Intimate soirées

Lately, I've been enjoying small gatherings that bring friends and relatives together. I find the ambience more intimate and notice that the conversations are livelier. Also, we really get to bond with each other through secrets shared and laughing at ourselves. Boundaries are broken and everyone seems more open to being themselves.

I hosted a bienvenida for Copenhagen-based genteel Ines Franco and Englishman Derek Bage who was my gracious host at his villa in Emilia-Romagna wine country. Of course, I concocted a very Ilonggo fare that included mongo boiled in coconut milk, river fern salad with my special rose pepper vinaigrette dressing, mini anchovies fried with French Guerande rock salt and US boneless leg of lamb. For dessert, there was ube-macapuno ice cream and sans rival cake accompanied by verveine and chamomile tea. Another cosy get-together was the birthday of former Congresswoman Hortense Starke at her residence. There were immediate family members, cousins and schoolmates to liven up conversation in the table that had the St. Scho pack comparing their retirement benefits. Of course, Hortense was her gracious self, seeing to it that everyone was comfortably seated and served continuously with her delicious spread. Social banter ranged from reminiscing school days to power politics and of course, the latest gossip in town.

BACOLAODIAT SCENE

Simply amazing is the magical atmosphere in our city plaza with the RED Chinese lanterns everywhere, giving a special glow to downtown Bacolod. While the workers were putting up the lanterns, I noticed that some buntings from the SEA Games were still hanging ripped and dirty on the branches, prompting me to ask them if they could throw it away since it just destroyed the beautiful effect of the new lanterns. Someone replied that they were working "pakyao" and that was not included in their tasks. It could have just taken them half a minute to do so… Pity, that's another Pacquiao phenomenon that ails Filipinos, I guess. To top it all, the following night, I drove Mama around the plaza to admire the lights. Would you believe we hardly could see them cuz someone had hung more advertising banners, further blocking the beautiful lanterns from the street side. Could someone repair these eyesores before Honorary Bacolodnon Lucio Tan arrives? I suggest that they hang them on the streets around the plaza, instead. THEN, the buntings would really add a festive touch to the whole scene. What do you think, Mayor Bing? Bravo to you and the Chinese community!

My Prayer: Behold God's blessings on this beautiful day!*