The Wow! BayanTrade Launch

If all you’ve been concerned with is politics, give that telenovela a rest and catch up to this mega-launch a full moon ago of Bayan Trade Dotcom, Inc. This supernova megaventure is backed by six of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines. Let moi do a roll call: Benrpes Holdings’ Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III is chairman, Ayala Corp.’s Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala is vice chair and add Aboitiz Equity Ventures, JG Summit Holdings, Phil. Long Distance Telephone Co. and United Laboratories.

Start by logging on to www.bayantrade.com, follow instructions and you’re on your way to cashless shopping, buy anything from "hardware to underwear", as Gabby L. says. Too bad for those with no sense of shame or budget who will just splurge! splurge! But after all, what is life without self-indulgence, n’est ce pas?

BayanTrade Dotcom will initially buy and sell only for the six member companies before opening up to other parties. For example, Meralco first bidded out its copper wire requirements with a project estimate of P13.8 million. When bidding ended, the winning bid was P12 million, a clear savings of P1.8 million for Meralco. Does that mean cheaper electricity in the near future? moi couldn’t resist asking.

And guess what? The president and ceo of the new company is a woman, the brilliant Carol Carreon.

Company hotshots who made it to the star-studded affair included the Aboitiz clan of Luis Miguel, Jon Ramon, Erramon, Alfonso and palangga Sabin, plus Miguel Romero-Salas and Stephen Paradies. Mercy Gamboa, Jacob Urduna, Antonio Luis Mangulabnan, Jaime Ysmael, Carmencita Sayo, Carla Sison, Rebecca Adriatico and Simon Jones were tres visible.

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Remember, palanggas, "When trouble blows into your life, seek shelter always in God." Smile. See you.