La Camara marks 110th anniversary

MANILA, Philippines - 110 years is a grand old age for anybody, and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, more popularly known as La Camara, is not one to overlook such a milestone as it marks the auspicious occasion with a cocktail reception and awards gala dinner on March 19 at the Renaissance Makati Hotel.

The oldest chamber of commerce in the Philippines and possibly in Southeast Asia, La Camara has had a long, colorful and distinguished history and it wants to pay honor to that past and the 23 presidents who served the organization. 

Thus, during the dinner, medals of recognition will be awarded to seven surviving past presidents, and a special award will be bestowed on a Spanish company and individual based in the country for their role in the globalization of Spanish business.

Contenders for the Premio Andres de Urdaneta, the company award, are BP Solar, Barcino Corp., ATR-Torres Wines and Spirits, Tabacalera, Espa-Fil Import and Export Corp., Fuego Hotels, Gaudi/Global Gourmet, Terry Selection, Mapfre Insular Insurance Corp., Mondial Tours and Travel, Oriental Merchants Resources, and Indra Soluziona. 

Nominated for the Premio Juan Luna, the individual award, are Sen. Eduardo Angara, Justo Ortiz, Ambassador Jon Rocha, and Pablo Garcia Morera.

Among the evening’s highlights is a video presentation of La Camara’s history, which will feature interviews with some of its past presidents as they share insights on their respective tenures. 

Since its early days, La Camara has included some of the country’s premier industrialists as its members and officers, such as Enrique Zobel, Andres Soriano, Joaquin Elizalde, Tirso Lizarraga, and the Picornells.

La Camara has proven to be among the most resilient and enduring of the country’s many foreign business promotion institutions, surviving recessions, wars, political strife and many other challenges. 

Proud of its noble tradition, La Camara has hewed through the years to its role as a dynamic promotional institution for better trade development and access between Mother Spain and the Philippines.

Today, relations have never been better between the two countries. With major names in the Spanish community in its fold, and a growing membership, La Camara is a driving force that promotes the commercial interests of the Spanish trade community and the economic development of the Philippines as well.

The chamber’s over 100 members and their guests will attend this significant event, made even more special by the official endorsement and support of the Spanish Embassy in Manila, plus the sponsorship of Amoroso Brandy, HSBC Premier, Fuego Hotels, Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Aboitiz Group, Indra Soluziona, Mapfre Insular, ZMG Executive Search, and Tagaytay Highlands. 

Tickets to the awards dinner are available at the secretariat (886-7643). A live band will provide dance music after the dinner, followed by a raffle of valuable prizes, including a Palawan holiday package for two, courtesy of Budget Travel and Tours.