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Thursday, August 11, 2005
Magsaysay: Gwen cows ‘rude rappers’ at Canadian Day reception
By Jo Magsaysay
Whatever
Most consular receptions are so dreadfully ho-hum I would, if I could, avoid attending them. They are so predictable: national anthems, toasts, mabuhay, speeches on mutual cooperation, friendship, hospitality, promoting good will, cementing relations; cocktails bubbling, fizzing, flowing; hors d’ oeuvres, creamy, cheesy, spire-y, peppery, crispy; corporate blue suits, silks, chiffons, bling bling jewelry; perfunctory greetings, polite chatter, small talk . . .
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But for an exciting contretemps, the Canadian National Day reception would have been just another one of those dreary affairs. Peter Sutherland, Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines, was ticking off the government - assisted developments in truth and in fact, a tremendous accomplishment aiding children, poverty, trade and industry in our country, when the hum and drone of conversation at the back of the hall, increasing in volume, intruded into Sutherland’s speech and practically drowned him out.
I wanted to shush the annoying buzz but prudence, I thought, was the better part of valor or perhaps I was too timid to make waves, besides which the ladies and gentlemen, excuse me, the loudmouths, were too far behind. When Governor Gwen Garcia took over the mike for her response, she addressed the dignitaries present and pointedly included, . . . “and the lovely guests in animated conversation . . .” She repeated the phrase in a polite, firm and carefully enunciated tone which finally cowed the crowd, or was it her stare (glare?) that rapped the rude rappers into absolute silence you could hear the proverbial pin drop!
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That’s my girl! The primary lesson in good manners and right conduct may seem anachronistic in these do-your-own-thing-and-be-damned-to-etiquette times but there were shamed faces in the crowd, as well as smart ass comments. Anyway, I thought the governor showed some spunk and I congratulated her. Her speech was unremarkable except for her assurance of first-class products and human resources to be exported to Canada; and her prideful assertion that Cebu is united, one in mind, one in heart, and one in spirit. It felt good to hear Gwen so sure of herself, so confident of her decision, she aroused a positive reaction from her listeners.
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Never knew my old friend, Ted Madamba of the USIS, has a junior until I saw the photographs exhibited at the Magellan Ballroom of Shangri-La.
These were handsome, awesome photos taken of Canadian landscapes, skylines and seascapes; unfortunately there were no brochures available to help the viewers, neither was Ted Madamba Jr. on hand for the cocktail guests to meet. Whatever. Congratulations to Ted Jr. for a great viewing.
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Always dressed for the occasion, the fashion plate Amparito Lhuillier twirled around for a closer and an admiring once-over of her red linen suit. Red, like the Canadian maple, see? Lest I miss the connection.
Similarly, the Ambassador’s lady favored red; a lovely person, Jolynn Sutherland expressed joy that their diplomatic stint has one more year coming on since there are still so many wonderful places to see, beautiful people to meet and, if I may add, more marvelous things to be done for our country.
Anna Lee, the gracious and gentle wife of Canadian consul Robert Lee, favoring a beautifully printed Chinese blouse, smiled in agreement. A huge hunk of Alberta beef, roasted to a crisp on the outside and tender fork-cutting edge on the inside, by Shangri-La executive chef Trevor Stevens from Montreal, was a-wheeled in a trolley with Ambassador Sutherland and Governor Garcia joining hands to carve the roast.
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Ongoing at the Cowrie Cove until Sunday, the 14th, is the Canadian food and beverage festival. Neil M. Rumbaoa, being a topnotch publicist that he is, passes the info that Culinary Canadian will feature a fusion of Philippine and Canadian menu: maple-cured B.C. salmon with Cebu mango salsa, paupiettes of cabbage and chicken, Quebec maple brulee, Fanny Bay oysters, all utilizing the healthiest oil in the world, canola oil from the Canadian prairie.
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Also a dear and thoughtful friend, Neil seeing me hobble about with a cane, sent a waiter scurrying for a chair to “enthrone” me, as Mayen Tan observed.
Luckily, Shangri-La always on top of everything, has long since stocked service plates for cocktail parties that have built in claws to clamp and anchor wine glasses safely. No more juggling but greeting GM Tim Wright so flustered me I dropped my fork! Clumsy!
Having taken the advice of Louis Aboitiz, I now hobble about with a cane to ease my lower back pain. Feeding my vanity, my daughter got me a “party cane,” bronze, slender and collapsible, which Jaime P. called “sexy” (I wish he meant little old fat me!) A sturdier, serviceable cane with a gray handle from my son for a “heavy weight” like me! So now that I have joined the disabled brigade, I could write a whole article about cane and I. Suffice it to say that where waiters and maitre d’s were previously polite, they are now obsequious, practically carrying me to my seat; complete strangers give me a wide berth and they open doors for me. Jeannie Flordelis had recommended physical therapy that included electric hot and cold compresses, exercising on a giant rubber ball that made me feel like a belly dancer, pulling in my “abs” like Schwarzeneger and treadmill, which was eventually ruled out being murder to my sacroiliac. Now I must get used to pitying eyes, sympathetic smiles and intawon sab!
(August 11, 2005 issue)
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