Transitions

Wasn’t it the Greek philosopher Heraclitus who observed, "The only permanent thing is change"? Seasons change, careers change (through awards, promotions, and yes, demotions!), hair styles change (even Gary V., his hair standing on end, looks as though he’s had an electric shock), visitors come and go.

Visiting actress Danielle Cormack, female lead of the New Zealand film "The Price of Milk", was recently welcomed at a most delightful cocktail reception by Ambassador Terry and Janet Baker. As we exchanged small talk at the embassy residence, I quickly "complained" that New Zealanders and Australians seem to speak their own kind of unintelligible English. For instance, their "I came to die" means "I came today."

My complaint having set off Ms. Cormack’s memory cells working, she remembered one Polish boy who migrated to NZ without speaking a word of English. The youngster told his new schoolmates that his father, named Guy (as in Guy de Maupassant) was retired. Next day, his classmates took him for the son of a gay who was retarded.

The life and career of F. Miguel H. Bernad, SJ, eminent historian, biographer, Shakespearean scholar and STAR columnist, was enhanced even more by his ingreso (admission) as a member to the Academia Filipina de la Lengua Española at ceremonies held in the Ateneo Professionals Schools in Makati. The Academia Filipina, founded in 1924, is the local counterpart of the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language in Madrid.

From Chilé, Ambassador Ma. Consuelo Puyat-Reyes informs me that her close friend and confrere, Thai Ambassador Busba Bunnag, was honored by the Asian Institute of the University of Sto. Tomas in Santiago, Chilé (which Mrs. Reyes heads), with an honorary life membership. After the rites, a "despedida" luncheon was tendered for Mrs. Bunnag, she having ended her tour of duty in Chilé. Ambassadors from Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and the UST board of trustees were in attendance.

Where to welcome the New Year perplexed would-be revellers because enticing invitations came from all the five-star hotels: the Mandarin Oriental, the Inter-Continental Manila, both the Shangri-La hotels, the Heritage, the Westin Philippine Plaza.

The first report came from the Pen. The New Year was greeted in high style at the grandly festive ballroom by sundry personalities and families. Among these were Jose and Vicky Zubiri, ‘Spice Boy’ Congressman Miguel Zubiri, the Yuchengcos, Lopezes, Arroyos, Tuasons, Marivic Rufino and husband Paeng Buenaventura, Pen GM David Batchelor, and F&B Director Larry Cowle, Netherlands Ambassador Theo and Kessara Arnold and scores more who filled not only the ballroom but also the Old Manila, Mi Piace, Spices and Nielsen’s restaurants.

Buffet dinner at The Lobby had fresh shucked oysters, marinated mussels, pigeon quail and foie gras terrine, asparagus salad with walnuts and goat’s cheese, confit with sauteed mushrooms, tandoori roast chicken, Thai crispy catfish with green mango and peanuts.

These were only some of the appetizers!