But it was a sit-down dinner and organizer Ryan Calmante had a problem where to sit me. The Philippine STAR anniversary last July at least was a cocktail party and I was able to move around the ballroom freely – saying hello at one point to former President Fidel Ramos like we were long-lost friends. (He was probably asking himself after I left: Who the hell is this person?) I ended up with some very friendly people from the ad agencies who chatted with me all night long.
The People Asia event, however, had to be a sit-down affair because it was basically an awards presentation and everyone’s attention had to be on stage. But then, again, whom do I sit with? You see, I can be very shy with people I am not familiar with.
Unknown to many, I don’t actually go to the Philippine STAR office because my editor Ricky Lo spoils me to the point I don’t even have to brave Manila’s traffic to get my paycheck. As a result, I was never able to get acquainted with the hardworking men and women of this newspaper.
So why don’t I just sit you with Ricky Lo? That was Ryan Calmante making the suggestion. Perfect! That solves the problem.
I was all set to go to the People Asia event until I found out that assistant entertainment editor Maridol Bismark had to fly to Singapore for an interview and Ricky Lo had to be in the office (that was supposed to be his day-off) to mind the store.
And so I stayed home that night and had my usual boring dinner – thinking of the exciting event I was missing that very moment. I also had stray thoughts about the people in the past I would have wanted to be my seatmate at a formal dinner party like that one hosted by People Asia Magazine. Here they are, these great people from the past:
Michelangelo – Who wouldn’t want to be seated beside this greatest figure in the history of art? Waiting for the next course perhaps he’d get restless and start doodling on paper napkins and you bet all that would end up in the pocket of my coat – ready to be framed and displayed at my house.
Josephine Bracken – I’ve always been fascinated with this woman, who figured prominently in the life of our National Hero Jose Rizal. In college, I even wrote a full account of her life (culled from different sources) in Spanish and my professor was so impressed and wondered where I got all that inspiration. In one early trip to Hong Kong, I even made an unsuccessful attempt to check out her grave at the Happy Valley Cemetery where her remains are supposed to be interred. I haven’t given up on this quest. And while I can hardly compose a sentence in Spanish today, my fascination for Josephine Bracken is still there.
Nick Joaquin – Since he died only a couple of years ago, I had all the chance in the world to meet him, except that I thought he was going to live forever. One time I was actually this close to presenting myself to him. It was during the opening night of Larawan – the Musical at the main theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. During the intermission, I was at the lobby when I saw him come out of the restroom where he presumably did his bathroom chores and the last thing I wanted to do was shake his hand. But I want to kick myself in the head now for passing up that chance. He still remains my all-time favorite author.
Nida Blanca – I’ve met her many times. My only regret is that I never got to sit down with her and write her life story – the way I did with other movie queens like Gloria Romero, Susan Roces and even Alicia Vergel. Granting that I’d have the chance to sit down beside her at a formal affair, obviously the first thing I’d ask her is who did it? The second thing I’ll tell her: I’d compliment her for having raised a wonderful daughter in Kay Torres.
Dr. Jose Perez – Although I’m very close to the Vera Perezes, I never had the chance to meet this great star-builder. Whatever I know of him now I only learned through stories passed on to me by eldest daughter Marichu Vera Perez Maceda. What do I ask him presuming I’d have the chance to sit beside him at dinner today? Surely, I’d ask him to point out the budding stars with great potentials to become superstars, then get co-investors and start producing movies starring those talents selected by Dr. Perez. Oh, I’ll finally get rich!
Marilyn Monroe – I’ll ask her if she realizes the fact that she has become an even bigger star – a legend – after her death.
John F. Kennedy – I will surely ask him about the Kennedy curse, the people responsible for those assassinations. Maybe I can also ask him about Marilyn. But he might dump the whole basket of dinner rolls on me.
Alexander Graham Bell – He’d probably be curious about the gadget I’m toying with (my cell phone) and he’d surely be amazed to discover that it is the grandchild of his invention – the telephone.
Manuel L. Quezon – The first question I’ll ask him for sure is if he’d still prefer to have this country run like hell by Filipinos – considering that we’ve now sunk even beyond the depths of hell.
Adam and Eve – I’m curious how they can fashion those fig leaves into formal wear – given the fact that these fancy dinners have dress codes.