Tickets to the Johan Strauss’ Austrian Concerto at the lounge of the Shangrila Hotel were P5,000 for seats near the front and P3,500 for the back seats. I only bought one ticket near the front because I didn’t know who to bring along. My children and husband were busy. I didn’t want to bother them. I once brought dear husband along, maybe two years ago. Inaantok lang sya.
As soon as I entered the lounge, this young fellow named Derpo, showed up practically on my face, offering hors d’oeuvre. I grabbed a piece. He was enthusiastic. #goodattitude
I didn’t realize I was starving till I reached my table. I hate several dinner rolls. I was joined at the table by George Yang and he too was hungry and ate several dinner rolls too. Hindi ka nag-iisa.
His wife Kristine had an eye operation that’s why she couldn’t join him.
The table was very crowded with lots of glasses and cutlery. The waiters compressed up and added two more chairs. Our dinner plates were practically on top of each other. When the program started, I talked the waiters into removing the two chairs and settings. Nung una ayaw nila, kasi daw there could be more people coming. I told them, wala ng dadating kasi nadito na sila oh, dumating. I pointed at the two gentlemen in front of me. Actually, imbento ko lang yun. I didn’t know if there would still be people coming. Ang sikip na kasi. Look at the table, it looked so cluttered already without the additional two place settings.
Lady in Pink, Mrs. Cecile Varela
Rod, Mike, Olga, George.
Manila Symphony Orchestra
Philippine’s multi-awarded soprano, Rachelle Gerodias with her husband, Park Byeong from South Korea.
Park Byeong
Rachelle is heavy with their first child. Siguro pag laki nung batang yan pang The Voice ang boses.
Eto pala ang tamang spelling of the Rodgers and Hammerstein song Edelweiss from the Sound of Music. Bakit nung araw sa Binangonan eh ang tawag ng teacher namin ay Aydelboys.
The program started around 9 pm and dinner a bit later. My colleagues at the table were already complaining, in a nice way, that it’s way past their bedtime and it’s too late to have a heavy meal.
I finished this salmon and arugula salad.
Someone at the table commented that the steak did not meet the Shangrila hotel standard. He kidded George that the Big Mac tasted better.
I ate the fruit toppings, not the canape. I didn’t eat the rest.
I left just after Johnny Litton finished the closing remarks and before the many goodbyes. I didn’t want to get caught in a traffic jam with at least two hundred cars coming to pick up their bosses.
This lady had a very nice lacy gown. I was only wearing a short cocktail dress in violation of the dress code. Ang init init ngayon, ayaw ko mag-gown.
