Living and socializing in the Philippines is always full of hellos and goodbyes. With summer time ending abroad, it was time to see a number of familiar and new faces.
US Ambassador Harry Thomas hosted a dinner in his art-filled Forbes Park residence in honor of deputy chief of mission Brian Goldbeck who just arrived in the country. It was a friendly affair with a sprinkling of top businessmen, legal luminaries and fun personalities that only this amiable diplomat can mix together. I particularly liked the idea that we started dinner with a group in one table and when it came to dessert we transferred to another table to chat and mingle with the other guests.
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Educator and civic-minded lady Jojo Zabarte celebrated her birthday with those who were near and dear to her with a dinner hosted by her niece Sharon Azanza. Plus, it was an occasion to welcome a couple of friends who were in town — Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Rosario “Cherry” Aguinaldo as well as Paris-based Marge and Gerard Marquis. The delicious Thai dinner served in the Azanza house has kept everyone going back for seconds and thirds. This modern and hip house was designed by Joey Yupangco and has been featured in many of the magazines and periodicals for its innovative look.
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Turning a golden 60 years old with a bang was Solar Entertainment’s Wilson Tieng’s at the Mandarin Hotel with the who’s who in Philippine politics in full attendance. This soft-spoken gentleman had a number of stars and celebrities performing for the evening’s festivities and it was a treat for the guests to see the best musical talents in full swing. Operating more than half a dozen television channels that give us quality entertainment and news, Solar has been known to bring the best in US-based shows and the live coverage of the legendary Manny Paquiao fights. Together with his brothers Wilson and Willy Tieng, low-key and soft-spoken Wilson greeted hundreds of well-wishers non-stop throughout the evening.
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