With a scorching hot early July day in Manila as the setting, The Legal 500 journeyed to the fabulous Rainmaker Lounge at the penthouse of Villaraza & Angangco’s V&A Law Centre to host and congratulate the leading lights of the in-house legal community of the Philippines as part of the first-ever Philippines GC Powerlist. The room was packed to capacity with GCs, chief legal officers and legal heads, the culmination of a research and invitation process that took our research team many months to complete.  

The lounge had an electric atmosphere as old friends and classmates caught up with each other and new connections were made, and after some bubbles and hors d’oeuvres the guests settled in for the ceremony. Opening remarks and well-wishes from The Legal 500’s GC Powerlist editor Joe Boswell were followed by a rousing congratulatory speech from V&A’s managing partner Sylvette Tankiang who spoke of the great achievements those in the room had made to be a part of the ceremony. GC keynote speaker Maricor Adriano of GCash took the podium next, speaking about the unique role in-house lawyers play for their organisations and relating some of the key episodes in her career that had made her into the lawyer and businessperson she is today.  

The award ceremony followed, as each successful in-house lawyer took to the stage to receive their certificate alongside Legal 500 representative Ben Lovell. After closing congratulations from V&A co-managing partner Franchette Acosta, it was time for the party, which went late into the night. Congratulations to all the fine GCs who made it onto the Powerlist, and thank you to Villaraza & Angangco for making this event possible.