Celebrating the fine business of diplomacy with the Consular Corps and Globe Platinum

CEBU, Philippines - The Consular Corps, an elite association of career and honorary diplomats engaged in foreign service, recently held their 34th Annual Consular Ball, an elegant holiday soiree at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel that is traditionally the yearly highlight of the Philippine international community’s diplomatic-consular calendar. Sponsored by Globe Platinum for the second year running, with no less than Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu and wife Arlene in attendance, the ball was organized by the Ball Committee headed by Chairman Marc Thomas R. Ablaza, Guatemala Honorary Vice Consul, and Vice-Chairman Dr. Juan N. Pena, Estonia Honorary Consul General.

The chichi Christmas bash was a veritable Who’s Who in Philippine high society, graced by dignitaries including Foreign Secretary Alberto G. Romulo and wife Lovely, leading the DFA contingent; Dr. Virachai Techavijit, Estonian Consul General a.h. for Thailand and wife Thiphavan, who together led a visiting delegation from the World Federation of Consuls (FICAC) of which the Consular Corps of the Philippines is an active affiliate; and Ivorian Consul a.h. and past Dean Vicente J. Carlos, the FICAC East Asian Committee chairman tasked with organizing the 2010 East Asia Conference in Manila.

Emcee Johnny Litton presided over the ceremonies, where the high point showed esteemed Consular Corps outgoing Dean Hidenobu Sobashima, Japan Consul General and Minister-Deputy Chief of Mission, delivering his valedictory remarks as he thanked the Executive and Advisory Boards, all Committee Chairmen and Members for their support in Corps Activities during the year.

Guatemala Honorary Consul Amelia R. Ablaza, Corps Vice Dean, then delivered her acceptance remarks as incoming Dean of the Corps for 2010 and presented outgoing Dean Sobashima with a Testimonial Award for leadership of the Corps in 2009.  

The already-festive evening was spiced up by the superb array of prizes raffled off to guests; much-coveted treats included airline tickets, hotel and tour packages, and Blackberry handsets from Globe Platinum, awarded by Globe President Ernest Cu. With everyone fashionably garbed in their best black-tie party wear, guests sipped fine wine and liquor, enjoyed a sumptuous dinner, and danced the night away to music by the Behind Closed Doors band.