At conferment, Ernest Escaler with Italian Ambassador Marco Clemente and wife Rosaria
Leading Filipino businessman and pioneering entrepreneur Ernest Escaler was conferred the award of “Commendatore” of the Order of the Star of Italy by the Embassy of Italy represented by the Italian ambassador to the Philippines Marco Clemente at the Italian Ambassador’s residence in Makati City Feb. 21, 2024.
Through the years Escaler has helped strengthen ties and cooperation with Italy across various sectors, from the Vatican to food, the arts. As he recalled in his acceptance remarks, his interest in Italy was sparked in the ‘60s when as a youngster he would travel to the country with his parents.
In his later years, he built a pioneering food business—his Gourmet Farms, in a vast sprawl in Silang Cavite, was ahead of its time, both in the restaurant business, retail, organic farming and production, producing coffee, growing organic vegetables, producing packaged snacks, salad mixes, breads. The brand continues innovations.
Even as he led in the restaurant and food business, he grew his ties to the Catholic Church and the Vatican, and the arts, particularly with the Asian Cultural Council and in filmmaking. He belongs to the de Leon clan, the family that pioneered the post-war Philippine movie industry. Escaler is behind many award-winning films and film makers who won acclaim in international film festivals, such as the Cannes Film Festival. Ambassador Clemente himself recalled in his remarks how Escaler introduced him to some innovative Filipino films.
From left, Capt. Stanley Ng, Malaysian Ambassador Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Alice Eduardo, Susan Joven, Consul Agnes Huibonhua, Ambassador Babes Romualdez
Ernest Escaler, Italian Ambassador Marco Clemente (standing, second from right) and wife Rosaria (standing beside Escaler), with well-wishers: Seated, from left, Ambassador Mercy Tuason, Triccie Sison, Maribel Ongpin, Ambassador Isabel Caro Wilson, Tess Rances; standing, from left, Doris Magsaysay-Ho, Josie Bantug, National Artist Alice Reyes (standing, far right)
His confernment was attended by foreign and Filipino diplomats led by the US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, the Egyptian Ambassador Shehabeldin Ibrahim, the Dutch Ambassador Marielle Geraedts, and from the Nunciature, Rev. Fr. Holik Vjekoslav.
His family and close friends were present.—Thelma Sioson
Cathy de Guzman, Margie Moran-Floirendo, Thai Ambassador Tull Traisorat
Rev. Fr. Holik Vjekoslav, representative of the Papal Nuncio, Ambassador Mercy Tuason, Fr. Armand Tangi, SPC
Ernest Escaler surrounded by family and friends
From left, Therese Dabao, Thai Ambassador Tull Traisorat, US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, Dr. Alex Santos, Aubrey Carlson, Cesar and Bambina Buenaventura
Ernest Escaler seated with Ambassador Mercy Tuason, with 2nd row, from left, Millie de Sequerra, Josie Bantug, Ambassador Ching Escaler, Carol Garcia, Susan Joven, Alice Eduardo, Doris Magsaysay-Ho, Thai Ambassador Till Traisorat, Helen Magsaysay-Ho
Thai Ambassador Tull Traisorat, Ernest Escaler, Egyptian Ambassador Ahmed Shehabeldin Ibrahim, Dr. Alex Santos, Ambassador Babes Romualdez
From left, Pancho Escaler, Susan Joven, Ernest Escaler, Dutch Ambassador Marielle Geraedts, Rico Escaler
Ernest Escaler with Escaler family, from left, Frank and Ditas Khouri, Rico, Tessie and Pancho, Therese Dabao, Michael, Ching, Andrew, Joel Dabao
