‘French Leave’ Isn’t French!

Someone authoritatively disclosed to me that a "French leave" isn’t French. For obvious reasons, I won’t say which country unfairly originated the term. Its etymology is rather complex but my informant assures me, "French leave" isn’t French!

At the cocktail-buffet receptions which French Ambassador Gilles Chouraqui tenders, no guest, as far as I know, ever fails to say a proper ‘Thank you’ and ‘Goodbye’ to the genial, incredibly hospitable envoy, particularly after having spent such a delightful evening, not only for the superb cuisine but also for the convivial company of friends and of the host himself. Incidentally, Mr. Chouraqui’s cocktail-buffet affairs seem "endless": e.g., a gathering of friends, a "get-together" of artists and art lovers, a reception for French government scholars, ceremonies for a conferment of an award, etc.

At the most recent gathering, I shared the same table with German Ambassador Herbert Jess (his charming wife Michelline is French), Behn Cervantes, Teddy Benigno and Anton Juan who mischievously kept giving advice to Letty Shahani who is now Malacañang cultural adviser! Among other guests were Fr.. Pedro Galende, Virgie Moreno, Bambi Harper, Ambeth Ocampo, and presumably, each said "Goodbye" and "Thank you" for the fun he/she had.

There is likewise no such thing as a "Canadian leave"; there is, instead, a Canadian leaf– the maple which is on every Canadian flag. This was figuratively held aloft with pride upon the visit of the Montreal dancers whom Ambassador Robert Collette welcomed at cocktails held in the Westin Philippine Plaza.

The dancers kept returning for seconds (dancers are always hungry for the energy they expend) but besides the sumptuous culinary treat, a mini-concert was performed for them by the internationally-acclaimed UP Singing Ambassadors under Ed Manguiat. How the Montreal visitors danced to the lively, infectious rhythm of Waray-Waray!