Interludes

Guests at the 79th anniversary of the proclamation of independence were delighted to meet the towering, mild-mannered, soft-spoken Ambassador Tanju Sumer. Three Turkish gentlemen left their base in Zamboanga just to be present and accounted for on the important occasion, and they all assured me Zamboanga is quite safe. In fact, the young Mansur Omercikoglu (see photo) thinks the place is so safe, he wed a Filipino wife! The Manila interlude was a pleasant respite for the three but they fully planned to return to their Mindanao base where Mr. Yasar is a high school director.

A musical interlude was the high point of the Czech national day celebration, almost overshadowing the exchange of toasts. Adam and Marek, talented sons of Ambassador Stanislav and Binh Slavicky, played piano selections and highly impressed the audience. Adam rendered Dvorak’s Humoresque; the younger Marek, a real diplomat, chose F. Santiago’s Philippine Souvenirs.

While the hostess and some guests were posing for a picture, they interestingly represented various religions: Israeli Ambassador Irit Ben Abba is Jewish; Binh Slavicky, Buddhist; Parouk Husin, Muslim; Msgr. Antonio Franco, Catholic.

Did you know that the Netherlands Ambassador Theo Arnold is an outstanding painter? The embassy residence is full of his works yet he is so unassuming, these are "hidden" on the second floor. Accordingly, unless you are invited to go upstairs, you’ll never see them. (A painting of his is on this page.)

Did you know that Mr. Arnold’s vivacious wife Kessara is one of Manila’s most active charity workers? With obvious logic, do-gooder Kessara and artist Theo opened at their Makati residence "Paintings for a Cause"–a display of paintings and prints by European masters. Proceeds went to Kessara’s favorite charity, the San Pablo Apostle Parish in Tondo.

Soon after Narda Camacho’s costume party for diplomats and their wives, she hosted a welcome party for Swiss Ambassador Lise Favre and wives of newly-arrived ambassadors, combined with a despedida for Saku Karunasiri of Sri Lanka. There was the usual musical interlude: Thai Ambassador Busba Bunnag sang Dahil sa Iyo–from memory!–Saku and Carolyn Dimond rendered English favorites; Consul Helen Ong and Lulu Castañeda, native selections. Hearty applause rang throughout.