The Manila Oversees Press Club had no less than the Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno as guest of honor and speaker at their Induction of 2015 Officers and Members last Thursday, March 12 at the Grand Ballroom of Hotel Intercontinental in Ayala, Makati.
While we were shaking hands, I said “magandang gabi po”. Sobra akong maka Tagalog. Dapat Buenas Dias or Good Evening with a British Accent para I would make a lasting impression.
Babe Romualdez is the President of MOPC.
Atty. Mike Toleda was the evening’s able emcee. He looked like he had just stepped out of a GQ magazine cover. Mike looks like a model.
I first met him (maybe 20 years ago) on the flight from Manila to London. He was a young lawyer traveling to London to take up a masters degree. Me naman, ewan ko kung saan ako pupunta. Maybe to Frankfurt, then to Cologne.
I could feel the closeness of RP Manhit (center) to his kuya, Prof. Dindo Manhit. It’s nice to watch them giggle together.
MOPC’s Chairman Emeritus, Atty. Emil Jurado (left). We’ve known each other for twenty five years, since FVR time. I first met him during FVR’s state visit to Vietnam. He and his wife are celebrating their 60 years wedding anniversary in May. They’re not going to have a grand party, instead, they will go shopping in Thailand. That’s sweet. Emil must be missing his two great friends, Ka Imon (Ambassador Felimon Cuevas)+ and Atty. Leonardo Siguion-Reyna, Sr.+
Tony Lopa (in white barong) is also our constant travel companion beginning from FVR time, to Estrada, GMA, Pnoy, and he was also in Washington DC last September. He’s such a nice fellow. I have never seen him frown.
Chief Justice Sereno is the youngest SC Chief Justice in our history, at 54 she would be retiring at the age of 70. Kawawa naman pala yung mga ibang nag-aambisyon, no more chance. 100 years old na sila by that time.
She came from the law firm of Siguion Reyna pala.
A————“Ton, napansin mo ba uso ngayon pumpkin soup. halos lahat ng wedding, birthdays, events, puro pumpkin soup or kaya mushroom soup”.
Tony Lopa (laughs)—“Oo nga”.
A————-“Nung araw hindi naman pinapansin itong kalabasa”.
Tony Lopa—–“Baka kasi madaling lutuin”.
We were at Table #01 but we were the last to be served the main course, naubos yung food.
Others have finished eating, kami wala pa.
Waiter———-“Mam, gusto nyo i-serve na muna namin yung dessert?”
A—————“Ha? Bakit una dessert?”
After many minutes, here comes our food, eto na, what’s this? It’s hiding.
Cheesecake with fresh fruits. I scraped and ate the toppings and ate half of the cake.
I left after CJ Sereno delivered her speech, at around 10:15 pm during the question and answer portion.
Hi OMB, CJ Sereno was my prof then in law school. She really intelligent and very humble.
I will never forget the time, without me asking, then professor sereno, sat down and prayed with me because I was having family issues that affected my academics. her appointment to the high court is indeed providence at work.
CJ Sereno is the youngest Chief Justice. Jusice Marvic Leonen at 52 is the youngest Associate Justice.
Thank you for the additional info Alvin and Marvin.