'Kita-kits sa Facebook!'

MANILA, Philippines - Goodbyes are not necessarily unnerving. And definitely goodbyes are not the end of many a friendship forged for years. With, perhaps, the social networking site Facebook as the venue, friends parting ways will never really part.

Despite the rain, it was a beautiful farewell party that took place Tuesday night at the residence of US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. when he feted four outgoing embassy officers: Rick Nelson, counselor for public affairs; Rebecca Brown Thompson, information officer; Najlaa Abdus Samad, assistant cultural affairs officer; and Wossenyelesh Mazengia, assistant information officer.

The ambassador was sartorially hip in his blue Levi’s denims and striped long-sleeved shirt, which, upon closer scrutiny revealed the colors red, white and blue, when he welcomed guests to his home in Forbes Park, Makati. The party was a merry mix of people from the diplomatic corps, politics, business, arts and, of course, showbiz.

Guests enjoyed a sumptuous home-cooked fare consisting of crab cake with salsa, pickled vegetables, peeled shrimps in yummy sauce, chicken casserole, brownies, pecan rum cake, pancit, among other savory treats that the ambassador’s household staff prepared. (There are eight stay-in staff in the ambassador’s house — two female chefs, three female household assistants, two male household assistants and a male butler. All of them enjoy their job, noting that the ambassador has a very big heart.)

Even the honorees that night at the farewell reception, in not so many words, were one in saying how loved the ambassador was. In her short farewell speech, Najlaa said, “I’m so grateful to be here, to have worked with my favorite ambassador.”

By the way, Najlaa began her speech by bringing out her camera and taking a group shot of the guests before her at the reception. She would surely upload the photo on Facebook — for her not to feel far away from the friends she made in Manila when she leaves soon.

Najlaa also read a poem entitled The Filipino Way, which she wrote herself a few days upon her posting in the Philippines three years ago. In her poem, she described the Filipinos as “gentle” and “reserved” with “sweet laughter,” “silent bravery” and “a perceptible nod.” She went on to read her original poem by saying the Filipinos are “linguists,” “global diplomats” and “mighty people.” She melted the hearts of the Filipinos in the audience as they broke into thunderous applause.

Rebecca Thompson is leaving Manila after four years of being here. “I’m sad that I’m leaving,” she told me a few minutes before the program started. When she delivered her short speech, she said, “The Philippines and the US have a beautiful relationship. It’s a family affair. We both know we love each other. We both know we need each other. Our destinies are intertwined.”

She added, “I’m much a better officer because of my posting here in Manila. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat.”

For her part, Wossenyelesh said she would always remember her many memorable experiences in the two years that she was assigned in Manila, particularly her “beautiful relationship with the reporters” in the Philippines. With upbeat spirit, she furthered: “Since I don’t believe in saying goodbye. I will just say: ‘Kita-kits sa Facebook (See you on Facebook)’.”

The honorees’ quips were replete with Filipino phrases, even sentences. It seemed many of the US Embassy officers, including the affable consul general Michael Schimmel and his wife Susan and commercial counselor Patrick Wall, were well adept with Filipino lines that they understood and appreciated the nuances of the language that night. Their appreciation of the vernacular became more evident when Rick Nelson, while emceeing also the short program, punctuated his antics with “Dyos ko po!” and “Ano ba yan?”

This is Rick’s third time to be posted in Manila. He was here first from 1987 to 1989. Then he came back for the second time from 1999 to 2004. His Filipino friends welcomed him again in 2008.

Rick, the big guy with a big heart, is a livewire. We were already friends long before we became Facebook friends. I became close to him because of his gracious Filipino wife, Pinky Sabinosa-Nelson, a lover of life. Pinky and I became friends because she is the first cousin of my dearest friend, Rachy Cuna, the floral architect of the Philippines. Every time they are in Manila, I will always have a party with the Nelsons at Rachy’s place. 

In many ways, Rick, who will go back to Washington after three years of being in Manila, is Pinoy. He eats adobo, kare-kare and sinigang the way Pinoys relish these dishes. His humor has also been “Philippinized.” In parties, we exchange jokes. And Rick is always a hit when he sings songs of Gary Valenciano, his favorite Filipino singer. Wait till you hear him croon Di Na Natuto and you will be swept off your feet. Rick rocks! His friends in Manila will miss him big time.

No one among the four honorees said goodbye with tears that night. But the heavens probably articulated what they felt with a sudden heavy downpour.

Manila will miss all of you. Kita-kits sa Facebook!