Encore!

Again?!! Yes, dahlinks, but this time, it's “Kung Hei Fat Choi” or Happy New Year, although it's in Chinese this time. Bacolod is in a flurry of activities with this Bacolaudiat festival that promises to be a lauriat of fun, fun, fun! Forget the traffic, the baha and the basura! Who cares what airport you came in as long as you stay in the City of Smiles , di bala? Only Minnie Osmeña complained about her cab charging her P1,000 but, she was gushing about the mountain view upon landing and the green sprawling fields of sugarcane that was worth it all.

“Bonne Anneé” as they say it in Paris . The French Club never fails to end and begin the year right with a flurry of activities. A year-ender was the language teaching seminar in Cebu sponsored by the French Embassy and hosted by Les Amis de la France attended by past president Tess Gaston together with twelve participants from the Visayas and Mindanao . It was conducted by Ms. Francine Breissel from the University of Besançon and assisted by Ms. Alice Levaud, Linguistic Attaché from the French Embassy de Manille.

Beginning with a sumptuous and elegant cocktail on opening night catered by Hola Restaurant, Mme Grace Guinefolleau, and President of Les Amis hosted a lunch at Lemon Grass. The seminar itself was held at the spanking new and modern quarters of Institut Culturel François at the 2 nd Floor of the QC building at Gorordo Ave. Toujours attractive and attentive, Corporate Secretary, Loveth Abad, acted as Good Woman Friday and all around guide for the seminar. Extending the French Connection to include Cebu was a good way to bid farewell to 2007, n'est-ce pas?

Back in Bacolod , the Christmas and New Year affairs of the French Club turned into an international gathering at the house of French Club president Champa Gidwani with French, Belgians, Chinese, Indian, Spanish and Filipino guests and members. Carine and Nathalie La Bourgne taught Bretonne f olk dancing after which Christmas carols in French and English filled the air as Girlie Ramos Cordero played the piano. Just last week, the club elected their officers at Tita Ping's restaurant in Shopping Center which will be the center of this very Chinese New Year... Hoi Sin Pok Chop, anyone?

EVENTS

Tomorrow marks the 10 th anniversary of Pearl Manor Hotel with cocktails and dancing. Congratulations, to the Pearl of Bacolod !!!

Bro. Ray Suplido will welcome La Salle Alumnus at Sweet Greens resto at 9 th St. Feb 9 starting 7 PM with music by Grupo Mari Teves. Chinese dishes will be served as you watch the BacoLaodiat Lantern and Dancing Competition.

La Salle and St. Scholastica's Class ‘64/'68 will celebrate with a Jam Session at the Town and Country residence of Lope and Maricor Consing this Sunday, Feb. 10 starting at 6 PM. NO dance instructors allowed.

“Love of My Life” art exhibit by the Art Association of Bacolod- Negros will start Feb. 10 at 6 PM, Moravia Resto-Bar.

MY PRAYER

I thank Thee, Lord for precious moments, quiet and serene.*