Philippe Charriol: The only man who could get away with a pink suit
MANILA, Philippines — My very first memory of Philippe was sometime in 1978 when Rustan’s had a big launch of Santos, Cartier. Philippe Charriol was Cartier’s Asia Pacific Division head back then and we were the very first to do a laser light product launch. It was amazing to me, as I had never seen anything like it.
The friendship with Philippe started during his Cartier days, until he decided to start his own line of watches in 1983. This was when the brand Philippe Charriol was born. And of course, he asked us to carry the line, to which my mother so willingly agreed.
Throughout the years, the friendship became closer and closer and he became part of our family. He became a part of most of the important milestones in our family’s life. And every year, he would come visit the Philippines, not only for business but to catch up on one another’s lives. We would also be invited to his family’s special events and Nedy and Anton would make sure they would be present and not miss out, like the wedding of Coralie Charriol.
A Moroccan lunch in Lipa with (from left) Nedy Tantoco, Peter Jentes, Babette Aquino, Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco, Philippe Charriol, Renato Enriquez, author Maritess ‘‘Tokie’’ Enriquez and Patrick Jacinto
On one of his visits he came to have lunch at my farm. This was on June 10 last year.
Philippe, I will surely miss you. You are the only man I know who could get away with wearing a pink suit. I am deeply saddened by your passing
