A Fond Farewell, Swiss Day

Music must have been the common bond, German Ambassador Herbert D. Jess being an avid music patron and pianist, Alfred Ching being a music aficionado and father of celebrated composer Jeffrey Ching. Therefore, it was natural, understandable, indeed, inevitable that Mr. Ching and his wife Enny would host a farewell dinner at their elegant residence for Mr. Jess and his wife Michelline.

An epicurean Chinese menu was served to guests at two round tables, with Mr. Jess and Mr. Ching at the first; Mrs. Jess and Mrs. Ching at the second.

Musical artists occupied the latter, and with Jeffrey Ching to my left and PPO conductor Eugene Castillo to my right, you can imagine how "musical" the conversation was. Jeffrey is working on a sonata for cello, clarinet and accordion, and hoping to put a part in it for his bride, Andion Fernandez. Eugene was brimming with ideas for forthcoming concerts.

Nena Villanueva, Andion, Reynaldo Reyes , Ingrid Santamaria, Winnie Ching and her husband Edison Laude chatted animatedly likewise. Guests at the other table included Mrs. Rita Ching Tan, Mr. and Mrs. Francisco Ortigas III, Ramon and Josie Sy, Isabel Wilson and Jaime Laya.

Mr. Ching’s toast alluded to how Mr. Jess had first met Micheline, and details of the romantic story surprised even Mr. Jess while delighting the other listeners. After dinner, Andion sang Mutya ng Pasig and Rossini arias, thus completing a wonderful evening.

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For over thirty minutes, the line leading to the Pen ballroom seemed endless. Ambassador Lise Favre was marking the 713th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation, and the throng signified the esteem and respect she enjoys.

Among those present were Mrs. Marge Tambunting, Heherson and Cecile Alvarez, Narda Camacho, Ambassadors Ruth Pearce, Navrekha Sharma, Christian Tanghe, Christian Krepela, Herbert Jess, Robert Vornis, and Consul Tony Rufino. From media were Belinda Cunanan, Glenn Gale, Frank Evaristo and Vangie Pascual.