Bayanihan regales Dick Cheney, UN dignitaries

US Vice President Dick Cheney watched the Philippines’ renowned Bayanihan dancers regale some 200 guests, mostly diplomats, at the UN auditorium in New York City last June 12 to mark the 104th anniversary of Philippine independence.

The Philippine mission to the UN headed by Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco organized the much talked about event.

The Bayanihan, headed by former Ambassador Helena Benitez, was in New York on the invitation of Ambassador Yuchengco, Philippine permanent representative to the UN and chair of the Bayanihan board.

Among the distinguished guests were Cheney and his wife, UN ambassadors from various countries, and prominent New York businessmen.

The Bayanihan program consisted of five suites. The first, entitled Birds of Bright Plummage, depicted life in the Cordillera mountains among the people who built the famous rice terraces 2,000 years ago. The dances included Banga/Salidsid and Banawol.

The second consisted of three dances collectively entitled Recuerdos de Intramuros– Pasadoble, Señoritas and Mantones de Seda.

The third, titled The Voyage for Love and Peace, won the Gold Temple Award and the Absolute Gold Award for excellence in dance, music and production among 22 participating countries during the 57th Sagra del Mandorio in Flore and the 47th International Folklore Festival in Agrigento, Sicily last February. The featured dances were Kuntao, Kazilimut, Vinta and Singkil.

The fourth suite featured Dugso, Bagobo, Binaylan and Tiboli, dances that breathed new life, meaning and feelings into ancient rituals and traditions in the highlands of Mindanao and Sulu.

The finale entitled People Under the Sun portrayed the sunny and friendly nature of Filipino country folk as depicted in the dance numbers, Harana, Pandanggo sa Ilaw–Wasiwas, Toll and Harvest, Sa Kabukiran, Maglalatik, Bangko and the immortal Tinikling.

Last May, Ambassador Yuchengco also hosted a dinner-piano concert at his residence featuring well-known pianists Nena del Rosario-Villanueva and Bonny Armacost, wife of former US Ambassador to the Philippines Michael Armacost.

A Filipino soprano, Margarita Gomez, rendered a few songs during the concert.

Some 20 UN ambassadors and their spouses attended the event, among them Mr. and Mrs. Prescott Bush; Ambassador and Mrs. Wang Ying Fan of the People’s Republic of China; Ambassador and Mrs. Nicholas Platt; and International Insurance Society president Patrick Kenny and Mrs. Kenny.

The ambassadors of Portugal, Netherlands, Spain, Singapore and Brunei, along with their spouses, were also in attendance.

A dream in the making

Young father Walt Disney wanted to take his children to the perfect theme park with all the exciting rides and amusement places imaginable. When he couldn’t find one, he built one himself. Many people doubted his vision and commitment to making his dream a reality. Now, decades later, Disneyworld is one of the world’s favorite tourist attractions with millions of people visiting it every year.

What’s the lesson there? Dare to dream the impossible and work at making those dreams come true. A group of developers from the Yats Group of Companies are doing just that with Clearwater Country Club Resort, a dream that is fast becoming a reality.

Can you imagine fishing or boating in a lake here in the Philippines? Can you picture yourself living in a tent with air-conditioning, a TV set and Internet connection? In time you won’t just imagine it–your family will get to do that.

Clearwater Country Club Resort is located in the industrial hub that is the Clark Special Economic Zone. Since the resort’s main thrust is for members to experience the American outdoors, the club is aptly located in a former US military facility. The lodges are similar to American cabins. There are man-made lakes to go boating and fishing in, a Friendship Pool where young people can meet new friends, fine white sand where they can play beach volleyball and set up a bonfire at night. Those who want peace and quiet to heal and rejuvenate have a place to go, too. There are sanctuaries and verdant spots where anyone can recharge.

Health and fitness buffs won’t have to miss a day of exercise because there will be a gym here, as well as a spa for the beauty-conscious.

Guests here will also enjoy burgers and fries along with other American delights in American-sized servings.

But it won’t be just the clear waters that will attract potential members to this exclusive club. The main reason why the Hong Kong-based Yats Group decided to invest here is the warmth and hospitality of Filipinos.

Dreams can indeed become a reality. Like Walt Disney, all it takes is a spark and passion to create things or places people will enjoy.