Summer's gone

One knows summer's gone when the rains fall unpredictably everyday… I really don't mind, because I enjoy the flowers in my garden, the champaca tree that welcomes guests with its fresh scented flowers as one enters our home, the lotus flowers in my Buddha pond, the Hawaiian honeysuckle that perfumes the entire compound.

But looking at my photos, I realize the fun summer brings. I remember the day when Citoy Lopez and his paramour Eva Abesamis kidnapped me for a ride down Sagay River. It was a fun-filled excursion that only Eva could dream up. With their kids Ziggy Lopez and David de Koenigswater, we filled up two bancas of excited city folk gushing and sighing over the endless Amorsolo scenes that we passed as we enjoyed an hour's ride to the mouth of the river.

There was Georgie Diaz Valliet and niece Jessica Wilson, former PAL popular stewardess Nina del Rosario, botanist Francis "Chuck" Te and landscape designer Adjie Lizares with lovely daughters of Alana Montelibano-Bianca and Karla Ramos. What was supposed to be just a ride down the river ended up in Carbin Reef marine sanctuary of Sagay where I was forced to give up my winter's pale look to a sporty summer tan. It wouldn't have been a kidnap ruse if I was able to go home right after. No, Citoy and Eva insisted on having dinner at the Lopez home in the compound of Sagay Central Lopez to show me the white clean smoke coming out from the sugar mills double chimneys.

We showered in the air-con dormitory and proceeded to languid cocktails in the terrace. A short walk around the compound showed us prize exotic plants, a WW2 vintage machine gun and crocodiles in the swimming pool! Dinner was terribly continental with wine and candlelight in the intimate dining room.

Summer also brought election fever into town, but I made a sort of a social coup when I was able to bring members of opposing camps to a dinner at home for visiting Paris guest Victor Magsaysay who was on the campaign trail for his Dad. La Infanta Cristina Bibing Montelibano Villanueva dropped by before proceeding to her campaign for brother Oti, now Silay City Mayor. Of course, Bacolod Congressman Monico Puentevella was represented by brother-in-law Edgar Alunan while Joe Leonardia stood in for Bacolod Mayor Bing. To bring social relief to the electoral fight were arty Madie and Jubal Gallaga, Larry Lacson with partner Derek Bage from Italy.

Summer was the start of plans for the next Lacson Grand Reunion. Over lunch at the new Trattoria Uma of Juan Migz Gaston-Anna Balcells, Nena Rosello, Eva Gorricetta, Artie and Larry Lacson with my cousin Wayne Lacson Forte got excited over the idea that Malacañang would be the venue for the coming get-together. Of course, our enthusiasm was fuelled by the excellent Italian cuisine presented by chef Migz!

SOCIAL AGENDA

Enjoy a "Night in Paris" with HE French Ambassador Gerard Chesnel and Cultural Attache George Gaston Feydeau at the French Club's dinner at Sea Breeze Hotel's La Concha this Saturday, July 21 at 7 P.M. Tickets are at P500.

MY PRAYER

Descend, O Holy Spirit with the abundance of graces to all!*