Nelson Morales

Boardroom Tea: Retail Royalty keeps it real

Article (news)

Salve Ibaňez

ABS-CBN News

<p>Robina Gokongwei-Pe was the most powerfully inimitable presence at the recent Unstoppable Women Summit organized by the Women’s Business Council. With her usual nondescript loose-fitting dress and flats, the Robinsons Retail queen stood out among women draped in modern Filipiniana finery. True to form, she brought the house down with her unforgettable quips.</p><p>“A lot of the women CEOs here are single again. Would you advise them to get a boyfriend despite the difficulty of maintaining a relationship with alpha females?,” Womenbiz President Rhoda Caliwara ventured. </p><p>Gokongwei-Pe’s reply triggered waves of warm laughter: “Get a boyfriend. If it doesn’t work out, dump him and get another one.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="line-height:1"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746617079977robina.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>The Gokongwei group is slowly passing on the reins in its different businesses to professional managers. Robina gamely said she “kicked herself out” of Robinsons Retail recently to make sure that the company remains strong and sustainable. </p><p>During the open forum, a close friend of Robina shared how the retail tycoon was out with her large dog, expecting to enjoy her usual haircut at a salon in a Robinsons mall.  </p><p>A salon client raised a fuss about the dog that Robina calmly asked if she was hurt and offered to take her to the mall clinic.</p><p>The client refused to budge so Robina decided to gracefully exit. The mortified salon owner later informed the irate client: “Do you know who that was? That’s Robina, the owner of this mall.”</p><p>The client scoffed and said: “I don’t care if she is Robina Gokongwei-Pe. I’m a relative of…&quot;<br/><br/></p><div><strong>BOARDROOM WHISPERS: SWEET PARISIAN INVASION</strong> </div><p><br/>No less than the CEO of Ladurée herself is Manila-bound for the grand opening of the French patisserie—the birthplace of those heavenly sandwich cookies that pair delicate rounds with creamy fillings. I’m fighting macaron cravings as I type, my glucose monitor silently judging me. </p><p>Melanie Carron confirmed her arrival just hours ago. Gastronova Hospitality Group CEO Karan Gopwani (heir to the Vision Express/Eye Society fortune) revealed that Carron rarely travels for openings, but makes an exception for their BGC location—destined to be their Asian flagship. </p><p>This marks the iconic Parisian pastry giant’s second Philippine chapter. My little birds tell me that Ayala Group&#x27;s Mariana Zobel de Ayala and SM Supermalls&#x27; Steven Tan count themselves among devoted Ladurée enthusiasts—not surprising for a patisserie that’s been perfecting macarons since 1862. Gopwani promises all ingredients will be flown directly from Europe, ensuring a taste experience that’s nothing short of transcendent.</p><p>The question is: who will I bump into at the opening? </p><div><em>Boardroom Tea comes out every Wednesday.</em></div>

<p>While at a salon with her dog, Robina Gokongwei encountered a woman who raised a huge fuss over the pet. The woman said she didn't care who Robina was because she was a relative of ... </p>

While at a salon with her dog, Robina Gokongwei encountered a woman who raised a huge fuss over the pet. The woman said she didn't care who Robina was because she was a relative of ...

Robina Gokongwei keeps it real

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Robina Gokongwei keeps it real

Salve Ibaňez,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 07, 2025 10:00 PM PHT

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Updated June 24, 2025 01:15 PM PHT

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