Two ‘Firsts’

The first reception of Ambassador Paul and Carolyn Dimond was expectedly the grandest ever, marking as it did H.M. Queen Elizabeth’s jubilee. On the sprawling lawn, a throng assembled under the seven white tents over which flew buntings and balloons bearing the jubilee colors of gold and purple. Highlights of the Queen’s reign were being shown on film while youngsters were mildly complaining in levity, "Why not the World Cup instead?"

The festive mood was almost palpable as guests helped themselves to hot and cold canapés, roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, jubilee chicken curry, pancakes with fruit fillings and campotes and sweets–all expertly prepared by the Inter-Con chef.

Among those in the motley crowd were ranking government officials, diplomats, heads of British firms, e.g. Shell’s Jeremy Cliff and Unilever’s Howard Belton, tycoons, socialites, academicians, e.g. UST music dean and celebrated pianist Raul Sunico, head mistress of the British School Helen Kinsey (Mrs. Stewart Whiteman).

Of the Queen’s loyal subjects I’d like to single out the lovely couple John and Ann Hawkins whom I see year after year on the same occasion. How could the newly arrived Dimonds possibly remember the names and faces of over 300 guests, most of whom they were seeing for the first time?

The newly-arrived French Ambassador Renee Veyret was probably having the same problem at the opening of "French Spring in Manila", her first reception, likewise, at which she welcomed some 300 guests at the Mandarin Oriental ballroom. Assisting her were Cultural Counselor Franck Hebert (who was too busy to pose for pictures), Cultural Attaché Loic Daniel, Press Attaché Benedicte Meyssan, Alliance Francaise head Philippe Normand, deputy Philippe Bousquet, Le Club, former heads among them Philippe Gauthier and scores of Francophiles.

The best French wines complemented superb cocktail fare–both of which were instantly replenished after the lustily applauded recital of the brilliant duo Marie-Joseph Jude and Emmanuel Strosser.