A lavish feast and ‘Fortunes Unfolding’
HSBC Philippines welcomed the Lunar New Year with a lavish feast at Makati Shangri-La Manila called “Fortunes Unfolding.” Red, a color associated with both HSBC and Chinese New Year, was everywhere—from the lanterns and envelopes that decorated the venue to the outfits of attendees.
The Lunar New Year gathering is an annual tradition for HSBC and its valued partners.
The festivities kicked off with a Prosperity Toss, with guests tossing the Yee Sang, a colorful raw fish salad, in the air for good luck, abundance, and prosperity in the coming year.
Inside the hotel’s Rizal Ballroom, the program began with a dragon and lion dance for more good luck and fortune.
Sandeep Uppal, president and CEO of HSBC Philippines, welcomed guests. “We are delighted that you joined us tonight as we celebrate the Year of the Wood Snake. In Chinese culture, the snake represents good luck, prosperity, and longevity. Snakes are also revered for their ability to shed the skin and renew themselves and they do that in a way that brings a lot of luck and prosperity. All of us look at the year with optimism. As HSBC celebrates our 150th anniversary this year, we hope that our rich legacy and unwavering support to you, our partners and clients, will help bring you good luck and prosperity. Just as we did in 1875, we remain committed to you as valued partners to bring you the opportunities not just in the Philippines but beyond.”
Uppal shared that 10 years after the bank was founded in Hong Kong, it opened its first branch in Binondo, Manila. “That branch was our home for the next 100 years. Our early business in the Philippines concentrated on the financing of sugar trade, and that’s why in April 1883 we opened our first branch outside Manila in Iloilo. We were in Iloilo for about 100 years, until 1980.”
He continued, “Along the way, HSBC also contributed to the development of infrastructure in The Philippines. Most notably, we financed the first railway from Manila to Dagupan. Fast forward to today, we continue to play a role in nation-building. Allow me to thank you all for your trust and partnership through the years as we strive to be the most respected international bank in the Philippines.”
Uppal also said that it’s no surprise that HSBC Philippines’ birth year was the year of the Pig, an animal sign associated with honesty, reliability, and success.
Traditional Chinese dishes
Attendees enjoyed a delicious dinner that started with a plate of appetizers inspired by traditional Chinese dishes: suckling pig, roast duck, jellyfish, and crispy prawn with salted egg. Soup was next—braised chicken with pine mushrooms, scallops and conch.
To cleanse the palate, guests enjoyed a lovely calamansi sorbet with crystallized lime zest. The main course was baked cod fish with XO sauce, broccoli, fluffy egg whites, crispy leeks, and ginger. Dessert was a cream cheese mousse with orange confit, orange cremeux, and hazelnut biscuit.
HSBC Philippines events are known for great entertainment and because this is a milestone year for the company, the program presented a stellar lineup of performers: Sofronio Vasquez III, fresh from his triumph as the first Filipino and Asian to win “The Voice” in the United States; Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez; and Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano and his children Gab and Kiana Valenciano.
“One hundred-fifty years says a lot about the group of people that has kept HSBC going. It might seem like you’re all living a legacy that had been left behind for you … but you’re actually continuing that legacy for many, many more years to come,” Gary said before singing “Go the Distance” from the soundtrack of the Disney animated film “Hercules.”
Velasquez is a regular at HSBC events, she shared between songs. “I’m always included. Malapit na nga ako bigyan ng award eh. The most invited person. The most invited artist. The most invited singer. I’m really very proud. I think I’m your favorite. ’Pag nag 200 kayo imbitahin niyo ulit ako ha,” she said, making the audience laugh, before launching into her hit “Dadalhin.”
Later in the program, Gary addressed Velasquez’s claim to be HSBC’s favorite, also making everyone laugh. “I don’t know, I’ve done a lot also,” he said, before relenting that Velasquez can be the bank’s favorite female artist while he can be their favorite male artist.
He did a duet with daughter Kiana and a fun high-energy number with son Gab that included a drum-off.
Velasquez also greeted everyone at HSBC, saying, “I’m looking forward to more celebrations and more years to come. Congratulations, everyone. I pray that this year will be wonderful for everyone.”
Uppal said, “We are optimistic for 2025 … This year will be filled with opportunities for growth and expansion. We look forward to strengthened partnerships among our stakeholders, bridging our customers to a world of opportunities. We are also solidifying our commitment to the country by continuously supporting the Philippines in its nation-building efforts.”
