When Chari Bagatsing hosts a get-together with friends, I know for sure it will be something deeper that just the usual ladies’ lunches.
A few years ago, I would meet up with her over lunch and end up attending the same Mass as she would every First Friday. She is a gentle friend but a valiant cancer warrior who would strengthen my spiritual life without her having to preach or remind me of oft-forgotten Biblical verses. No such thing. I’m clingy — I cling to her for my spiritual deliverance. Her faith is so compelling, I can’t help but try to fill up the gaping holes in my own soul.
So when Chari called for a dinner in honor of Edna Lhuillier who was then leaving for Spain to join her husband, designated Ambassador Philippe Lhuillier, it was more interesting with more than a dozen women talking at the same time about life, love, family and the world as we know it now.
It was Chari’s tribute to Edna, “a beautiful and gracious friend I have known for 30 years,” Chari said. “Basically shy, conservative and private, Edna is a very spiritual person. I feel that her priority is to God, family and service to the less privileged. And so is her husband Philippe, a people-oriented diplomat who bonds with OFWs and makes great efforts to look after their welfare. In Philippe’s previous assignment to Italy, she would always extend an invitation for me and my husband (Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing) to visit them, the last one being in Fatima, Portugal.
“Edna is the type of person who takes people for what they are. Her love is unconditional, and she does not expect people to be perfect. She has warmth and compassion, a trait that endears her to people of other nations as well.”
Chari noted that Edna loves to learn about their customs, cultures and cuisines as well. Needless to say, she is a fabulous host. “As my friendship with Edna grew through the years, my fondness for her children grew as well. I could see that they have a little of Philippe’s and Edna’s traits in each of them. Here is a couple always warm and caring, kind and God-centered.
“Distance has not kept us apart,” she continued, “even as Edna was busy attending to their diplomatic duties and caring for her family, and I, too, was busy attending to our political commitments with Amado and caring for our children.
“And after I fell ill some time ago, and medical treatments required me to be in and out of the hospital, I thank God I am now better and stronger. And given the chance to show my friend how happy and touched I am for her genuine friendship all these years,” said Chari.
A toast to Edna was offered by Chari, her daughters Rep. Cristal Bagatsing and Stephanie Bitong, and guests at the dinner: Gemma Cruz-Araneta, cultural activist, who regaled us with charming stories such as her wedding in a little town in Spain so rich in history, and where there were more wedding principals than guests; Sonia Roco, once a most active congressional spouse, whose husband Raul was called “the best president we never had”; Congressman Lucy Torres-Gomez, who works hand-in-hand with husband Mayor Richard Gomez in making Leyte a better place; Shalani Soledad-Romulo, whose civic involvement goes beyond her Valenzuela hometown; Virginia “Bebot” Laurel who is active in church activities in Alabang; Chit Guevara-Monfort who, together with her late husband Narciso Monfort, founded the Prayer Warriors of the Holy Souls; Violet de Borja who supports scholars in Tondo and joins feeding programs; Lucky laÓ Sibal who actively assists Filipino seminarians in San Francisco, USA; Criselda Lontok, an iconic top-selling designer at Rustan’s; and of course, my colleagues at Philippine STAR, columnists Domini Torrevillas (do you know that a gumamela has been named after her?) and Frannie Aguinaldo-Jacinto, a genteel lady who rocks with music icon RJ Jacinto.
Yes, it was a rocking night with these ladies. They’re quite deep, yes, and so down-to-earth they know how to laugh as well. What? A fun night of lively chatter without gossip? It was good for the soul.
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Follow the author on Instagram and Facebook@milletmartinezmananquil. Email her at mmmananquil@philstarmedia.com.