HSBC WELCOMES CHINESE NEW YEAR WITH A DRAGON'S 'MIRACLE'
According to those who’ve studied the Chinese lunar calendar, this year, the Year of the Wooden Dragon, “represents success, power and wealth.”
Staying true to celebrating traditions, HSBC Philippines recently welcomed the Year of the Wooden Dragon with a grand celebration. It also put on center stage the journey of singer Gary Valenciano — a “dragon” himself, born in 1964 — who was introduced in the same breath as both “Mr. Pure Energy,” and “a medical miracle.” After singing Reaching Out, Lean On Me, and Love In Any
Language, Gary proceeded to share his life’s own melody. “And it’s not a sad story, okay, this is not, really. It’s a victorious one,” he hastened to add. He has had type 1 diabetes since he was 14 (he turns 60 on Aug. 6), underwent heart bypass surgery in 2018, during which his doctors discovered he also had kidney cancer.
“Two weeks after they found the bypass, they found cancer in my kidney. So it was like, I went in for this, and a month after they went in for this, and then it was just one challenge after the next. But I’m still here, enjoying doing this. So there must be a reason, despite all the difficulties, there must be a reason why it’s, like, I guess, God (is saying) ‘I know what you’re going through, but I’m with you every step of the way,’” said Gary.
And so his next two songs were all about hope and confidence not only now, but in the days to come: I Will Be Here, Warrior is a Child.
“And, I don’t have to say much about the songs. I will allow them to speak to you. The way these songs have spoken to me,” he said.
In a similar beat of optimism, a multi-sensory Lunar New Year gala, “Sense and Sensibilities,” was hosted by HSBC Philippines last week.
“We continue to be optimistic of what the coming years have in store for our business, customers, employees, and community as we count down to our 150th anniversary in November 2025,” president and CEO Sandeep Uppal shared in his opening remarks. “We look forward to the strengthened partnership in our stakeholders’ growth and expansion journey, bringing them exciting opportunities, not only in the Philippines, but across the globe.”
The Lunar New Year brings traditions and celebrations going back in time and moving from generation to generation. HSBC’s gala delighted the guests with an entertaining and captivating evening that touched on all their senses — from the dragon dance to the dessert.
The glass-walled bridge to the ballroom was festooned by an arch of dazzling Chinese lanterns, while miniature golden dragons were on all table centerpieces.
Guests were welcomed with sumptuous Chinese fare specially crafted for HSBC Philippines, followed by the dragon dance, which symbolizes power, dignity and wisdom. The “dragon” led the guests to the doors of the Grand Ballroom, where guests experienced a multi-sensorial feast to please their senses of sight, taste, smell, touch and sound.
Celebrity impersonator Jon Santos hosted the evening, where he transformed into different personalities such as “Michelle Yes Yes Yo!,” “Si-Mulan” and “Empress Hong Shang” from the Kong Hai dynasty, who introduced each of the five movements of the Wooden Dragon. Starting with the first movement — sense of sight — guests were shown a video inviting them to envision a future adorned with opportunities, rousing their excitement for the rest of the program.
Experiencing sense of taste followed with guests being treated to a four-course dinner to delight their palate. The exquisitely curated set of dishes were prepared by the awesome duo of executive chef Joris Rycken and executive Chinese chef Wang
Wei Qing of Shangri-La at the Fort. Guests were surprised by an exciting sword exhibition and fan dance, which presented the sense of smell, with fragrant scented candles given to guests to represent luck, prosperity, abundance, happiness and good fortune.
Royce Aviguetero, the night’s guest violinist, then serenaded the crowd with the popular classic Chinese song Tien Mi Mi before the program segued to present the sense of touch, with a video presentation showcasing HSBC Philippines’ commitment to support communities alongside its long-standing partners, impacting communities and lives of many by changing the course of their future.
Uppal, joined by HSBC Philippines’ business heads onstage, led the toast, and invited everyone to raise their glasses to welcome the year of the Wooden Dragon saying, “Here’s to growing and nurturing our future together. Gong Xi Fa Chai!”
Ending the evening on a high note was a private concert by Gary V. as he roused the audience with his songs and sharp dance moves signifying positivity and good vibes for the coming year. Truly, a miracle “in motion.” For that is exactly what he is. By the time he sang the upbeat Di Bale na Lang, the guests were in motion, too. Why, even British Ambassador Laure Beaufils was on her feet, swaying to the beat of Gary V! (You may e-mail me at joanneraeramirez@yahoo.com. Follow me on Instagram @joanneraeramirez.)