The Mandarin goes Swiss

“Life is a wave, which no two consecutive moments of its existence is composed of the same particles.”  — John Tyndall

To celebrate the diverse culture of Switzerland on its 179th National Day, a Swiss festival was recently held at the Mandarin Oriental, Manila. Led by its dapper GM Mark Bradford, who happens to be half-Swiss, the hotel was filled with all-authentic trimmings in different colors of Switzerland’s cantons that complemented the Swiss dishes prepared by guest chef Thomas Wenger.

Among those seen at the festive event were Switzerland Ambassador Ivo Sieber with wife Gracita Tolentino, Swiss International Airline country manager Paul Schenk, regional director Markus Schmid, Netherlands Ambassador Robert Brinks, European Union Delegation Ambassador Alistair MacDonald, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for policy Erlinda Basilio, Embassy of Mexico chargé d’ affaires Jose Oramas Cadena, Monaco Consul General Fortune Ledesma, Guatemala Consul Mellie Ablaza, Angola Consul Helen Ong, Mongolia Consul Tony Rufino, Cote D’Ivore Consul General Vince Carlos, Japan Airlines’ Toshiro and Mae Morita and artist and philanthropist Marivic Rufino.

Happy National Day to Switzerland!

Uniting for a better and brighter Mindanao

The highly-anticipated charity ball regarded as a ‘healing ball for nation building’ will be led by GK Hope Ball chairman Beliz Balkir-Crook, visionary GK founder and GK Hope Ball honorary chairman Tony Meloto and GK Hope Ball vice-chairman Christine Cunanan.

Key personalities from politics, business, social welfare and art will gather for a historical project of the Gawad Kalinga (GK) — the very first GK Hope Ball, which envisions to help communities in Sulu, Mindanao. Spearheaded by the compassionate GK Hope Ball chairman Beliz Balkir-Crook, the black-tie ball will be held at the Peninsula Manila on Oct. 8. It will serve as the anchor gala event for GK’s Annual Expo from Oct. 8 to 10 and also the venue for the launch of the new Philippine National Anthem video. Partners for the event include The Peninsula Manila, Travelife magazine and Rustan’s. See you there!

The Philippines welcomes US Ambassador Thomas

The newly-appointed US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. (left) was recently welcomed with a grand cocktail reception at the Makati Shangri-La. Among the leaders of the diplomatic and business sectors seen at the gathering were Consul Betty Chua and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Ambassador Francis Chua.

Welcome to the Philippines, Ambassador Thomas!

Greetings

Happy birthday to our celebrators today, George Yang, Ding Marcelo and Marge Francia.

Advance birthday greetings to Letty Jimenez Magsanoc, Dr. Amelou Benitez Reyes, Pam Litton, Consul Mina Gabor, Old Asia’s Pachot Mapa, Sonia Mathay and Sen. Bongbong Marcos, Sept. 13; former Sen. Santanina Rasul, Sept. 14; Marietta Santos and Marnee Santiago Litton, Sept. 15; FURNitalia managing director Florence Ko, golfer Bolo Tuason and Irene Marcos-Araneta. Sept. 16; singer and composer Aiza Seguerra, Toti Fernandez and People Asia’s Beth Mendoza, Sept. 17; Chiquita Trapaga, Sept.18.

So, how was your week?

(For comments or inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com)