The closely-knit Friday Ballroom Group, as they call themselves, includes the wives of the different ambassadors and members of the All Nations Women’s Group. It was a lively night of songs, especially when Madame Saku surprised everyone with her beautiful rendition of Leron Leron Sinta and Mahal Kita as Nori Ongsiako played her accordion.
The merienda cena catered by Skyline included hearty servings of taquitos, fettuccini, empanaditas, quiche lorraine and yummy desserts of crepes, ice cream cakes and chocolate balls.
While Madame Gul was showered with warmth by her new friends, Saku was a bit teary-eyed because she has come to love her Filipino pals. She plans to organize a Sri Lankan tour for them as soon as possible.
Present in the spirited celebration were the wives of the different ambassadors: Ulrike da Silva of Portugal, Grace Inije of Nigeria, Kessara Arnold of the Netherlands, Nan Phau of Myanmar, Consul Evie Costa and many others. Cora’s political clan came all the way from La Union, and only son Noel made his mother proud of entertaining all of Cora’s guests with an affectionate smile.
Happy birthday, Cora!
Mandarin Oriental Welcomes The Year Of The Goat |
The hotel’s festivities, hailed as the biggest lunar new year welcome outside of Binondo, kicked off with a lucky motorcade led by Mandarin Oriental general manager Helmut Gaisberger, who looked royally Chinese replete with theatrical makeup, and esteemed guests Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and Representative of the 1st District of Makati, Teddy Locsin Jr., who wore a Shanghai Tang Chinese jacket and Jardine Group chairman Nonoy Colayco.
The motorcade, which started and culminated at the hotel, subscribed to an auspicious route mapped out by master Chau. Presided by three sturdy goats as ceremonial vanguards, the motorcade led by an impressive Chinese float, cut a figure eight as it traversed the main thoroughfares of Makati Avenue, Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas.
"It makes us proud that, having begun this traditional celebration in 1995, we have contributed towards making the City of Makati the biggest venue for Chinese New Year celebration outside of Binondo," said Gaisberger when he addressed the audience of illustrious people from government and business, top media honchos, showbiz denizens and Manila’s trendy set.
"The Year of the Yin Water Goat, holds luck and foreboding in equal measure. But the ability to change our fortunes and twist the situation to our advantage is within us, to some extent. The key is in finding our element and exploiting what little positive energy we can generate from that area in our lives," master Chau admonished his audience.
The Year of the Goat, which master Chau predicts to be fraught with many challenges and conflicts, could not have been welcomed with more pomp and circumstance as it was that night; and, imbibing the positive energy from the huge crowd that amassed at the grounds of Mandarin Oriental, the revelers’ luck could very well have begun on that auspicious midnight!