Refrains

Inevitably, ambassadors say the old refrain, "Our stay was marvelous while it lasted; do visit us at our new place." Netherlands Ambassador Theo and Kessara Arnold hosted a huge reception at the Inter-Con ballroom to celebrate Queen’s Day and also to bid their friends a fond adieu.

During their four-year tenure, they engaged in multifarious activities; e.g., presenting performing artists, exhibiting paintings (Mondrian’s or Mr. Arnold’s own), or cutting ribbons as the ambassador did to open Corvelli’s exhibition of fine furniture. The beautiful, statuesque, vivacious Kessara engaged in charity work in Tondo and elsewhere. Not to be outdone by her husband, she took up easel and brush. The outcome? Her painting of chirping birds was the first to be bought at Narda Camacho’s benefit-exhibition of paintings by ambassadors’ wives or women ambassadors at the DBP.

I’ve nearly lost count of the number of concerts German Ambassador Herbert and Micheline Jess have held at their residence. But audience refrain is always the same: "We had a wonderful evening!"

At Swiss Ambassador Lise Favre’s farewell reception for Deputy-Consul General Peter Casaulta and his genteel wife Ursula, the charming hostess discovered how many friends her honorees and she herself had made here. For quite a while, Mr. Casaulta held the fort bravely after the Baumanns had gone and the large gathering was a reward for his dedication. It included Ambassadors Herbert and Michelline Jess, Ulf and Lena Hakansson, Vince Carlos, Bambi Harper, Beth Romulo, AF’s Philippe Bosquet, US First Secretary Richard and Mrs. Nelson, and Dr. and Mrs. Robert Cullen.

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"French Spring in Manila" being on its fifth year, its resounding success has become a familiar refrain. French and Filipino artists interacted to give meaning to the theme "cultural diversity", thus broadening the horizon, enlarging the vision and enriching the lives of its audiences. Constituting the dynamo of energy behind the overwhelming response to "French Spring" were Ambassador Renée Veyret, Counselor Franck Hebert, Press Attaché Benedicte Meysson, PRO Martin Macalintal, AF Director Philippe Normand and Deputy Philippe Bosquet. Vive la France!