Vlad Bunoan

Harvey Ong turns hosting into a lasting business

Article (news)

Leah C. Salterio

What began as a favor for a friend’s wedding in 1996 has grown into a full-fledged business for Harvey Ong, a multi-lingual host known for navigating events in Mandarin, Hokkien, English and Filipino.Nearly three decades on, he continues to host weddings, cultural programs and corporate galas — adapting to every audience he faces.“In my career as an event host, I take the time and effort to make sure all of my events leave a lasting impression on the celebrants, making each one memorable and distinct from each other,” Ong told ABS-CBN News.“I learned how enjoyable it was to engage with the crowd and the fulfillment of seeing the satisfaction on the faces of the guests and celebrants,” Ong added. “After that, I decided to venture on the path of being an events host.”<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1777337165527IMG_3719.jpeg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Harvey Ong</div>Little did he know that hosting would evolve into a full-fledged business — one that would establish him as one of the industry’s most versatile and dependable figures for nearly three decades. Today, he is the founder and president of Harvey Ong Events.“It is very crucial and constant to come up with unique programs and various creative executions for my clients, so that there will be defining and remarkable moments,” explained Ong. Over the years, Ong has sustained his presence in the industry, buoyed by the trust and satisfaction of his clients.“In addition to learning and knowing the preferences and likes of my clients, an in-depth assessment of their personalities helps me recommend a more appropriate and relatable experience,” he said. Ong admits that hosting comes with its own set of challenges, especially in keeping up with evolving demands. He said given the &quot;fast-paced nature&quot; of hosting, it can be challenging to balance new trends with &quot;traditional rituals,&quot; while also accommodating special requests from clients who want to keep their events intimate.Being a business owner also comes with its own pressures.“Time management, discipline and patience are valuable to me,” admitted Ong. “Honestly, customized implementations sometimes drain my creative juice and eventually, physical exhaustion. But the passion always has to be there – it is essential to all my endeavors.”Despite this, he finds his business fulfilling enough. “Embarking into a business was my own choice,” Ong said. “While I did not have a previous business venture, I was always fascinated by the idea of starting my own. In my college years was around the time I decided to embark on the eventologist and hosting business.”He also teaches at De La Salle University (DLSU) during the day where he gets to mentor and inspire future professionals. He teaches Management, Entrepreneurship and Management Information System subjects.“I believe the most heartwarming and the most content I feel is when I see my student become a very successful businessman when they graduate and each and every time, I also learned from them in turn,” he said.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1777337195208IMG_3720.jpeg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Harvey Ong</div>Ong studied at De La Salle University, where he later pursued both his master’s and Ph.D. “I took up Business Management which helped me gain the necessary foundation and insight to start up my own business as an events host,” he said. As a child, Ong’s dream was to become a celebrity. “While not in the traditional sense of the word, I think that my reputation as an events host speaks to my fulfillment of that ambition,” he beamed.Balancing life as a professor, entrepreneur and host, Ong credits discipline and adaptability for keeping everything in sync — but it’s his family that keeps him grounded.“When I’m home, my wife makes sure that I don’t need to worry or do anything which I am always grateful for, as she advises me to take care of myself. That kind of love and devotion inspires me to work hard for my family,” he said.Inspired by hosts like Jimmy Fallon, Ong continues to refine his craft, bringing the same level of dedication to every event as he did when he first picked up the microphone nearly three decades ago.“I believe that his dedication to his craft and cultivating his skills taught me to strive for a high-quality standard when it comes to organizing and planning my events,” Ong said.

Harvey Ong has spent nearly three decades turning celebrations into seamless productions—moving effortlessly between Mandarin, Hokkien, English and Filipino to connect with diverse audiences.

Harvey Ong has spent nearly three decades turning celebrations into seamless productions—moving effortlessly between Mandarin, Hokkien, English and Filipino to connect with diverse audiences.