Basically, ‘twas a sudden welcome respite. Though it was good news, there was quite a stir, alright, a howler in the social media on the late Proclamation 167 last Thursday declaring Friday as a Special Non-Working Day, a day ahead of the 37th anniversary of the People Power Revolution. 

Palace says the decision, which came out after 6:00 p.m., is “to enable our countrymen to avail of the benefits of a longer weekend pursuant to the principle of holiday economics,” a program during the term of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Startled as they may have been, the officers and staff of corporate affairs of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), efficient as ever, left no stones unturned to send a blast email at 9:30 in the evening to inform the invitees that the annual banking community cocktail will proceed as scheduled.

For a detail-oriented individual and reading between the lines, one can sense a hint of desperation in the email: “…despite the declaration… we hope that you will be able to join us and look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”

Imagine if the event was altogether cancelled. The food prepared by the JLC group of restaurants, yes, this time it’s no longer the old-time favorite Via Mare, will go unappreciated.

The food was carefully chosen and all preferences considered. Allow me to rattle off the starters: mouthwatering Vigan Empanaditas, Chicharones, Cream Cheese Tinapa Canape, Shrimp in Tofu Sampan Boat, Quiche, Callos on Toast, Spanish Garlic, fresh Vietnamese Spring Roll, and Cuban Sandwich Mini Bun.

For vegans, there’s salad Esmeralda with Italian Vinaigrette and raspberry yogurt dressing. Then, there are two kinds of pasta: penne with mixed mushroom and truffleoOil and Fusilli ala Puttanesca.

The centerpiece of the buffet table was the carving station of Roast Beef with a choice of black pepper sauce or chimichurri.

And for those, who still crave for desserts, the array consists of chocolate cake bites, chocolate profiteroles, chocolate Eh!, cheese rolls, blueberry cheesecake, cherry cheesecake, mini ensaymada.

Bibingka Galapong, Cassava Bibingka, Turon sa Kalamay and Turon with Nangka and Ube. And of course, drinks were overflowing from red and white wine and Moet champagne. Lemongrass iced tea, dalandan juice, soda and canned juice for non-alcoholic drinks. And of course, there’s coffee or tea.   

The main man himself, BSP Governor Felipe “Philip” M. Medalla was kinda anxious about the turnout. One can sense this in his opening remarks that holiday information “came only rather late…(which) turned out to be a blessing. Because what we did, of course, was to cancel everything except the important events of the day and this is the most important one” while looking at the expanse of the Assembly Hall.

Without admitting, the smile he wore that very moment says it all. Gov. Philip was pleasantly surprised with the turnout, though some skipped my eyes like seemingly indefatigable Teresita Sy-Coson, vice chair of the country’s largest publicly-listed holding firm, SM Investments Corporation and chair of BDO Unibank, as well as former Central Bank Governor Jaime C. Laya, the hall was virtually full.

From what I gathered, out of more than 480 from the banking, business industry, and the diplomatic corps, more than 300 came. There was no telling on the exact count. An advocate of QR code, the BSP has requested invitees to RSVP and the acknowledgement is a QR code, which will be the passport to getting a name tag before going to the hall.

But, how would one ask the likes of Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chair and CEO of Ayala Corp., and our very own President, Boss Emil for a QR code. Their appearance is already a validation. Add to the list of attendees were the top executives/officers of the BSP as well as business journalists. Suffice it to say, the assembly hall was brimming with guests.

For one, the presence of ICTSI independent director and the founding chairman of the Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. and founding member of the Board of Trustees of the Makati Business Club Cesar Buenaventura surprised everyone. Mr. Cesar smilingly acknowledged: “Yes, after six years.”

Compared to previous occasions, most of them like JAZA, who normally does a French exit, stayed longer, even sitting at the premier table of the Governor, members of the monetary board.

While the event was dubbed to be the “bankers’ night,” from where I stand, it’s actually a reunion of sorts of bank executives, corporate top honchos, economic managers, and business stalwarts. It, too, was the first appearance of Paul A. Favila as the newly minted Citibank country head.

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