Hail and Farewell

Following Peruvian Ambassador Jorge Chavez Soto’s presentation of credentials to President Arroyo, Chargé d’ Affaires and Mrs. Wilbert Haya Enriquez hosted a formal "bienvenida" luncheon in his honor at the embassy residence to mark the aforementioned presentation. Venezuelan Ambassador Milena Santana Ramirez, dean of the Ibero-American Ambassadors Group, gave a few welcome remarks; forthwith, Sr. Chavez table-hopped to make everyone feel at home in turn.

Guests included Ambassador EK Sereywath (Cambodia), and expectedly, Latin-American colleagues Carmen Lynam (Chilé), Carlos Escalona Avila (Panama), Ramon Alonso Medina (Cuba), Enrique Hubbard (Mexico), Joao C. da Silva (Portugal), Claudio Maria Henrique do Conto Lyra (Brazil), and Chargé d’ Affaires Alberto Kan (Argentina); most came with their ladies.

The Peruvian community were also in attendance: Dr. and Mrs. Gabriel Leiva, Karl and Graciella Hohn, Chila Mooney and Sara Laya.

What career diplomat were they welcoming that noon? Sr. Chavez, who has a solid arts-and-humanities orientation, earned a law degree from Peru’s Pontifical University. He was ambassador to Korea and ambassador-consul general to Canada. Earlier, he served in Ecuador and Japan, and was counsellor to Peru’s permanent representative to the UN in N.Y.

An interesting addendum for the ladies: Sr. Chavez is a bachelor.

* * *

As Filipinos say "hello" to Sr. Chavez, they bid British Ambassador Alan S. Collins and his petite wife Anne, a sad goodbye. One inevitably recalls certain events which the likeable couple either tendered or attended; e.g., the huge, lively receptions celebrating the Queen’s birthday at which guests literally occupied every inch of space indoors and outdoors; the cocktails honoring the cast of Miss Saigon–I especially admired Mr. Collins’s "patriotic" tie that evening (see photo); the classic recital by an excellent English pianist of one of the world’s biggest luxury liners. Naturally, he gave listeners the marvelous feeling of being on a Carribean cruise!

Too soon, Anglophiles are saying goodbye to Mr. Collins–an international relations graduate of the London School of Economics who has strengthened UK-RP ties with his avid support of joint activities, particularly those of the Phil-British Society.

Who of its members can forget the refreshing wit he would spring on them when they least expected it? Should aulde acquaintance be forgot?

* * *

Ambassador and Mrs. Ibraham Al-Muhannan celebrated Kuwait’s national day at the Shangri-La Ballroom in Makati; Pakistani Ambassador Hasan and Mme. Sarmad marked Pakistan’s national day with a reception likewise. Japanese Ambassador Yoshihisa and Myriam Ara are tendering a farewell reception at their residence on April 12. We shall miss their outstanding musical presentations and Myriam’s authentic tea ceremonies. Sayonara!