2 everlasting homages to Cory
Two remarkable tributes in observance of the fifth death anniversary of the late President Corazon Aquino were held at Tuesday’s Bulong Pulungan sa Sofitel. The first was the launch of special scented stamps and souvenir sheets featuring the Republic’s 11th president’s floral paintings.
The stamps are faithful miniature reproductions of paintings which Cory had given to her close friends. She had taken private painting lessons after she left Malacanang. Her works were first exhibited at the Manila Hotel sometime ago, each piece borrowed from private collections, with the assurance given to collectors of their being cared for with TLC — for they were without a doubt priceless pieces.
Collectors were asked to say something about their friendship with the late “icon of democracy,” as Cory was called. Dr. Chito Sobrepena, representing Metrobank president George Ty and his wife, said Cory gave the couple artworks; as Metrobank Advisers Board chair, she never missed attending a meeting, and “her service to people remained undiminished till her death.”
Mon Isberto, representing Manny V. Pangilinan of PLDT and Smart, said of the two paintings on rosaries and roses given his boss, as expressing Cory’s being “a quiet source of strength.”
The Philippine STAR president and CEO, Miguel Go-Belmonte, spoke of Cory, ninang at his and Millette’s wedding, giving them a painting of three pots of flowers. He said his mom and Cory had never met before Sen. Ninoy Aquino’s death. Betty’s daughter Joy (now vice-mayor of Quezon City) was a classmate of Kris Aquino at the Poveda (an exclusive girls school); when Betty learned Joy and Kris were going to Ninoy’s wake, she wrote a note which Joy handed to Kris and which Kris handed to Cory. The note, bearing Betty’s sincerest sympathies, led to an everlasting friendship between the two icons. The red and blue colors of the STAR’s logo, Miguel said, were Betty’s expression of support for Cory’s administration.
Philippine Export Zone Authority Director General Lilia de Lima, recipient of Cory’s painting of flowers engraved on a PhilPost stamp, said she will never forget the late president. Cory convinced her, after much persuasion, to take up painting with her group. Lilia has now been bitten by the painting bug. “Look at what you did to me; I am awake at 2:30 in the morning, washing my paint brushes,” she told Cory.
Other closest people in Cory’s circles were asked by forever Cory’s spokesperson Deedee Siytangco (who organized the Bulong Pulungan stamp-launching project and the exhibit of Cory’s paintings at the Manila Hotel) to say their pieces: PhilPost chairman Cesar N. Sarino, Margie Juico, Philip Juico, Associate Justice Adolf Azcuna, former NEDA director-general Dondon Paderanga, and Elfren Cruz.
Enrique V. Tagle, PhilPost Business Lines manager, said the stamps will be sold at all PhilPost offices beginning tomorrow.
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And what was the second important event at Bulong Pulungan?
It was the announcement of the availability of the August 2014 issue of People Asia. It is without a doubt the flagship issue of the bi-monthly magazine of Stargate Media Corp. It’s a fascinating volume totally devoted to the late President Corazon Aquino’s life, her childhood, her growing up years (pictures show her so pretty), her family (parents and siblings), her romance, her children and friends. Many of the pictures have been unpublished and are owned by Cory’s relatives.
Congratulations, editor Joanne Ramirez, for this outstanding project, and for showing in all your write-ups on Cory, how you truly adored her.
The book is available at all National Bookstores.
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We Pinoys have reason to be proud again.
Recently, our very own Ateneo Chamber Singers won two championship choral competitions in Europe. First it won the 2014 World Choir competition held in Latvia under the sacred music acapella category. Then the grand prize in the 60th world competition in Torrevieja, Spain, for habanera and polyphony.
The Ateneo Chamber Singers has been led and conducted by Prof. Jonathan Velasco for a decade now. It was formed from the graduates of the Ateneo Glee Club in 2001, and since then has been competing in various choral competitions in European countries, including Germany, France, Ireland, Slovnia, Spain and Hungary.
Kudos to Professor Velasco and the choral team, and for bringing us another honor.
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“Massive” is the word that describes the ongoing transformation and rebranding efforts to bring back, and even present better, the “grand dame” image of Manila Hotel.
Dr. Enrique Yap, director and vice president of the hotel, is at the helm of the plan that covers structures, services, staff orientation, even the employees’ uniforms, amenities, conveniences, cuisines and menus — all geared to rebrand the Manila Hotel as the Luxury Heritage Resort Hotel.
Working alongside the personable Yap are architect Paulo Alcazaren and cultural activist Carlos Celdran, the three engaged in dialogues on upgrading facilities and image enhancement without radically altering the hotel’s original design.
The enhancement is to be experienced everywhere. The grand entrance to the new experience starts at the soon-to-be-redesigned porte-cochere, the traditional covered driveway to be emblazoned with the name, Manila Hotel.
The Old World splendor of the lobby is revived, retaining chandeliers, changing of furniture sitting on original marble floors, and hardwood accents.
Electronic efficiency and novel comforts of the 21st century are to introduced from bedrooms to bathrooms. The Presidential suite, occupied by the legendary Gen. Douglas McArthur, will be enhanced, overlooking Manila Bay and the famous Manila sunset.
The function rooms and ballrooms will be more inviting. Fiesta Pavilion will expand to accommodate from 200 to 2,000 guests.
Swim and exercise, health and fitness equipment, and a spa will be there for guests who want to relax.
Dr. Yap, innovative planner, is pleased to welcome guests to his vision of a new Manila Hotel at One Rizal Park, to the Luxury Heritage Resort Hotel.
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Already an exciting harbinger of the new Manila Hotel image is Café Ilang Ilang which plays host to “A Taste of Spain,” every Thursday for those wanting a flavor-filled voyage of remembrance and discovery.
Chef Ainer Ebue is the culinary maestro who conducts a symphony of dishes beginning with the Sopa de Ajo, whether garlic broth with poached quail egg or the classic gazpacho de sandia. The maritime mastery of Spain comes alive in the exotic pulpo de gallega (cold octopus salad with potatoes) or the ensalada de marisco, a mixed seafood salad.
The tapas are a must: the morcilla (blood sausage), gambas al ajillo and empanadillas.
Chef Ebue presents with flourish the main attractions: the paella, either al la Valenciana or negra; the txangguro, a Basque-style crab casserole; and the cordero asado a la Castellano, a roast herbed rack of lamb. Dessert choices are the olive oil chocolate ice cream with sea salt, or the churros and melocotones al vino con salsa de yogurt, a marvelous concoction of peaches poached in red wine.
A Young Chef in the Philippines awardee, chef Ebue cooked up his experience with stints at such global playgrounds as M/Y Monsoon Kuredo Resort in the Maldives, the exclusive Amanpulo and the Apulit Island Resort at El Nido, both in Palawan, before moving on to Conti’s Pastry Shop and Restaurant in Makati. He was also part of the consulting operations team of Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club in Nasugbu, Batangas before joining the Manila Hotel.
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