August 31, 2017 PICC, Manila
Right after the ASEAN Women’s Business Conference adjourned at exactly 5:30 pm, we went to the fashion exhibit in the lobby.
I also went out of the building to switch my black patent leather step-in with my old golden tsinelas. Never mind if others were dressed to the nines and I was not. My feet hurt and I needed a more comfortable footwear so I could stay for a few more hours to attend the special dinner reception and fashion show.
PICC Grand Lobby
Maymay and I marveled at the grandness of this structure. Even if it’s old, it still looks impressive.
View of the grand lobby from the third floor balcony.
The farewell reception would be held on the 3trd floor of the PICC building. We didn’t even know that this magnificent edifice has a third floor.
While guests were waiting at the 3rd floor lobby, we were served delicious cocktail food and non-alcoholic drinks.
Cherry tomatoes with tuna filling
Ma. Rowena J. Matti, CEO of Galileo Enrichment Learning Program, Pacita “Chit” Juan, Chair, ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN), and Chair, Women’s Business Council Philippines (WBCP), and Rosario “Ros” Juan, owner of Commune Cafe. Every cousin or niece or nephew of Chit that I have met so far is a successful entrepreneur. Mukhang it’s in the Juan blood.
Look at them they are so bihis na bihis tapos ako naka tsinelas na lang. I didn’t want to join na nga in the photos.
(Left to Right)– Ann Pamintuan, Baby Montemayor, Joji Ilagan, Maymay Liechtenstein and their yaya.
I really admire ladies who take time out to look fabulous. I have never seen Joji Ilagan looking less fabulous.
Maymay’s feet were aching from her black Chanel shoes. She was also taking off her shoes occasionally when no one was looking. Ako talaga, I couldn’t stand the pain anymore. It was a choice between going home or wearing slippers. I didn’t want to go home yet so wear tsinelas na lang was the best option.
We were one of the firsts to enter the reception hall.
I brought home some pastillas and mango tart
We again, Maymay, Ann, OMB, Chiqui Go.
Undersecretary of the Department of Trade & Industry, Nora K. Terrado
This ASEAN delegate from Thailand has a nice gray gown with matching beaded shawl. My seatmate fell in love with her gown.
Delegates from other ASEAN countries
Delegates from Thailand. I forgot their names but I remember that she said her gown was specially made for her by a designer for US$1,000 more or less.
Simone from Thailand
Ma. Aurora “Boots” Geotina-Garcia was wearing a business attire colored light blue during the Women’s Conference earlier. She changed her attire into this locally-woven long dress.
A-la supermodel, Jeannie Javelosa, Co-founder of ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle (together with Chit Juan and Reena Francisco). Jeannie has a long list of credentials to her name aside from being a director and curator at the Yuchengco Museum.
Glenda Barretto was in the kitchen supervising the food and service according to one of the waiters.
Shrimp salad (ensaladang hipon at kesong puti)
The wooden plate charger impressed many of us.
The seabass was perfectly seasoned and cooked.
The ube mixed with the white rice added color but not in the taste.
White chocolate with coconut mousse
The semi-sphere shaped white chocolate was pretty but can you imagine throwing away practically all of that chocolates? It’s safe to say that 95% didn’t eat that.
I ate the sweet mangoes, Ann ate a few grapes, Maymay ate three pieces of rambutan. The rest? Wasted.
The guests were treated to a Fashion Show featuring clothes from the participating ASEAN countries.
Tired and sleepy, time to go home.
Antok na
While the ladies were doing selfies and socializing, I did a French exit.
I was really tired and sleepy. I came home at past midnight the night before (from the dinner for Amb. Babe Romualdez), tapos eto na naman puyat.
No more people at the lobby.
This couple also left at the same time as me. They looked fabulous. Look at her red gown.
Even at almost 11 pm it was still heavy traffic along Buendia Avenue.
There was a cement mixer that was running a bit faster than it should.
I already told my driver to move away from the cement mixer abah, dun pa rin sumisiksik. Mukhang hindi yata alam na baka magaya kami dun sa pamilya na napitpit na parang luya ng cement mixer. Hindi yata sya nagbabasa ng dyaryo at nanonood ng balita. He didn’t get the memo. STAY AWAY FROM CEMENT MIXERS!
