The Chouraqui Carousel

The incredible diplomat Gilles Chouraqui leaves for Strasbourg to become France’s permanent representative to the Council of Europe. But long before he does, his legions of friends and admirers will already have dubbed him "the incredible host".

During the run of each "French Spring in Manila", which cultural festival he initiated, he hosted countless welcome receptions not only for the visiting artists but also for the Filipino cognoscenti, art lovers and patrons who felt privileged to attend previews of the outstanding performances. Ambassador Chouraqui likewise hosted cocktail parties attendant to the conferment of awards on several Filipino cultural achievers. At one dinner for "francophones", one guest humorously remarked, "The hospitable ambassador has invited me so often, I feel like a non-paying boarder".

Frequently, the affairs were simply called "get-togethers"; at soirees, guests listened to eminent pianists, violinists, flutists, cellists, etc.

So genuinely liked is Mr. Chouraqui that almost to the day of his departure–he leaves this Sunday–farewell dinners were being hosted in his honor by Frankie and Tessie Jose, Tony and Mita Rufino, Italian Ambassador Umberto and Clara Colesanti, and Mandarin Oriental GM Helmut Gaisberger and Rose Marie J. Arenas.

At the Colesantis’ splendid sit-down dinner, George Sison and his sister Marla Cimmi (who’s married to an Italian), Nedy Tantoco, the Rufinos, Patrick Nepomuceno, Beth Day Romulo, Arturo and Tessie Luz and this chronicler were regaled by Mr. Colesanti, his wife Clara and Spanish Ambassador Tomas Rodriguez-Pantoja. Their conversation reached a hilarious point when, with their Latin temperament enlivening their discussion (which often sounded like a three-cornered debate), Mrs. Colesanti in the spirit of fun argued and contradicted her husband–to the hearty laughter of all present. Guest of honor Chouraqui sat listening quietly, with an enigmatic smile on his face, doubtless reserving his brilliant debating skill for the Council of Europe conferences in its august halls.

At any rate, each and everyone who has ridden on the Chouraqui Carousel will profoundly miss the amiable, unassuming, incredible host.