A gathering of friends

By Bob Zozobrado

It’s always a source of joy when I spend my leisure time with good friends. There’s never a dull moment. We talk about earth-shaking revelations, or about the silliest things, from the mundane to the heavenly… and we have fits of laughter at the slightest provocation. Whoever that was who said that God gave us our friends to keep us sane in spite of this world was certainly wise!

At Salcedo Village

Salcedo Village in Makati boasts one much sought-after foodie station owned and operated by my amiable friend, Marissa Fenton, who has made this Chinese resto a favorite among socio-civic, business and government luminaries nestled in that area. So, when Marissa celebrated her birthday, Mr. Poon was ground zero for name-droppable personalities in the metro.

Helping Marissa put the great celebration together was another friend and my “neighbor,” Nene Leonor, who can turn any simple party ornament into a lavish theatrical presentation. She gladly helped fuss over the well-heeled guests who came in droves to greet the birthday girl.

At Sta. Rosa

Society chronicler Donnie Ramirez was “at home” entertaining us, his horde of friends, at his suburban hideaway, his vacation house, still standing by its lone self after all these years in an exclusive subdivision in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

An air of family keynoted the affair. Aside from the dozens of “regulars” who have lived by the traditional exodus to that part of the world when Donnie beckons, there was Ricky Davao who brought his two pretty daughters Rik and Ara, while Becky Garcia and vacationing hubby, Dr. George Sarakinis, came with their visiting friends from Rotterdam, Wim van der Torre and his three sons, Dirk, Bouke and Jaap.

Nippy provincial air, warm bonding among friends, and best of all, great food from The Plaza made it another fun gathering for us, Donnie’s denizens.

Bulletin board

Johann Strauss Society of the Philippines, in cooperation with the Mandarin Oriental Manila, the JSSP, spearheaded by its president, Monaco Consul Fortune Ledesma, recently presented the traditional Vienna New Year Concert at the hotel’s Ballroom. Austrian conductor Ernest Hoetzl flew in especially to conduct the Manila Symphony Orchestra performing well-loved Strauss waltzes and polkas. Violinist Esther Lee did Sarasate’s “Gypsy Melody” and internationally acclaimed soprano Rachelle Gerodias was the soloist for Johann Strauss’ Voices of Spring. The Ballroom was transformed into a replica of the awesome interior of the Vienna Opera House in all its Baroque glory.

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YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE:

A little girl dressed in her Sunday best was running as fast as she could, trying not to be late for Bible class. As she ran, she prayed aloud repeatedly, “Dear Lord, please don’t let me be late… Dear Lord, please don’t let me be late...” but tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again and said, “I know you heard my prayer, Lord, but don’t shove me either!”

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For feedback, I’m at bobz@pldtdsl.net