From a single restaurant with 30 employees, Antonio "Chef Tony Boy" Escalante managed to translate his love for cooking into a culinary empire of multiple restaurants across the Philippines with support from LANDBANK.
TAGAYTAY CITY – Just like having the right ingredients to create gastronomic experiences, to having an excellent team of chefs in the kitchen, it also takes the right people and partnerships to build a successful restaurant business. This adage rings true for Antonio "Chef Tony Boy" Escalante and the remarkable journey of the Antonio’s Group of Restaurants.
Chef Tony Boy started his career not in the kitchen but in dentistry school. He then traded the dental chair for the open skies, working as a cabin crew member for Philippine Airlines for nearly a decade. However, he was only able to spread his wings and fly when he finally decided to pursue his ultimate passion – cooking.
His culinary journey began at the Regency Park Institute of TAFE in Adelaide, Australia, where he honed his skills through various kitchen jobs before returning home to the Philippines. In Manila, he spent three years refining his culinary skills at the prestigious Tivoli Grill in the Mandarin Oriental Manila.
In 2002, Chef Tony Boy's culinary dream materialized with the opening of his namesake restaurant in Tagaytay City. The establishment quickly became a hallmark of fine dining, lauded for its exquisite cuisine and impeccable service.
Antonio’s Restaurant soon garnered numerous accolades as one of the country’s most celebrated restaurants. From 2007 to 2014, it consistently won the Best Continental Restaurant Award at Manila's Best Kept Restaurant Secrets Awards. From 2008 to 2013, it was the sole Filipino entry in the Miele Guide's Top 20 Southeast Asian restaurants, even reaching number five in the 2010 edition. Antonio's also secured the top 48th spot on Asia's Best Restaurants in 2015.
Expanding the Culinary Vision with LANDBANK
Chef Tony Boy wanted to expand Antonio’s operations beyond a single restaurant. In 2006, he established the Escanova Ventures which housed Antonio’s Restaurant and Breakfast at Antonio’s.
He then embarked on a new venture in 2015 and put up “Balay Dako,” a restaurant offering traditional local fare and fusion cuisine with great views of Taal Lake. This required significant financial investment, with more capital needed to see plans for further expansion materialize.
In 2017, Chef Tony Boy turned to Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) for a P113-million loan. This was the start of a productive partnership that laid the groundwork for sustained growth and success.
The LANDBANK support supplemented Escanova Ventures’ capital, which enabled the expansion of Antonio's Fine Dining and the renovation of Breakfast at Antonio's. The loan also helped build BP One Foods Inc. to spearhead the restaurant chain's expansion across Luzon.
The state-run Bank also remained a steadfast partner throughout crises, offering financial solutions and support when Antonio's Group was tested during the 2019 Taal Volcano eruption and the subsequent COVID-19 pandemic.
"At the height of the pandemic, LANDBANK was there for us. They provided deferments, helped us analyze our finances, and offered tailored products that perfectly addressed our needs," shared Chef Tony Boy.
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Basti Escalante led the pivot to distribution and sale of Antonio’s popular products in Metro Manila during the pandemic through Pedro the Grocer. He has since played a significant role focusing on the retail side of the business.
From then on, Basti became an active partner, focusing on the retail and business side of the Antonio’s chain of restaurants. This father-and-son collaboration further strengthened the Antonio's Group, allowing them to adapt and thrive amidst challenging circumstances.
Empowered by LANDBANK's support, Chef Tony Boy emerged from the pandemic with renewed confidence to expand further. This financial backing and trust allowed the Antonio's Group to navigate the crises and adapt to grow amidst uncertainties.
"LANDBANK believed in us, our goals, and how we run our business. This trust, even during the pandemic, was a stamp of approval that gave us the confidence to expand our ventures," said Chef Tony Boy.
Cooking a Culinary Legacy
What started as a single restaurant with a team of 30 has blossomed into a culinary empire of almost a thousand employees. Today, the Antonio's Group of Restaurants continues to flourish, driven by Chef Tony Boy's passion, Basti's innovative spirit, and the unwavering support of LANDBANK.
"With LANDBANK's help, their banking expertise, and the dedication of their employees, we have been able to expand into Metro Manila and other cities. They have been instrumental in realizing our expansion plans," said Chef Tony Boy.
Fueled by LANDBANK's commitment to empowering Filipino entrepreneurs, Chef Tony Boy’s story transcends mere culinary success. It's a narrative of how the right ingredients, the right people, and the right partnerships can create a recipe for business excellence.
ABOUT LANDBANK
LANDBANK is the largest development financial institution in the country promoting inclusive and sustainable development to benefit Filipinos. The Bank is present in all 82 provinces in the country, committed to providing accessible and responsive financial support to key players and industries as part of its broader thrust of serving the nation.
Advancing digital financial inclusion: LANDBANK and Palawan State University launch Cash-Lite Campus initiative
PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan – LANDBANK and Palawan State University (PSU) have partnered to launch the Cash-Lite Campus initiative, advancing digital financial literacy and empowering students with secure, efficient banking solutions. Launched on 9 October 2025 at the PSU Performing Arts Center, the initiative aims to reduce cash dependency and streamline transactions for University’s students, faculty, and staff through mobile and e-banking services. “LANDBANK is here to help students build digital confidence in managing their finances — safely, smartly, and efficiently. Whether paying school fees, buying meals, or splitting costs with friends, our digital solutions make everyday transactions simpler and more secure,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz, who led the event, together with PSU President Dr. Ramon M. Docto and other officials. The Cash-Lite Campus initiative introduces the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App (MBA) and other e-payment channels, equipping students with essential digital financial skills. A key feature is the LANDBANK Piso Plus account, which can be opened via the LANDBANK MBA, with no initial deposit or maintaining balance. Pre-launch activities on 8 October engaged students in interactive missions to promote account opening and digital engagement. The launch also featured a financial literacy session and live demonstrations of cashless transactions using the LANDBANK MBA, highlighting the convenience and security of digital banking. The initiative is expected to result in over 12,000 new account openings and a significant boost in digital transactions at PSU, supporting LANDBANK’s mission to advance financial inclusion in the education sector. Following PSU, LANDBANK plans to expand the Cash-Lite Campus initiative nationwide, fostering digital adoption and financial empowerment among the youth. Through partnerships like this, LANDBANK continues to champion financial inclusion and digital innovation, ensuring students and educators are equipped to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.
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LANDBANK empowers small businesses with accessible financing, support services
As part of its steadfast efforts to drive economic activities and promote inclusive growth, LANDBANK has rolled-out a new lending program to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and their partner financial institutions with accessible financing and capacity-building support. Under the LIFTING MSMEs Lending Program — which stands for LANDBANK’s Innovative Financing Thrust Towards Inclusive National Growth thru Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises — eligible borrowers may use loan proceeds for working capital, business expansion, equipment purchase or upgrade, renovation, digitalization, franchising, export and trade finance, and green or sustainable projects. “MSMEs are the backbone of the Philippine economy, making up 99.6% of total business establishments and employing 65% of the total workforce. Every loan extended to an MSME creates a ripple effect — sustaining jobs, uplifting families, and strengthening communities. Through the LIFTING MSMEs Lending Program, LANDBANK is fueling this multiplier effect to accelerate inclusive and sustainable growth across the nation,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. Loan packages for every growth stage To support businesses at every stage of their journey, the program offers three (3) loan packages. The Start-Up Loan, ranging from ₱100,000 to ₱500,000, is designed for start-ups and microenterprises with less than one (1) year of operation. It comes with free financial literacy training, minimal collateral requirements, and low welcome interest rates. For micro and small enterprises with at least one (1) year in operation, the Step-Up Loan provides between ₱500,000 and ₱5 million in financing, with added benefits such as free training, interest rate reductions, provision of Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal, and eligibility to transition to higher financing. Meanwhile, the Level-Up Loan, offering up to ₱50 million, is available to small and medium enterprises with more than three (3) years of operations. This package provides strategic funding to scale businesses further, coupled with lower interest rates and access to a LANDBANK corporate credit card. Under the Program, LANDBANK also extends a rediscounting line to credit cooperatives, rural banks, and microfinance institutions (MFIs) that provide loan services to MSMEs to boost their lending capacity, covering up to 85% of outstanding receivables. How to apply Interested borrowers may apply for the LIFTING MSMEs Lending Program through the LANDBANK Business Loan Application (BLA) Portal, an online platform where loan applicants can directly submit their applications without the need for manual intervention. The Portal allows applicants to complete application forms, upload required documents, and track the status of their application. It is accessible 24/7 through the LANDBANK website at https://www.landbank.com. For more information, interested borrowers may visit any LANDBANK Lending Center or Branch, or contact LANDBANK’s Customer Care Hotline at (02) 8405-7000. ABOUT LANDBANK LANDBANK is the largest development financial institution in the country promoting financial inclusion, digital transformation, and sustainable national development. Present in all 82 provinces in the county, the Bank is committed to provide accessible and responsive financial solutions to empower Filipinos from countryside to countrywide.
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LANDBANK resumes operations in Cebu and Masbate; bolsters recovery support
LANDBANK has fully restored regular banking operations in Cebu and Masbate following the recent earthquake and Typhoon Opong, reaffirming its commitment to uninterrupted financial access for affected communities. All LANDBANK branches in both provinces are now operational, with the exception of the Aroroy, Masbate branch-lite unit, which remains temporarily closed due to a power outage. Clients are advised to use nearby branches, ATMs, or the Bank’s digital platforms for their immediate banking needs. Despite the calamities’ impact on its operations and personnel, LANDBANK continues to expand support to affected communities, mobilizing ₱4.9 million in monetary aid to affected areas. This includes ₱2 million for Cebu Province, ₱1.5 million for Bogo City, and ₱500,000 for Masbate Province, ₱200,000 for Masbate City, and ₱100,000 each for the municipalities of Uson, Dimasalang, Cawayan, Cataingan, Mandaon, Milagros and Palanas. On October 2, LANDBANK employees distributed 2,000 food relief packs to evacuees in Daanbantayan, Bogo City, Medellin, and San Remigio, Cebu. The relief operations were made possible through the voluntary efforts and cash contributions of LANDBANK employees, reflecting the Bank’s collective spirit of compassion and solidarity with affected communities. The Bank is also partnering with humanitarian group Waves for Water (W4) to deploy portable water filtration systems in the hardest-hit areas. “LANDBANK stands ready to deliver both immediate and sustained financial lifelines to our fellow Filipinos in Cebu and Masbate. Our emergency support programs ensure that all affected sectors — from farmers and fishers to MSMEs and wage earners — have the resources to recover and bounce back stronger,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz. Beyond immediate relief, LANDBANK is rolling out financial programs to support long-term recovery. These include: • CARES Plus Lending Program: Financing for MSMEs, cooperatives, and utilities for working capital, repairs, and disaster recovery. • Electronic Salary Loan (eSL): Quick access to credit for LANDBANK payroll account holders via digital platforms. • EasyCash for Emergencies: Emergency cash conversion for LANDBANK credit cardholders with flexible repayment terms. • Pension and Emergency Relief (PeER) Loan: Credit assistance for pensioners with LANDBANK Pension Accounts and government employees with LANDBANK Payroll Accounts, offering loan amounts ranging from ₱20,000 to ₱300,000. • Emergency Loans: Immediate financial assistance for government employees with LANDBANK Payroll Accounts and pensioners with LANDBANK Pension Accounts, up to P25,000. Borrowers with existing Salary or PeER Loans in good standing are also eligible. Clients may access LANDBANK services through open branches, over 2,900 ATMs nationwide, or online via the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App (MBA) and Link.BizPortal. For more information on the Bank’s emergency support programs, visit the nearest LANDBANK branch or contact the Customer Care Hotline at (02) 8405-7000.
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