicto Steel Corp.; Antonio Henson, president, SM Investments; Ramon Dimacali, chair/CEO IBM Phils., Inc.; Antonio Oppen, president and managing director, Welding Industries of the Phils.; Vicente Ayllon, chair/president, Insular Life Assurance Company; Ma. Eva Kalaw, president, Rite Management and Financial Inc.; Olivia Limpe Aw; Judith Duavit Vasquez, CEO/president, Duavez Corp.; and Grace Tiongco, president, First Credit Consultants Corp.
Completing the impressive list were Jerry Isla, chairman, Joaquin Cunanan & Co.; Gregorio Navarro, audit partner, Punong Bayan and Araullo/Ernst and Young Int’l.; Juan Carlos del Rosario, chairman, Inter Global Alliances Inc.; Joel Valdes, president, Corporate Access Holdings Inc.; Cora Claudio, senior adviser to the DENR Secretary; Lourdes Jureidini, chair/president, Freilou Trade Resources Corp.; Isabelita Palanca, president, G&P Foods Inc.; Oscar de Venecia, chairman, Basic Consolidated Inc.; Michael Allan Hamlin, managing director, Hamlin-Ituralde Corp./TEAM Asia; and Caroline Carreon, president of Bayan Trade Dotcom, Inc.
Alan Charles Atkins, Brand Ambassador for Johnnie Walker Black Label, led the guests through a brief history of Johnnie Walker and the elements produce the distinct and incomparable taste of Johnnie Walker Black Label.
A superb dinner had the guests enjoying the extraordinary cuisine of the Tower Club’s Continental restaurant.
The guests then sang impromptu for the celebrator Ed Fereira with a birthday cake from the Tower Club.
After enjoying the exquisite fare, Brand Ambassador Atkins enjoined the respected figures to raise their Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky glasses to an ancient Scottish toast of good health – Slan Gee Vaar!
To Ed, may I join your friends in wishing you once again a happy birthday! And to Abel, Mike and Marilyn, cheers for another successful fete!
Belated happy birthday to Joe Rebano, Nov. 1
Advanced birthday greetings to Bong Palma Gil, executive vice president of Jayelles Holdings (Phils.), Inc., Nov. 5; PR consultant Joy Buensalido, Nov. 6; businessman Jeff Hanison and Alfred Velayo, Nov. 7; Kathleen Henares, Donald Dee, Consul General A.H. Arturo Rocha of Chile and Triple V’s Vicvic Villavicencio, Nov. 8; HMI’s Josie Padilla Rufino, Carmen Recto, Blanca Santiago and former Makati Mayor Dr. Elenita Binay, Nov. 9; and Don Francisco Ortigas, Nov. 10.
So, how was your week?