Game time with Rizal
I always love the holiday season but at times it gets stressful with lots of socializing that compete for one’s attendance and it usually has the worst traffic of the year.
The most historical event this season was the launch of the Jose Rizal book Sybilla at Ateneo Rockwell, where his descendants gathered. Our National Hero, one of the most beloved in Philippine history, was well-rounded in his numerous accomplishments, from the world of medicine to art, from intellectual to international bon vivant, who eventually gave up his life for our country. Sybilla shows his lighter side; Franciso and Jose Rizal Lopez, the grandsons of Paciano Rizal (Rizal’s only male sibling and older brother), tightly guarded the original manuscript.
The book is unlike any other written by Rizal as it is a game book with questions and answers, oftentimes humorous and even risqué. It would make an ideal present for Filipinos and foreigners alike.
The highlight of the book display was the 1891 Juan Luna portrait of Jose Rizal, which was lent by a collector who wished to remain anonymous but wanted to share this historical artwork for the evening. It was a fitting way to pay tribute to a man who is still remembered 150 years after his birth with gratitude and honor for the role he played in the fight for our independence. How I wish our present-day politicians would learn a thing or two from this inspiring figure to lead our country forward instead of finger-pointing to no avail.
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The most fun was Smart Infinity’s launch for the latest iPhone 4S at the Rockwell Power Plant Mall. It was a veritable playground from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. with a host of happenings in all of the mall’s floors, from free movies, Starbucks coffee, to food galore from various outlets and a cool concert in the lower court featuring well-known artists Jermain Dupri and Lupe Fiasco. The launch was just like a New Year’s party that had happy faces and music filling the mall as we chilled out in the Infinity lounge with the very capable Julie Carceller. My husband RJ and I were one of the lucky ones to get the first batch of the coveted iPhone 4S that evening with the super-efficient Infinity team assisting us every step of the way. For someone low-tech like myself, I am looking forward to using this technical marvel with ease.
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A relaxing dinner-dance was hosted by gentle lady Nene Chan for her two diplomat friends: US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas and South African Ambassador Agnes Nyamande-Pitso. Since Nene’s family is very musical, the evening ended with the Chans singing to the guests’ delight, including her musical-genius brother Joe Mari Chan with his children Jo, Michael, Franco and Liza, as well as the hostess herself.
Both ambassadors have visited Nene’s 1MealProgram in Iloilo, which is a charitable organization that improves public school facilities, creates feeding programs for the underprivileged and supports scholars.
The program aims to eventually help all the 1,100 public schools of the province. To find out more about the program, visit www.facebook.com/1meal.
