Ambassador Thomas at Giraffito

Philippines, Inc. hosted an intimate get-together and despedida party for outgoing United States Ambassador to the Philippines, Harry Thomas.

Since it was a Friday afternoon, and there’s a million march rally in Makati, I didn’t want to take a chance that I would late so I left my office at 4:30 pm.

EDSA was clear, including the side streets. I arrived at the LRI Design Plaza in Reposo at 4:55 pm. Ako pa lang ang tao. Call time’s at 6 pm.

Beginning at 6 pm, guests trickled in.

(Left to right)

Capt. Jack Sotherland, Oh my buhay’s face,  Prof. Dindo Manhit,   Jesus Pineda, Jr., Fausto Preysler,   Atty. Popoy Recalde, Raul Concepcion, Cesar Virata.

Dindo, Atty. _____, RP Manhit, Susing Pineda and Fausto Preysler

RP Manhit, OMB, Consul Bill Christopher, Susing Pineda

Harry Liu, Fausto, and Ronnie

Atty. Popoy Recalde, Gigi Montinola, Susing, and RP Manhit

Beaver Lopez, RP, Jab, taba me, Dindo

Giraffito is a good place for a small gathering of people, maybe for 20 px.

We were more than 30.  By the time Amb. Thomas arrived,  only the sofas were vacant.    But that was actually more comfortable than the tight dining chairs.

It’s not a full service restaurant. They are open in the afternoon onwards.
They served us pizzas, pasta, pork bbq, salmon and liver canapés.

Salmon Canape

Liver pate. If you’re going, order the blue cheese pizza. Eat immediately after it’s served.

Tony Boy Cojuangco welcomes our guests.  He owns Giraffito.   He said there used to be a bar restaurant in Makati in the 90s that was highly successful.  The name was Giraffe.   He owned it too,  Siguro it had lots of good memories and sentimental value kaya he opened a baby Giraffe.

Gigi Montinola and Jun Periquet

Ambassador Thomas said he would be back after one and a half years. He’s probably getting hitched.  One of my colleagues told me his girlfriend’s name daw is Mithi and she and Harry met on a cruise.  I’ve seen the two of them last year at the Best Dressed Gala night.

Atty. Opap Villongco

US Consul Bill Christopher, OMB, Babe Romualdez.
Bill’s 4 year old son is so gwapo.

Antonio Lopa, Fausto Preysler, Ambassador Thomas, Raul Concepcion, Tony Garcia

Group photo? And dilim at ang layo ng shot.   The only rose among the thorns.

Souvenir photo:

(from left to right)

RP Manhit,  US Embassy official___, Prof. Dindo Manhit, Atty. Opap Villongco,

Annie C. Tan-Yee, Babe Romualdez, Fausto Preysler,  Ambassador Thomas,

Susing Pineda,  Tony Lopa, and Beaver Lopez.

(How do I fix my eyes? Para akong si Galema, anak ni Zuma)