Before leaving for the US in September of last year, I went to Rustan’s to look for nice and decent gifts our group could give to dignitaries in Washington, DC. We wanted something made in the Philippines but not the handicrafts na mumurahin kasi nakakahiya naman. We’re going to give one to former Senator Lugar , to our host Ernie Bower, and to the other Senate and Congress officials.
I saw a collection of items made from mother of pearls with silver and other materials from Cebu. Because the prices were on the high side, I messaged our group’s president, Tonyboy Cojuangco, about what I wanted to buy including the price range. He said yes. With his approval to go ahead and buy, I chose five items. Two for the VVIPs and 3 for the VIPs.
Since I have a Rustan’s discount card for cash purchases, and natyempo lang na I had cash in my bag, I used cash to purchase the items which totaled almost fifty thousand pesos.
I traveled ahead of my colleagues to the US. I left the gift items at home for pick up by RP. I thought I stuck the receipts inside the paper bag.
Several months later before I remembered that I haven’t reimbursed what I paid for the items.
I couldn’t find the receipts from the purchase of five (5) handcrafted pieces of art made in Cebu. RP said he didn’t find them in the paper bag. I couldn’t find them at home. None of my previous credit card bills from September to present showed the specific purchases. Then I suddenly remembered that I used cash to avail of the discount.
These were the items.
Mother of pearl box with silver tortoise
7,950 pesos per box. I bought three of this.
As soon as I spotted this duck made of silver and mother of pearl, I knew this would be the perfect gift for Sen. Richard Lugar and Ernie Bower. It’s something they could place on top of their book shelves, side table, or desk at their executive offices.
I bought two.
I hope the recipients liked the gifts courtesy of Philippine Trade Foundation
( Philippines Inc.).
How do you factor in the limit to the dollar value of gifts that US government officials can keep? I remember that anything that’s worth a more than a certain amount has to be turned over to the US Treasury or some other office after the government official’s tenure ends.
Very nice