Diplomats have a ball!

Diplomats are generally known for their conservative outlook, careful language, adherence to protocol and perhaps formal and sometimes aloof manner.

However, once a year in the Philippines, members of the consular and diplomatic community get a chance to cast formalities and protocol aside. They put on their best attire and dancing shoes and get together for pure fellowship and fun in a dinner-dance that caps Manila’s diplomatic calendar under the sponsorship of the Consular Corps of the Philippines.

That was why when the clarion call for the 28th Annual Consular Ball was sounded recently, all roads seemed to lead to the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. Attendance was unprecedented. Over 500 guests trooped in, including not only members of the diplomatic and consular corps but also key government officials, top business leaders, dignitaries, and who’s who in Philippine society.

Speaker Jose de Venecia, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin, Ambassador and Protocol Chief Jose Zaide and their spouses led the government delegation. Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry honorary chairman Miguel Varela and president Sergio Ortiz Luis Jr. (also the Romanian honorary consul) were joined by members of foreign trade councils under the PCCI wing. The Management Association of the Philippines, led by president Edward Ferreira, came in full force. Philippine Star publisher and chairman Max Soliven and UNESCO Ambassador Preciosa Soliven were among many friends who enjoyed the night as well.

After his valedictory remarks, Ukrainian Honorary Consul General Oscar de Venecia, the outgoing Dean of the Corps, presented a plaque of merit to incoming Vice Dean Vicente Carlos, Ivorian Honorary Consul, for outstanding leadership as corps secretary and chairman of the Consular Ball and the Special Activities Committees. De Venecia also awarded a posthumous plaque of merit to the late Chilean Honorary Consul General Arturo Rocha, who was dean and longtime active chairman of various committees. Your columnist, the emcee for the evening, also received a surprise plaque of appreciation for emceeing the ball pro bono for many years.

Vice Dean David Donahue, US counselor for consular affairs, accepted his new role as incoming dean and presented a plaque of merit to de Venecia for an outstanding year of leadership.

To spice up and make the evening more exciting and memorable, a record number of 28 valuable prizes were raffled off. There were airline tickets, week-long Mediterranean, Caribbean and Asian cruises, and free weekend packages at top Philippine resorts such as Amanpulo, El Nido Lagen Island, and many others.

And just like a grand royal feast, a special top-class six-course set menu that highlighted a delectable blend of grilled beef tenderloin and sea bass was complemented by an overflow of exquisite wines and liquor. Nonoy Lopez and his band dished out non-stop dance music until the wee hours of the morning.

All in all, this annual consular ball may be one of the best, fun-filled ways of promoting international goodwill, understanding and peace in our part of the globe.