They drank to a King

Consul Ramon Ilusorio in his usual barong, the tall, personable, good-looking Israeli Second Secretary Roi Dvir, Carlyn Manning, ravishing as a queen–these were among those who gathered at the Dusit grand ballroom to drink to the health of H.M. Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. This was during the celebration of the country’s own birthday.

Having come from another engagement, I arrived rather late. As I looked for the hostess, Ambassador Busba Bunnag, I quickly saw her posing with former President FVR for a picture. There were so many in the group–this included several children in their native wear–one might have assumed they were posing for a souvenir family photo of parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren and cousins to the third degree. How it called to mind a Filipino family reunion.

The atmosphere prevailing in the ballroom was informal rather than formal, and presumably, that is how the very democratic, unassuming and understandably well-loved monarch would have liked it. Indeed, children in Thai get-up were romping and jumping about while turning the grand ballroom into their own private playground. The whole scenery might have been mistaken for Philippine rather than Thai. Indeed, Ambassador Bunnag was thoroughly accurate when she observed in her meaningful message that she keeps noticing "the wonderful parallelism of culture and values between the Thais and the Filipinos".

For the rest of the evening, guests focused their attention on the fantastic cocktail fare. Some insisted I try the soup, either plain or brimming with herbal (and spicy!) condiments: others suggested my trying other countless Thai delicacies. As I nibbled, my esteemed colleague Babe Romualdez approached me; forthwith I introduced him to the Mexican Deputy Carlos Torres and his charming wife Rocio. Meanwhile, Madame Bunnag, like any typically hospitable Filipino hostess, was doing the rounds, cordially greeting guests and urging them to return to the loaded buffet tables.