2024, the Year of the Wooden Dragon, represents success, power and wealth, and HSBC’s run-up celebration of it last February 1 was a harbinger of all that and even more. Called Sense and Sensibilities, the event not only appealed to all senses but also awakened in its select audience a feeling of inspiration and hope, thanks to the very touching sharing and performance of the country’s foremost music artist and performer, Gary Valenciano.
The evening was a total experience—moods swinging from high energy and hilarity, thanks to the multi-character acts of versatile impersonator and stand-up comedian Jon Santos, to one of reflection and gratitude.
The Lunar New Year brings traditions across generations, and HSBC, an enduring institution in the Philippines, put celebratory traditions at the forefront that night. The foyer of the ballroom of the Shangri-La the Fort was turned into a traditional festive street celebrating the Chinese New Year, with food stalls of fruits (round oranges, apples for good luck), dimsum, noodles. Lanterns decked the stalls.
The doors of the ballroom opened to the rousing dragon dance symbolizing power, dignity and wisdom, and kicking off HSBC’s grand celebration of abundance, prosperity and great partnerships, The dragon led the guests to the Grand Ballroom, where guests would be treated to a multi-sensorial feast to please their sense of sight, taste, smell, touch and sound.
The Lunar New Year gala was opened by HSBC Philippines president and CEO, Sandeep Uppal, who said: “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. 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.”
At the start of the program, the guests watched the giant LED flash images of a multi-awarded actress and in disbelief awaited her appearance onstage. Then walked in celebrity impersonator Jon Santos as “Michelle Yes Yes Yo!” That signaled the start of a hilarious and entertaining evening. Santos walked onto and out of the stage as various characters—”Si-Mulan” (with Disney vibe) 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, when guests watched a video envisioning a future of opportunities.
To indulge their sense of taste, the guests were served a four-course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Joris Rycken and Executive Chinese Chef Wang Wei Qing of Shangri-La at the Fort: Prosperity Yee Sang Salmon and Prawn (cured salmon, poached tiger prawn, shredded mixed vegetables, plum sauce, pomelo, crust peanuts, pickled ginger), Longevity Soup (double-boiled poultry broth, misua noodles, wood ear fungus, bok choy), 36-hour Braised Short Ribsin Cho Hon Jus (scallion potato cake, broccoli florets with garlic and sesame, Goji berries), White Whipped Ganache with strawberry compote and chocolate dragon.
A surprise was an exciting sword exhibition with fan dance—leading on to the sense of smell as fragrant scented candles were given the guests to represent luck, prosperity, abundance, happiness and good fortune.
Violinist Royce Aviguetero serenaded the crowd with the popular classic Chinese song Tien Mi Mi.
What followed, symbolic of the sense of touch, was a video showcasing HSBC Philippines’ commitment to support local communities, alongside its long-standing partners.
Uppal was then joined by HSBC Philippines’ business heads, in the toast: “Here’s to growing and nurturing our future together. Gong Xi Fa Chai!”
Capping the evening was the high-energy performance of Gary Valenciano, signifying positivity and good vibes for the coming year. Among the hits he performed were Reaching Out, Lean On Me, Love In Any Language, I Will Be Here, Warrior is a Child and ultimate crowd favorite, Di Bale na Lang.
The guests that filled the ballroom became his instant fan base as they listened to him talk about what he’s been through in life—a diabetic whose ailment his audience couldn’t have guessed given his high-level performance, and in recent years a heart-bypass and cancer survivor. His words of sharing became as potent as his singing voice and his dance moves. The house’s mood swung from poignancy and reflection to live-wire celebration.
Gary V made the HSBC audience feel that the Year of the Wooden Dragon would bring hope and faith, alongside prosperity and good fortune.