IT was a very trim Governor Nestor “Nesting” A. Espenilla Jr. who faced his VIP guests during his debut outing as host of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) annual reception for the banking community on January 19. The venue was the historic Fort San Antonio Abad in the BSP compound, which was still decked in a colorful display of Christmas lights and lanterns.
Welcoming his guests, Gov. Nesting cited some market reforms to be undertaken by the institution that would help fortify the economy. This year he said, the BSP, in partnership with other government agencies, industry associations and market participants will be “rolling out remaining initiatives” to develop a deeper domestic debt market.
The institution will, likewise, implement “ambitious reforms” that would foster a “deeper and more liquid foreign-exchange market that supports a flexible and market-determined exchange rate…,” helping strengthen the economy’s defenses against external shocks.
In full force that evening were executives from Banco de Oro (BDO), led by boss lady Tessie Sy Coson, seen chatting with Monetary Board Member Peter Favila, and President
Nestor Tan, whom I caught making his French leave.
As I made my way through the thick crowd, I greeted the ever-workaholic Tony Moncupa, chairman of EastWest Bank, then stopped for selfies with Gov. Nesting and a few other banking bigwigs. The governor, I noticed, seemed to be hoarse; I was told he was still recovering from some minor oral surgery.
From afar, I saw Quirino Rep. Dax Cua, chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, who seemed to be sharing some amusing secrets with a grinning Jaime
Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chairman of Bank of the Philippine Islands.
Also all smiles that evening was Hans Sicat, perhaps quite happy to have left his headaches overseeing the country’s stock exchange for ING Bank.
It was nice to bump into old friends like Chito Sobrepeña, still the president of Metrobank Foundation, a longtime supporter of young painters and which also recognizes outstanding teachers. (He appeared to be the only representative from Metrobank in this year’s affair, and understandably so.) I espied the
BSP ladies seated under a shaded corner of the fort, with the gov’s missus, Tess Espenilla, exchanging pleasantries with the rest of her team. Mrs. Apple Guinigundo, wife of Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo, was stunning in her black bejeweled jumpsuit.
Bro. Diwa himself took a seat at our table, challenging Joon Malone and I to gulp down our red wine in one go. I politely declined, and challenged him back with a down-the-hatch offer with whiskey. Also seated at our table was Wealth Manager Albert Yeo, president of BDO Private Bank, who regaled us with stories of growing up in Zamboanga.
Meanwhile, the luminous Mrs. Elma Tetangco gave us a knowing look, as her husband, the rockstar and erstwhile Governor Say Tetangco, was deep in talk with his former BSP colleagues. Perhaps, he was updating them on the shows he’s been Netflixing lately. Dynasty?
As my other media colleagues can attest, so many secrets were spilled that night. Unfortunately, most of them aren’t fit to see print…yet.
Image credits: BSP