In Retrospect

At the celebration of Austria’s National Day, Ambassador Christian Krepela, speaking on the podium with his regal, statuesque wife Irmgard standing nearby, enumerated in retrospect the major events which involved Austria this year: the participation of a vocal ensemble from Graz in the International Bamboo Organ Festival, the all-Strauss musicale at the Mandarin Oriental, and the Vienna Boys’ Choir concert. Mr. Krepela was justifiably proud of Austria’s significant contribution to our musical life.

Before the exchange of toasts, guests kept coming in a continuous stream. The usual "diligent" witnesses at National Day celebrations were early arrivals: Consuls Fortune Ledesma and Evie Costa, Letty Syquia, Narda Camacho, Nena Casimiro, Tessie Luz–all of whom brightened up and showed genuine pleasure at seeing the handsome, affable banker Ramon Sy.

When Saudi Arabia Ambassador Saleh D. Mohammad Al-Ghamdi arrived, I recalled, in retrospect, that that was the first time I ever saw him wearing a barong. How elegant he looked! In his modest, unassuming manner, the amiable Mr. Al-Ghamdi kept "hiding" behind Ambassador Enrique Syquia during the speeches.

Did you know that the Saudi Arabia ambassador has attended several diplomatic and international symposia in Austria and Switzerland? Having served in Pakistan and Turkey, he presumably knows the newly arrived, towering Turkish ambassador Tanju Sumer.

On seeing the beautiful Israeli Ambassador Irit Ben-Abba, I was tempted to ask her about the possibility of the Israeli Philharmonic performing in Manila, having recalled the recent visit of the NY Philharmonic. After all, Israel is so much closer than New York. Besides, despite the long-beleaguered state Israel has been in its brave and valiant people have always given priority to the arts. Not too long ago, an Israeli theater personality lectured and conducted workshops at the CCP.

As I left, I wove my way through a large gathering–indeed much larger than at last year’s observation of National Day. This could only mean Ambassador and Mrs. Krepela have widened their sphere of influence and made their charming presence increasingly felt since they arrived.