Authentic flavors of Nara
(From left) Chula and Yuki Srikanchana, Sheila Romero, Thai Ambassador Thanatip Upatising and Milka Romero.
The Roku Group of Companies created Japanese comfort food concept Roku Sushi+Ramen and Sushi Nori that has expanded into six branches.
The ever growing company, established in 2012 by Sheila Romero and daughter Milka, recently opened the first branch of Nara Thai Cuisine at the third floor of SM Megamall’s Mega Fashion Hall. Nara Thai, which has seven branches across Bangkok, has been named as one of Bangkok’s best Thai restaurants. It also has restaurants in Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Taiwan and India.
Nara boasts authentic Thai cuisine using quality ingredients flown from Thailand, which are prepared by its in-house Thai executive chef and Thailand-trained sous chefs.
During the restaurant’s grand opening, guests enjoyed delectable dishes like crispy prawn pancake, Pad Thai noodles, chicken satay, catfish salad, Tom Yum Goong, Thai bagoong rice, fried soft-shell crab with tamarind, braised beef massaman curry and roasted duck red curry.
The Roku Group of Companies hopes to bring Nara Thai to Makati soon.
Daniel Matsunaga.
‘Quiet Rebels’
People who grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s are familiar with the Italian premium lifestyle brand Police.
The brand, world-famous for its eyewear, reintroduced itself to a new breed of market. It has also maintained its edgy elements from the past and incorporated them to what is appealing to the new fashion set. The brand calls these trendsetters the “Quiet Rebels.”
Recently, the young and positive “Quiet Rebels” from the Philippines went to Hong Kong to get their Police 2018 Collection. They were Daniel Matsunaga, Tommy Esguerra, Deegee Razon, Matthias Rhoads, Marco Suarez and Rex Intal.
“Today, the brand is aimed at the Quiet Rebels, young people who want to make a mark in the world through their choices and their desire to express themselves. These new ‘rebels’ challenge themselves to overcome all limits, and their fight has become a form of discipline and a drive for excellence,” says Ian Lucas, regional head of De Rigo Ltd., the distributor of Police Sunglasses.
(For more information, check out #QuietRebels on Instagram.)
(From left) HSBC treasurer and head of global markets Dondi Baltazar and head of communications Claro Fernandez, GSC VP for corporate real estate Allan Corocotchia, HSBC SVP for legal lawyer Arnel Alambra, GSC VP for HSBC security services Anand Prabhu, head of HR Tess Garcia and AVP for human resources Joey Torres, HSBC Philippines president and CEO Wick Veloso, GSC site leader Darryl Hogg, GSC Philippines head Belinda Chen, site business manager Farrida Lava, SVP for global banking Richard Venables, head of business service Ana Alsaga and VP for UK contact center Andrew Dingcong, HSBC regulatory compliance head Therese Licaros and SVP for financial crime and compliance Anna Chinjen, GSC VP for regulatory compliance Jonas Lo and HSBC SVP for corporate real estate Eugene Abella.
Pride & Unity
HSBC recently unveiled replicas of its iconic lions — Stephen and Stitt — in their new home at the Global Services Centre (GSC) Philippines in Quezon City. They now sit as welcoming beacons of diversity and inclusion at GSC.
The lions were created by Hong Kong artist Michael Lam, who turned them into art pieces inspired by the colors of the rainbow. The colors of Stephen, the Pride lion, are inspired by the pride flag with a design that uses thick rainbow-colored bars. Meanwhile, Stitt, the Unity lion, is created with circular design, which is a universal symbol of togetherness. Both lions look as if they were sitting on a bed of green grass and have yellow paws in respect to feng shui principles.
Present at the lions’ unveiling were HSBC Philippines president and CEO Wick Veloso and GSC Philippines head Belinda Chen. A short program with a grand lion dance kicked off the event.
“I would like to congratulate GSC Philippines for being cited as one of the most active sites in supporting LGBTQ inclusion and because of that, Stephen and Stitt have found the perfect home in Manila. HSBC is proud to support diversity and inclusion. We have made material progress towards achieving a truly open and diverse working environment, and are deeply committed to supporting equality for everyone,” Veloso said.
Chen added, “Having the Rainbow Lions in a GSC Manila site demonstrates HSBC’s commitment to achieving a truly open and diverse working environment. Having a workforce that reflects the diversity of our customers in the Philippines and which draws on a wide range of perspectives makes us better able to serve the whole community.”
Throughout the history of HSBC, Stephen and Stitt have stood for courage and prosperity. This year, they also stand for pride and unity.
(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)
