Deviations

Any national day celebration is invariably a reaffirmation of friendship between the host country and the Philippines. Yet, there are always distinctive deviations which render one celebration interestingly different from another.

At the Australian National Day festivities, these held at the embassy residence in Makati, guests were "serenaded" by the Philippine Air Force Band. Filipino tenor Nazer Salcedo and Australian Second Secretary Clare Gatehouse sang the anthems of the Philippines and Australia, respectively, with much feeling and enthusiasm.

The excellent, sumptuous cocktail fare prepared by Mandarin Oriental Manila offered delicacies from Down Under, and for most of those who had helpings of it, the menu was a "first" and, indeed, a marvelous epicurean experience. They sampled, among others, Tasmanian salmon fillet, lamb croquettes, Victorian and Tasmanian cheeses, the finest assorted Australian salad, pan-seared Victorian lamb fillet and kangaroo pastrami. Relishing the buffet, to name a few, were Associate Justice Art Panganiban, Press Secretary Bobby Tiglao, former President Fidel V. Ramos, Rep. Teddy Boy Locsin, Miguel Varela, Luis Lorenzo, Jr., Nic Alcantara, former Senator Leticia R. Shahani and Bobby de Ocampo. To them, Australian cuisine became an instant favorite.

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‘Tis often said that in Scandinavia, the farther up north and, therefore, the colder a country is, the warmer are its people. Accordingly, guests at the Finnish National Day celebration, which was held at the embassy residence, palpably felt and enjoyed the typically warm hospitality of the hosts: Ambassador Raimo Anttola and his wife Piiju.

After the official ceremonies–these were brief and simple–guests focused their attention on a huge, awesome, semi-abstract painting by the celebrated Finnish artist Rafael Aardi. Entitled "Fruit Basket", the rivetting art work gained the admiration of such cognoscenti as Michelline Jess, wife of the German envoy and French Ambassador Gilles Chouraqui, possibly the most avid art lover and patron in diplomatic circles. Incidentally, Mr. Anttola is duly proud of the famous painting which has a special place of honor in the spacious and elegant residence owned by eminent architect Lor Calma.