Vin d’Honneur

It was good to start the year feeling proud about the Philippines — from the domestic economy accelerating to Condé Nast declaring the country one of its Top 10 destinations for 2013, to even Janine Tugonon finishing second at the Miss Universe beauty pageant in Las Vegas.

This feeling of a new day dawning on the Philippines was prevalent at the traditional Vin d’Honneur (wine of honor) hosted by President Aquino at Malacañang last Jan. 11.

“2012 was a good year for the Filipino people,” the President said after the ceremonial toast. “We saw economic growth surpass expectations. We witnessed the signing of a peace deal and the restoration of public confidence in our judiciary. 2012 will be a difficult year to match, let alone exceed.”

It was a solemn occasion, but it was radiant. Most of the guests were glowing, the good news written all over their faces. Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez was glowing, for obvious reasons as guests congratulated him for his role in bringing the Philippines back to the radar of the international travel industry.

Philippine Airlines president and COO Ramon Ang was happy to share that starting May or June, PAL will be flying Boeing 777s to the US, despite the Category 2 status that restricts Philippine carriers from upgrading its current fleet of 747s to 777s. Ang told us PAL will “wet-lease” the newer 777s, instead of waiting for the Philippines to be upgraded to Category 1 status.

He also told us the secret to his youthful looks. He believes health is one’s true wealth. “I know when to step on the brakes as far as work is concerned.”

Even the President looked relaxed and, as a colleague from the media pointed out, “was blooming.”

The President told us it was because he had three full days at his old pad in Times Street in Quezon City after Christmas, which he said relaxed him even more than his three days in Baguio.

“Given all that we have achieved in the previous year, I believe we have plenty of reasons to greet 2013 with optimism — that the path we have chosen to tread in the last two and a half years will continue to yield positive results for our nation and our region,” he told dignitaries.

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The Palace was spruced up to reflect this feeling of springtime in January. The solid Quezon table — a narra and kamagong rectangular table given as a gift by pardoned inmates of the Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa to President Manuel L. Quezon — was the focal point of the elegant Reception Hall. In this hall, under the seeming watchful eyes of past presidents whose portraits line the walls, President Aquino received dignitaries to the Vin d’Honneur.

Reportedly used as a private dining table during the past administration, the Quezon table was restored to its original place, upon the request of Quezon’s daughter Nini Quezon-Avanceña.  The table was bedecked in lush green floral arrangements that softened the dark paneled walls of the Hall. From overhead, a myriad of lights from crystal chandeliers from Czechoslovakia trained the spotlight on the table, underneath which the grateful inmates carved their names.

In the Ceremonial Hall, thousands of unclasped sampaguita leis dangled from the giant carved wooden chandeliers from Paete, looking like a chandelier of fresh flowers themselves. Underneath the sampaguita “chandeliers” were round tables with Pinoy hors d’oeuvres from Via Mare — laing on crackers, crab cakes, pan de sal with quesong puti, among others. Instead of chocolates and truffles, pastillas de leche were passed around.

Social Secretary Susan Reyes said she wanted the Filipiniana theme to cascade from the attire to the food and Via Mare’s Glenda Barretto rose to the occasion.

The President relaxed with a glass of Coke after most of the guests had left, sharing a table with some members of his Cabinet and close friends. When friend Ruthy Vera requested him to pose with some ladies as he was nibbling on some canapés, he gamely answered, “OK, iinom muna ako ng Coke.”

(You may e-mail me at joanneraeramirez@yahoo.com.)