‘You shall return’
“The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it.” — Hubert H. Humphrey
It was an intimate birthday dinner that we had recently for my beautiful editor Joanne Rae Ramirez at the elegant Champagne Room of the Manila Hotel. The party, hosted by the country’s only floral architect and style director of the hotel Rachy Cuna, was overflowing with lively conversations.
Czech Ambassador Jana Sediva and your columnist.
The night overflowed, too, with good wine that complemented a sumptuous fare consisting of melt-in-your-mouth grilled black cod and US prime rib roast. Served also were the freshest Caesar salad with bacon bits and crispy croutons; and yummy French onion soup topped with Gruyere cheese. The Baked Alaska provided the sweet ending.
Guests included ad man Ed Ramirez, Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev, Czech Ambassador Jana Sediva, Sen. Sonny Angara and wife Tootsy, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and wife Louie, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and wife Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte and wife Lara, former Antique governor Sally Perez, STAR’s Büm Tenorio Jr. and your columnist.
Birthday celebrator Joanne Rae Ramirez.
“I am honored that you celebrated with me tonight. This is a beautiful celebration of our friendship,” said the grateful celebrator.
Speaking of friendship, Joanne and Rachy share a beautiful friendship that is marked yearly with Rachy giving my lovely boss a birthday party, an endearing tradition that has been observed since 2005.
“Thank you all for coming. And Joanne, you shall return,” Rachy said, using the famous words of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who stayed in Manila Hotel during the war.
The elegant Champagne Room of the Manila Hotel.
With that, the birthday party for Joanne has been set for next year.
Happy birthday, Joanne. Many, many more blessings!
A bellissima evening
(Seated, from left) Joe Rebano, Orly Salientes, your columnist, Palmy Layug and Victor Ngo; (standing, from left) VA and Eni Alba, Inday Salientes, Brenda Ngo, Nini Layug, Judith Tan, Grace Gobing and Jayelles’ Roselle Rebano.
Anumber of individuals often called as the “Bella” group, leaders in their own fields of endeavor, invited your columnist to experience an evening of laughter, friendship and camaraderie.
It was a wonderful evening with brilliant people held at Chef Jessie at Rockwell in Makati City.
Until the next one, ladies and gentlemen!
Greetings
Happy birthday to our celebrator today, Carlos “Linggoy” Araneta.
Advance birthday greetings to Starweek’s Lydia Castillo and Lizzie Atayde, March 27; Co Ban Kiat Hardware Inc. chairman and president Johnny Cobankiat and Betty Preysler, March 28; broadcast journalist Tina Monzon-Palma and Miguel Cerqueda, March 29; Bonifacio Landmark Realty and Development Corp. president Hans Hauri, Veana Fores, Jennifer Peña and Al Perez, March 30.
So, how was your week?
(For comments and inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com.)
