Israel Chamber of Commerce

I was invited to the Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ICCP) luncheon meeting at the Tower Club last thursday.
It was my first time to attend this gathering. I couldn’t say no to Ferdinand Sarfati, a member of the Philippine Council of Management (Philcoman) and the Executive Director and incoming president of the ICCP. Ferdie’t mother is a Filipina and his dad is an Israeli. We’re schoolmates and he’s close to Professor Noli Santos.

Tower Club is on the 31st floor yata. Everytime I came here I always went straight to the bathroom. In the past, they transferred the Listerine to another container na walang pangalan, para medyo presentable. One time, I used it to wash my hands, kala ko hand soap, ayaw bumula.

The invitation never said that there’s a P1,500 ticket to cover for lunch. My name appeared on the guest list, but the receptionist asked for P1,500. I didn’t mind paying except #1, the invitation wasn’t clear that non-members are charged P1,500, #2, I didn’t have cash. In split second, I thought of leaving. But all of a sudden, the one who invited me came out and saw me. I apologized that I didn’t know that there’s a fee and I didn’t have money. I told them I would just send the P1,500 later. Mahihiya ba ako?

(from left) Anton, Henry Sy (former president of Toyota Shaw Blvd.), the girl who didn’t have P1,500, Ferdie and Prof. Noli Santos.

Henry Sy told me he didn’t know also that there’s a P1,500 ticket.
I searched for some money from my bag. Hinalungkat ko talaga, yung mga sipit-sipit. Thank you Lord, I have P1,500.

I might as well eat.

panna cotta

lemon cheesecake

The guest speaker was Dr. Bernie Villegas of UA&P. His speech was both informative and interesting but I had trouble keeping my eyes open.