ANVIL CELBEBRATES CHINESE NEW YEAR IN CELESTIAL FASHION

The Chinese culture belongs not only to the Chinese but to the whole world.
- Jinato Hu

The Anvil Business Club recently held its annual Spring Festival Celebration or traditionally called Chinese New Year Celebration in Chinese classic theater like setting at the Quezon City Sports Club last February 20, 2016.

The sports club ground was transformed into the historical imperial garden reminiscent of the entertainment grounds of the Chinese emperors in ancient history. The path way to the site was lined up with radiant pink lotus decoration, greeting each guest with symbols of tranquility and long life. The ceiling was decorated with red drapes accompanied by red lanterns enveloping the surroundings with artistic flair. 

At the center of the function room is a rectangular glass tank full of mandarin orange, symbolizing abundance and wealth.  Members and guests were tasked to guess the number of oranges in the tank.

Special thanks to member Sheryl Yu for the creative setup. At the end of the table each guest was treated with free Chinese calligraphy souvenir from talented Anvil member, Dewey Tan.

The highlight of the festive night was the classic Chinese theater mixed play performed by the members of Anvil Business Club. The cast was composed of Anvil members each dressed in colorful classic Chinese costume.

The Chinese drama play was about the origin of the Chinese valentine's day also called the 七夕festival. It happens on the 7th day of the 7th month of the chinese lunar calendar.

Its a love story between 牛郎, a cow herder, and 织女, goddess from heaven.

"织女 the weaver girl is said to be in charge of weaving clouds in the heavens. She has always heard of true love on earth and has been fascinated on how mortal beings kung live and die for it. One day she decided to go to earth along with other fairies. While she was on earth, she met 牛郎 a simple cow herder. They fell in love with each other and got married, and soon had two kids. A boy and a girl!

Meanwhile, when her mom, the queen mother of the heavens found out 织女 married a mortal being, she was furious! She ordered the heavenly guards to bring back 织女 for questioning and punishment.

The couple were then separated from each other. They cried upon each other's names day and night. Taking pity on them, the heavenly officials asked queen mother to have mercy on them. Thus queen mother allowed them to meet once a year, which happens on the 七夕festival. Thousands of magpies flew to form a bridge so that the couple may reunite with each other."

This is a legend many Chinese family knows.

After the spectacular performance, the Chinese teachers from the Confucian Institute performed Chinese opera song using Guqin (古琴), a seven string zither without bridges. Guqin is the most classical Chinese instrument with over 3,000 years of history.

Thanks to the creativity and hard work of the CNY committee headed by Chairperson Winny Yu and under the leadership of Director Richmond Co, the momentous celebration belongs to the chronicles of Anvil history.

The Anvil Business Club is an organization of dynamic entrepreneurs and professionals committed to promoting positive values and influencing excellence in their respective fields, for the economic and social progress of the country. For membership inquiries, please contact the anvil secretariat at secretariat @ anvil.org.ph and tel no. 726-7029.

ANVIL ENGAGES WITH THE REAL ESTATE GURUS

Common questions that come to mind from an investor would be:

“ Should I invest in properties in the Philippines?"
“If yes, where should I invest?"
“ What’s the economic outlook in store for real estate development in the Philippines?"

These questions were at the heart of discussion in Anvil Business Club’s first exchange forum in 2016. Anvil invited two of the most prominent real estate gurus: David Leechiu and Karima Palafox to share their insights and studies to the club’s young and passionate members.

Mr. David Leechiu, currently CEO and founder of Leechiu Property Consultants, Inc., is regarded as one of the country’s top if not the top real estate and property consultant. David admitted he was a high school drop out of Xavier School. He would then graduate from University of Asia and Pacific wherein his direction in life would find a new twist: focusing on his career and learning about real estate. After a few stints with real estate consultancy firms, he would then establish his own, Leechiu and Associates. Later on he would forge a partnership with one of the leading property consultants in the world, Jones Lang LaSalle giving birth to Jones Lang LaSalle Leechiu and Associates. David would become the regional country manager of Jones Lang LaSalle Leechiu for seven years. During his term, he consummated more than 50 billion pesos worth of real estate transactions.

Mr. David Leechiu captivated the audience with his comprehensive and detailed powerpoint presentation outlining the challenges and reasons for optimism in the Philippines’ real estate growth potential. He pinpointed to the expected completion of major infrastructure projects like NLEX-SLEX connector road, LRT 1 extension to Cavite, MCX Daang hari connection to SLEX to name a few which will spur economic growth in areas related to all these infrastructure development. Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry has surged for the past 10 years to more than P20 billion in revenues. David highlighted several high growth areas in the country with Fort Bonifacio and Makati as still the top destinations for BPO locators. Despite of the huge growth potential in the real estate sector in the Philippines, he is quoted as saying, “We are cautiously optimistic with the real estate growth in the Philippines.” due to the several risk factors and challenges posed by economic uncertainties in the world market.

The second guest speaker, Ms. Karima Palafox is a Senior Urban Planner and the Managing Partner at Palafox Associates, one of the top architecture, planning, design and real estate consultancy firms in Asia. Karima earned her Master’s degree in Industrial Economics at the University of Asia and the Pacific and her Master of Science degree in Urban Planning with specialization in Urban Design at Oxford Brookes University. She is a registered urban planner in the United Kingdom and in the Philippines. In October 2014 , the Urban Land Institute honored her as one of the 40 Under 40, which represents the best young real estate and land use professionals around the world.

Ms. Karima engaged the crowd with her illuminating presentation of urban planning as the key to providing a positive living environment for people. As quoted by Fred Kent, Project for Public Spaces, “If you plan cities for cars and traffic, you get cars and traffic. If you plan for people and places, you get people and places.” She discussed about her current projects in many areas in the Philippines including Palawan and Zamboanga, which are all growth potential areas for real estate and tourism development. She presented examples of correct urban design in specific cities in Netherlands, France and Italy wherein basic needs of life like greenery, clean air and pedestrian paths are standard requirements for a township development.
The first Anvil Exchange Forum is the first part of a series of theme inspired forums introduced this year. Anvil Business Club Inc. commends the Program Committee under the leadership of VP Patrick Cua and Director Jayson Sze for staging a jam packed event. The club thanks the core team, headed by Chairperson Christine ‘Dara’ Ko, and her hardworking colleagues: Bettina Reyes, Eckhart Ang, Kevin Tai and Dir Lorina Tan for organizing the successful forum.

The Anvil Business Club is an organization of dynamic entrepreneurs and professionals committed to promoting positive values and influencing excellence in their respective fields, for the economic and social progress of the country. For membership inquiries, please contact the anvil secretariat at secretariat@anvil.org.ph and tel no. 726-7029.

ANVIL'S FIRST TURNOVER CEREMONIES

Master of Ceremonies for the evening, Anvil Member
Kevin Ong Tai and Melanie Gale Sy

What do you call that precise moment when th last color of the night is gradually being replaced by the light  of the new dawn? That is exactly what the Anvil Business Club had last January 27,2016 when the outgoing officers, like master conductors of an opera, handed over their batons to the new set of officers who will take the helm of this Club and take it still to the pinnacle of heights it has not yet traversed but with the road already paved by their predecessors.

Chairman Emeritus George Siy delivering his
Welcome Address

 Kevin Ong Tai and Melanie Gale Sy who were resplendent their sartorial elegance, acted as master of ceremonies. 
Chairman George Siy delivered his Welcome Address to the audience consisting of no less than ten of its sixteen past Presidents as well as 147 members and guests who stand as living testaments to this historic occasion.

Chairman Peter Mangasing delivers his Turn Over message

Outgoing Chairman Peter Mangasing delivered his Turnover message expressing his appreciation to all the Anvil Membership who have been actively participating in the Club’s activities and express his continued support by being an active adviser to the incoming Board. He will be succeeded by Mr. Eduardo Cobankiat.

Thereafter, outgoing President Reginald Yu delivered his message which was essentially a glance in retrospect  at the events and activities undertaken by the Club during his term and after acknowledging the personalities who made his leadership sterling, he handed over to his successor, Mr. Marcelo Co, the Anvil Dragon Trophy, a miniature statue of a golden dragon with & wings of Pegasus which is only but fitting that it be made the symbol of leadership and authority in view of its image of being fierce and readiness to soar to great heights. He would get to keep it for the duration of his term to be passed on to his successor.

New President Marcelo Co then took the podium and made an audio visual presentation of the history of the Club giving glimpse of what is going to be in store during his leadership. He announced the creation of the "Mastermind Group," who will work on further enriching the Club’s cultural programs and the forthcoming 2nd Leadership Summit where he would invite international guest speakers who will share their business insights for the benefit of the Club members.

Another highlight of the evening was the introduction of the Anvil Business Magazine which will serve as a medium in order to announce and promote the programs, events and activities of the Club. It would come out in two versions, English and Chinese. Obviously, the objective is to expand its circulation abroad specially in the neighboring Asian countries where we can reach out to as many counterparts in these Chinese speaking regions and hopefully, for them to likewise establish our Club Chapters there.

The occasion also served to showcase one of the Club's key strengths: having among its ranks industry leaders who currently dominate their respective fields of endeavor. The latter part of the program invited four such leaders — all of whom served in both capacities as President and Chairman of the Anvil Business Club — as resource speakers in a panel discussion that talked about their secrets to business success: Jeffrey Ng (real estate development), Peter Mangasing (cable and wires), Wilson Lee Flores (branding, insurance and consumer goods), and George Siy (beauty and wellness).

Newly-installed President Marcelo Co presents a Plaque of Appreciation to Anvil Business Club's Honorary Chairman Jeffrey Ng, Wilson Lee Flores, Chairman Emeritus George Siy and Outgoing Chairman Peter Mangasing who served as Guest Resource Panelist during the evening's turn over ceremonies

Outgoing Chairman Peter Mangasing and President Reginald Yu awards all Directors with a Leadership Excellence Award in recognition of the outstanding work done during the 2 year term of their administration

The 2016 Anvil Business Club Board of Directors Congratulations to the new Board of Directors for 2016! Under their leadership, the best is yet to come! Good luck!

Photos of Anvil Members and Guests enjoying the turnover ceremonies

A TRIBUTE TO TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP,

Presenting "A TRIBUTE TO TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP," a specially produced video presentation of the Anvil Business Club which definitively encapsulates the Club's glorious years from 2014 to 2015, as told from the perspective of its officers, members and stakeholders.
First premiered during the Club's official presidential turnover ceremonies last January 27, 2016, this unabridged version serves, not only as a modest tribute to the transformative power of its leadership, but more importantly, to the refreshing dynamism of its fast-flourishing membership who made it all happen.

Happy viewing!