Through the years, all that envoys have to do is follow a prescribed formula: cocktails preceding speeches and the exchange of toasts, the playing of the national anthems of the participating countries, more cocktails and buffet fare after the brief ceremonies.
Lately, there have been deviations; instead of sending his undersecretaries, VP-FA Secretary Teofisto Guingona, Jr. has been making his presence felt and his meaningful, substantial speeches heard–to the delight of those present.
Another deviation at Cambodia’s national day celebration was the presence of Mrs. Teofisto Guingona (Ruth) whom I quickly asked: "Do you still sing?" Her beautiful voice used to be admired by concert-goers. A further deviation was the sight of the three-year old son of Mrs. EK (Khov Sang) Sereywath clinging to her as the ambassador was delivering his speech, and later, the sight of the mother carrying her two-year-old daughter (the youngest-ever cocktail guest) for fear she would fret as the evening wore on.
Also a deviation from the pattern was my chatting with newly-arrived Ambassadors Terry Baker (NZ), Christian Krepela (Austria) and Consul Jennifer D. Davis (US). Finally, there was Hans Kasten’s wonderful disclosure that he arrived here in 1946. He added: "I’ve lived here for so long, I’ve become a Filipino by osmosis!" Patterns and their deviations can be most gratifying. Thus, my apologies to Amy Lowell for my having so conveniently distorted her meaning.