Junior tycoons show Arroyo clout

This column by the Philippine Daily Inquirer today, July 8, 2005 reflects the character of Anvil Business Club (ABC)---democratically apolitical in public, courteous to duly constituted authorities, business-like, not frivolous, elegant, classy, prestigious...The column noted that there were no useless long-winded speeches and no cultural shows, the discussions at the Anvil dinner reception were strictly on high-level economic issues---not on the political circus now plaguing Philippine society...Congrats to Anvil Business Club (ABC) officers and to all members! Cocktales by Victor Agustin
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo found herself in celestial kingdom Tuesday night, dining with sons and daughters of Chinese-Filipino tycoons who kept their pro-Panfilo Lacson, pro-Joseph Estrada, pro-Fernando Poe sentiments in check to pay their respects to the country's beleaguered Chief Executive.
The occasion was the induction of the officers of the Anvil Club, the junior version of the Binondo-based Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, led by textile scion George Siy and columnist Wilson Lee Flores, Ms Arroyo's student in the Ateneo de Manila University.
Despite the short notice, the Anvil Club was able to round up a respectable number of guests, including Singapore Ambassador Lim Kheng Hua, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, Reps. Jesli Lapus and Miles Roces, Presidential Adviser Joey Concepcion (a La Sallite who was squirming in his seat over the anti-Arroyo La Salle ads), Ambassador Joey Antonio and Harvard-bound Joel Cadiz, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
The President herself hardly gave any hint of personal turmoil as she worked the audience, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries. Dinner itself was mercifully quick and devoid of speeches and cultural shows.
The President arrived at 7 p.m., and by 8 p.m. she was gone. According to after-dinner accounts, economics, not the political circus, dominated the presidential table talk.
Although the President had left, the Anvil Club members lingered on for another hour, prompting insurance tycoon Peter Coyiuto, who first stepped inside the Palace during the tumultuous 1980s, to remark how relaxed the atmosphere was compared with the Ferdinand Marcos years.
We will stop here, before we stray into politics, hand wringing and self-flagellation.