We were requested to arrive at the Manila Golf Club meeting room at 5:30 pm because Ambassador Kim was expected to arrive sometime between 5:30 – 6:30 pm. I didn’t want to be late but I over exaggerated my being punctual. I was there by 4 pm. I thought I would be the first one but William go beat me by five minutes.
Nagpicture taking pa kasi. (Photographer: husband)
About 45 minutes just to get through the McKinley traffic a la sardines. I was glad I had a big time allowance or else I would be peeing in my pants.
I arrived at the Philippines’ premium golf club at exactly 4 pm.
Manila Golf doesn’t look as charming as the other fairways that I’ve seen in other countries. Membership is most coveted because of its prime location (Forbes Park) and being the most expensive (43M and no seller) of all clubs in the country makes it ultra exclusive. Even if you have the millions to park here, it doesn’t mean you will be accepted to the club. You have to be somebody in all caps.
We’re co-hosting the closing reception of the US-ASEAN 40 year relations conference organized by the US State Department and CSIS Washington DC.
Yours truly with SGV & Company’s Country Managing Partner, J. Carlitos G. Cruz. I didn’t know that in 2008, I shared the same stage with Itos when we received the UST College of Commerce’s Top 75 Alumni during its 75th year anniversary celebration. We didn’t know each other yet in 2008.
George Barcelon, Philip Romualez, and William Go.
Former prime minister Cesar Virata, and Beth Lee.
I only noticed the musicians before the party started.
(top row)
Atty. Opap Villonco, Tony Lopa, Atty. Popoy Recalde, Babe Romualdez,
(seated)
Felix Ang, Fausto Preysler, Oscar, Susing Pineda.
Professor Dindo Manhit and US Ambassador Sung Kim
William, OMB, Jun Ortiz, Bobby Amores, George Siy. William left at exactly 7 pm because he was going to a wedding reception at the Shangrila Hotel. Kaya pala sya super aga kasi aalis sya agad. He told me he once attended a wedding at the same hotel wherein the parents of the couple spent 8M just for the flowers alone. Repeat: Eight million pesos para sa bulaklak lang. Exaj. Ako naaartehan ako pag sobrang exaggerated ang mga floral decors. Ilang oras lang yan naka display tapos itatapon na. Even if you can afford it, tila unnecessary expense. Kung nagtatae ka ng pera siguro naman to spend 1 M on flowers is good already, then donate na lang the 7 M.
I saw Jun Ortiz getting a lot of pansit malabon, pati ako nakigaya. Parang hindi sila nagda-diet. If you’re in mid-70s, bakit ka pa magbabawal ng kain. Just eat everything.
There was a halu-halo bar but the glasses were too tiny. Parang4″ in height, that’s why I got 2. Nagkakantatapon ang laman bec it’s just too small.
I was done eating when Raymond Garcia arrived.
After dinner, the media interviewed Babe Romualdez. I surmised that it was about the US-Philippine relations under Pres. Duterte who is not fond of Americans. Babe turned down Duterte’s offer to be the Philippine Ambassador to the US.
