Singing “You Raise Me Up,” he honored the man whose guidance, and vision shaped his life and the multibillion-dollar business empire he now leads as president and CEO.
It was a standout moment during A Lifetime of Toast, a private gathering at the Hilton Manila to celebrate Dr. Tan’s recent conferment of an Honorary Doctorate in Management from the Asian Institute of Management (AIM).
Self-made billionaire
Close family, friends, and corporate leaders from the Alliance Global Group conglomerate gathered to honor the business pioneer, born to Chinese immigrants from Hong Kong, who has since become one of the Philippines’ most successful self-made tycoons.
Apart from AGI, his other well-known businesses include Megaworld Corp., one of the country’s top township developers, and Emperador Inc., the brandy leader that has grown into a global liquor giant.
Tycoon Erramon Aboitiz, chair of AIM’s Board of Trustees and a longtime friend, gave a heartfelt tribute to Dr. Tan—honoring his legacy in business, education, and nation-building.
An evening of song and celebration
Father and son bonded during the event through music, with the elder Tan taking the mic to sing renditions of Moon River, My Way, Misty, and The Music Played by Matt Monro.
His daughter-in-law Raine Tan joined the fun with her rendition of Especially For You, the classic duet made famous by Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan.
Even AGI business leaders weren’t spared the gentle pressure to perform.
Megaworld president Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso led a musical tribute alongside fellow executives with a spirited rendition of Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love.
Other guests in attendance were Winston Co, director and chair of the board of Emperador Inc., and Glenn Manlapaz, the current president and CEO of Emperador Inc.
—Edited by Miguel R. Camus
