Ultimate Swiss craftmanship now in Manila

Ultimate Swiss craftsmanship now in Manila

• Envoys & Expats

by Suzette Jessica - March 7, 2015                         Image Credits: Stephen Morelos

Leading the ceremonial ribbon-cutting along with Switzerland-based Charles Villoz, vice president of Longines and head of International Sales, and Longines Ambassador of Elegance Eddie Peng (fourth and fifth from left) are Longines Regional Sales Manager for Asia Pacific Claude Jaunin, President of Lucerne Group Ivan Yao, Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber, Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos and Lucerne Group Managing Director Emerson Yao

 Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos, Switzerland-based Longines Vice President and Head of International Sales Charles Villoz, Lucerne Group president Ivan Yao, Longines Ambassador of Elegence Eddie Peng, Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber and Lucerne Group managing director Emerson Yao as they proudly show off their Longines watches

When people talk of timepieces, those that are made in Switzerland are considered ne plus ultra.

Longines’ Ambassador of Elegance Eddie Peng (right), briefly talks on the Conquest Classic collection, a line dedicated to Longines watchmaking tradition and passion for equestrian sports, as Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber and Longines Vice President and Head of International Sales Charles Villoz look on

Among the brands that is a must for collectors of chronographs is Longines.

Switzerland-based Longines Vice President and Head of International Sales Charles Villoz

Since it first produced timekeeping devices in 1832, it has become known for its strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. It isn’t surprising that its watches are passed on within families, from generation to generation, proof of its excellent craftsmanship.

Lucerne’s Emerson and Ling Ling Yao and brand and corporate sales manager Mitch del Rosario with Longines’ Regional Sales Manager for Asia Pacific Claude Jaunin

Longines recently opened its first exclusive boutique in the country at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall. Management representatives from its headquarters in Switzerland attended this special event, which was hosted by the Lucerne group. Taiwan-based movie star, singer and performer Eddie Peng flew in for this special occasion as the Longines Ambassador of Elegance.

 Longines’ Regional Sales Manager for Asia Pacific Claude Jaunin, Lucerne’s Ling Ling Yao, Switzerland-based Longines Vice President and Head of International Sales Charles Villoz and event host Johnny Litton

Leading the ceremonial ribbon-cutting ceremony with Peng were Switzerland-based Charles Villoz, vice president of Longines and head of international sales; Longines Regional Sales Manager for Asia Pacific Claude Jaunin; Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber; Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos; Lucerne Group President Ivan Yao; and Emerson Yao, managing director of the Lucerne Group.

Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber flanked by Switzerland-based Longines Vice President and Head of International Sales Charles Villoz and Longines’ Regional Sales Manager for Asia Pacific Claude Jaunin

Peng now joins top actors like Simon Baker and Kate Winslet as member of the Longines family.

 Taiwan-based movie star, singer and performer Eddie Peng, who flew in for the special occasion as Longines’ Ambassador of Elegance, briefly talks on the Conquest Classic collection, a line dedicated to Longines watchmaking tradition and passion for equestrian sports

The new Longines boutique will be a modern interpretation of the brand’s traditional values and about two centuries of craftsmanship. With each new boutique opening, Longines takes the opportunity to show different facets of its passion for elegance and constant innovation.

Suzette Jessica

Image Credits: Stephen Morelos

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Swiss music over fondue and raclette

Swiss music over fondue and raclette

Details

 

Category: Envoys & Expats

31 May 2014

Written by Suzette Jessica

In Photo: SwissAmbassador Ivo Sieber (right) and Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission Raoul Imbach (all photos by Stephanie Tumampos)

WHEN we think of Switzerland, we think of watches, chocolates and its banking system. Rarely do we think of culture and the arts. This mindset is about to change with the creation of the Swiss Cultural Fund Philippines.

Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber said the fund was created “to foster cultural exchanges between Switzerland and the Philippines. It will give the people of the Philippines more opportunities to discover Swiss artists and get acquainted with Swiss culture, while Swiss artists will get to appreciate Philippine culture and, where possible, create synergies.”

The fund is sponsored by Swiss companies, which are active in the Philippines. Presently, sponsors to the fund include Nestlé, Bühler and Swatch.

Ambassador Sieber said there are 5,000 Swiss nationals in the Philippines, making it one of the largest Swiss communities in Asia. On the other hand, there are about 20,000 Filipinos in Switzerland.

He said the fund would give the citizens from both countries an opportunity to discover each other’s culture.

The Swiss Cultural Fund Philippines was officially launched during a VIP event at the Swiss Ambassador’s Residence on May 26. The launch coincided with a private concert by Swiss jazz artist Claude Diallo, who was in the country last week for a series of concerts.

On the other hand, the fund was introduced to media in a private get-together held at the residence of Swiss Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Raoul Imbach, who also happens to be a multitalented musician. Imbach, who is performing in a concert at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium today at 6 p.m., is known in the diplomatic circle here and abroad as the “Singing Diplomat.”

It was an intimate gathering that gave media a chance to chat with Ambassador Sieber and Counselor Imbach on all things Swiss. In fact, much of the talk that afternoon centered on Swiss food, particularly raclette, as the diplomats talked about this delicacy to the guests.

Ambassador Sieber says almost all homes in Switzerland has a raclette machine of some kind, since the dish of melted cheese, boiled baby potatoes, cocktail onions and gherkins is a must in all Swiss gatherings, along with that other staple, cheese fondue. And there were more culinary discoveries that afternoon, including roesti, pan-fried shredded potato pancakes.

Imbach wears a lot of hats; he is not only a diplomat and musician, he is also a restaurateur, having run a restaurant during his assignment in Bolivia. In the short time that he has been in the Philippines, he has picked up enough Filipino to integrate the language into his compositions. The audience at his Rizal Park show will surely be enthralled by his romantic compositions, the same way he has charmed his audience around the world.

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