|
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Magsaysay: Traipsing away for a breather
By Jo Magsaysay
Whatever
A touch of flu bogged me down over the week and cut short my activities. Lifting up my woeful spirit was a long and marvelous chitchat with my dear old friend, Mingming Selma Gullas, who had just come home from a glorious trip abroad together with her beloved, Eddiegul.
******
Traipsing off for a breather from the nationwide political turmoil, and the wrangling over what is right and what is might in the local scene, Congressman and Mrs. Eduardo Gullas were actually bound for Switzerland for the International Labor Organization (ILO) conference in Geneva to represent the Philippines. But first, a side trip to Paris to rekindle the flame of romance of their younger and carefree days in the City of Lights. And, of course, “to shop till you drop”? No, not really, it’s Eddie who likes Dior shirts a lot . . .
*****
On to Rome for Holy Mass at the Vatican, praying over the crypt of the soon-to-be Blessed Pope John Paul, and then the Vin de Honore on the occasion of the Philippine Independence Day celebration hosted by Philippine Ambassador to Italy, Philippe Lhuillier. As the only Philippine legislator, Congressman Gullas was a special guest, hobnobbing with other distinguished guests and diplomatic personalities that included US Ambassador N. Sinclair, while my good friend Madame Mingming, the congressman’s lady, indulged in a lively conversation with the new Italian envoy to Manila, the Russian Ambassador to Italy and His Eminence Cardinal Sanchez of the Philippines, a very close friend of Ambassador Lhuillier.
*****
Knowing Mingming’s passion for fashion, I expressed shock to hear that this shopping “fiend” stayed clear away from her favorite fashion houses of Valentino and Versace, who are “outrageously expensive”. She discovered wonderfully exciting new styles in small boutiques that had clothes and accessories by little-known designers…”so affordable.” Having curbed a compulsion for high-priced designer dresses, her new-found frugality had shifted to an enormously rewarding love, investment-wise, in the acquisition of art. Someday soon, I’ll be going over to her newly-remodeled house in V. Rama, which she has furnished with priceless objets d’ art, among them original paintings by Amorsolo, Manansala and Anita Magsaysay-Ho which, no doubt, cost a neat fortune; tidy enough to buy a whole wardrobe from Valentino, Versace and Dior combined!! Anyway, the refurbished home should be another showcase of Mingming’s elegance and impeccably fine taste.
To Prague for a courtesy call on the Philippine Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Carmelita “Menchu” Rodriguez Salas, an old friend from the old days in STC, when Mingming and other Theresians would walk over to Menchu’s house across the street to raid the kitchen of Luis and Panyang for snacks and goodies. Ambassador Menchu personally took them on a guided tour of the city, to hear mass with them in the Cathedral and venerate the shrine of the miraculous Sto. Niño de Praga. Then, of course, dinner in Menchu’s luxurious apartment – the food prepared by her legendary Anita who can cook circles around any gourmet chef in the continent, thus making Menchu’s dinners a premium among diplomatic circles. Incidentally, Menchu became a glamorous grandma early this year, her son Earnest and his wife, Pinky, having presented her with a beautiful baby girl.
****
Finally, in Geneva at their hotel where the Philippine Ambassador to Switzerland Enrique A. Manalo formally welcomed them. With the ambassador was Consul General Grace Relucio Princesa, who had played a significant role in the negotiations for the release of Filipino overseas workers in Iraq, which may be instrumental in her appointment as Philippine ambassador next month. Ambassador Manalo had previously served as permanent representative of the Philippines to the United Nations before assuming his present position.
****
At the ILO Conference, Mrs. Gullas looked proudly on as her husband, Congressman Eduardo Gullas, was formally recognized as permanent delegate of the House of Representations to the ILO conference since its ninth congress in 1992 and as deputy majority leader, a member of all standing committees of the 13th congress as deputy speaker and then majority leader of the 11th congress honored as principal anchor and sponsor of the New Labor Code of 2005.
****
A cross-over flight to Los Angeles to their home in Downey city to rest before jetting back to the Philippines, back to their everyday life of political and social obligations: for Eddie, the public hearings in Congress, for Mingming a stopover in Hawaii for a lovely visit with her cousin Conchita Steward and standing up as madrina in a grand wedding in Maui Island. Welcome back!
(July 7, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
