ANVIL GRACES "EDJA" BOOK LAUNCHING

Two key stalwarts from the Association of Young Filipino-Chinese Entrepreneurs (Anvil Business Club), namely, Honorary Chairman Wilson Lee Flores (2004-2007 Anvil President; 12-time CMMA award-winning Philippine Star columnist; college professor and real estate/bakery mogul) and Atty. Oscar Franklin Barcelona Tan (2014 TOYM Honoree for Law; Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist; law professor; Harvard Law School alumnus) represented the organization, as they were invited to an intimate book launching of former Senate President Edgardo Angara's biography, "“Edgardo J. Angara: In the Grand Manner,” written by University of the Philippines (UP) professor and prize-winning author Dr. Jose "Butch" Dalisay Jr. and published by the University of the Philippines Press, which was held at the Manila Polo Club.
The biography – the second one since the late Nick Joaquin authored "Ed Angara: Seer of Sea and Sierra" in 2006 – tracks Angara’s ascent to public leadership from his boyhood in Baler, Aurora, to the pinnacle of his career in public service as Constitutional Convention delegate, UP president, senator and Senate President, agriculture secretary and Executive Secretary.
Right after the modest event, Atty. Oscar Franklin Tan met up with yours truly and our Club's Vice-President for Programs, Patrick Cua (Executive Director of A.C. Nielsen Philippines) and munificently hosted a private "appreciation" dinner at the ritzy Blackbird Makati, the newest, aviation-themed restaurant by Chef Colin Mackay and named after the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft. The ambiance is inspired by an Airport Terminal and its Art Deco building in the heart of Makati City. Despite the restaurant's fully-booked calendar, Atty. Oscar was able to pull some strings and get us into the exclusive 2nd floor dining area, usually reserved for private functions.
Over exquisite servings of crab cakes, prawn scotch eggs, and grilled octopus as appetizers, and a generous heaping of succulent US prime rib eye and seafood platter (to share), we took the opportunity to talk about business opportunities abroad, professional development beyond Philippine shores, the latest stories that rocked recent headlines, and of course, exciting plans for Anvil in the coming months. As Atty. Oscar is set to conquer the world of corporate finance with his new consulting venture headquartered in Singapore, the dinner serves as a quaint reminder of how great friendships are planted in uncommon moments and nurtured in the dew of the simple, yet pleasant things that life offers.