A Toast to Hope

The Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines, in partnership with the Philippine Swiss Business Council, recently held the annual Swiss auction for the benefit of Aid Line Philippine-Swiss (ALPS) Foundation.

The who’s who of Swiss and Philippine society and business communities gathered for a night of generosity and humanitarianism aptly titled “A Toast to Hope.”

The event was led by Swiss Ambassador Andrea Reichlin, Philippine-Swiss Business Council chairman Luis Mendez and director Wolfgang Weilbach with ALPS Foundation president Reiner Gloor.

For six years, these successful and altruistic men and women, including Lucerne president Ivan Yao and managing director Emerson Yao, jewelry mogul Hans Brumann and artist and architect Sacha Cotture, have chosen to give back by being at the forefront of raising funds for those who have been affected by typhoons and other natural disasters.

The event’s proceeds were for the benefit of the ALPS Foundation, which was established after typhoon Ondoy. The foundation exists to assist victims of calamities in the Philippines. Together, these generous philanthropists prove that it is indeed a blessing to give than to receive.

Congratulations for a successful event!

(From left) Charlie Chiong, Alex Francisco, Lucio See, Danny So, Vis-Min Merchants Amity Association Inc. president Ali Uy, Arvin Sy, Johnny Sy, Rafael Chua, Felix Ng and Hammer Tan.

Merchants of Manila

In celebration of its 39th anniversary, the Vis-Min Merchants Amity Association Inc. recently held an elegant dinner party at Century Park Hotel in Manila.

The celebration, which was attended by tycoons like Sterling Group of Companies chairman and CEO Henry Lim Bon Liong and Lucerne president Ivan Yao, also served as the induction of Ali Uy as the association’s 28th president.

Henry Lim Bon Liong also gave a speech on behalf of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII).

Congratulations to the Vis-Min Merchants Amity Association Inc. for a successful celebration!