It was a bittersweet evening as close friends of Kum Hoong Kong, manager extraordinaire of Silk Air in Cebu, gathered at the seductive poolside of Marco Polo Plaza Hotel to bid Kum a fare thee well. Hosted by the ever-affable Hans Hauri, General Manager of Marco Polo, a great buffet spread and wines galore were prepared by the hotel to make the pain of parting more bearable (and perhaps, to make Kum realize just how much he was going to miss Cebu.)
In the very short couple of years that Kum has called Cebu his home, the soft-spoken but sharply intellectual Kum has endeared himself to the travel-going public and the local industry with his easy accessibility, generosity and open nature. Kum was not only able to bridge friendships among the locals, but he also built a network of close-knit ties with the expat community. Kum successfully established himself as a true ambassador of goodwill, and came to represent the best example of what a Singaporean is like. Indeed, it’s going to be a very large pair of shoes for his successor to fulfill, as Kum generated quite a big impact in this little island.
Kum will hie off to Shenzhen, while his successor, Mr. Ajish Morris, will arrive this April to assume the vacant post. Kum hopes to be able to come visit Cebu every so often, and touch base with his friends, including friendly industry mate Eddie Kong from Cathay Pacific (also due to leave within a year’s time) and hotel, restaurant and travel industry execs like fashion-savvy Waterfront General Manager Marco Protacio and successful trader Abon Cimafranca.
The dashing Javi Sala and the uber-competent Lynn Romero were at hand to ensure the evening went off without a hitch, and the efficient staff of Marco Polo cushioned everyone’s separation angst. Amidst soft candles and sentimental music from a female vocalist, gleaming platters of sushi, sea skewers, and prime roast beef had been laid out for the guests. Spectacularly fresh garden salad with crisp greens and crunchy pizza accompanied the spread, and calorie-laden sweets completed the evening. Lynn was a big fan of the mango crepes, urging everyone to drizzle butterscotch and chocolate on the deceivingly light dish.
Present to bid goodbye to Kum while partaking of Marco Polo’s feast were The FREEMAN’s Lifestyle Editor Mayen Tan, fresh from her birthday trip and treat to Paris, Kum’s fellow Singaporean Francis Lee of the famous Bridges Salon (and L’Oreal choice pick to boot), and the Taiwanese doctor Oscar Lai Yi Ren. At the end of the evening, the good-natured ribbing, the free-flowing anecdotes and the ringing laughter enabled the friends to bid fond adieus, with enough memories to last until the next time.