Thursday, December 14, 2006 Magsaysay: Little acts of Holiday courtesy By Jo Magsaysay Whatever
HE didn’t have to take the hand of the old lady. Yet, he did quite naturally. A little hand clasped my hand firmly and this little boy of five led me across the lobby of the Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort Hotel to the Christmas tree all festively-lit for the season. He looked up at me and smiled, a beautiful smile, his face glowing bright, his eyes dancing with delight. Such a fine young gentleman like his father…
His father, the hotel GM Tim Wright was still outside in the porte cochere, sending off his guests, fifty little boys and girls of the Batang Opon Foundation from a Christmas party, lugging home their huge bundles of gifts.
Little Jordan’s mother was somewhere around attending to her younger son Joshua, patting off the sweat from his face. Jordan’s little act of courtesy was no big deal, really, but I was so gratified. His father was matter-of-fact …"It’s his mother, she takes care about our sons doing the right things…" With the Asean summit on my mind, I latched on to a significant connection, may be far fetched, but it touched base when Mr. Wright said something about the Summit will have been over, decisions will have been made but the children will remain. He reminded me that the children are after all, our future. A great Scot Tim for a father, an exquisitely Indonesian Mona for a mother and Jordan: a summit meeting of hope for the future…and a little child shall lead us all.
******
Still euphoric from my delightful encounter with Jordan and being driven on a golf cart/buggy with the GM behind the wheel, we were taken for a look-see of a splendid marquee under construction to shade President Arroyo and other dignitaries of the Summit. Dinner at the Acqua was almost anti-climactic. Not that the rucoletta balsamica (arugula salad), the fettucini with creamy cepe mushrooms, sogliola in salsa picante (sole fillet with pepperonica lime salsa) and zucconato (ice cream cake with meringue) prepared by Chef Marco Anzani were not up to the extra-fine standards of Shangri-La cuisine, but I was all aglow with bonhomie, feeling high and happy renewing acquaintances with Dick Simmons gladly settling down as resident manager and loving every minute of it, extracting a promise from Sharon Samarista to introduce the light of her life when he comes down for a visit next year, cheering Lesley Tan on as she passed around the raffle tickets wishing one and all a Merry Christmas. Guess who won the much-coveted complimentary stay-over at Shangri-La Singapore?
******
A rip-roaring time by the tri-media all but shook down the rafters at Marco Polo Hotel at the Aboitiz Christmas Party. Exhilarating fun and games kids used to play. Screaming, screeching, hopping and jumping as the young and valiant souls vied at skipping rope, hula hoop, bato lata, bulhot lastiko, and sungka for the sedentary. Prizes galore. As many major prizes as there were major winners. Thirteen of them. Top-of-the-line cell phone, flat screen colored T.V., washing machine, microwave, cooking range, gift certificates. Minor prizes: a Super-Ferry ride for bright girl Cookie Newman who topped quiz queries. Directors chairs for Bobit Avila and my pet, Jude Bacalso, sashaying down the aisle. Even an umbrella for little old me!
******
The Aboitiz executives, like demi-gods descending from their lofty heights, to the thrill and pleasure of all, joined the media and mixed with the boys and girls from the press, radio and T.V. No high-faluting speech from the main man Sir Jon who simply, directly and sincerely welcomed the tri-media as "our partners," wishing one and all a Merry Christmas. Sir Bobby joined our table, chatting up a storm with Bunny Pages, Nestor Alonso and Mila Espina, stopped briefly and stood up. No big deal, either, just being mannerly to assist Ginny Peralta Vamenta negotiating her walker-on-wheels to the table.
******
The program was sensational! Started off with a prayer sung by Yentl Beltran, whose high soprano, coloratura, I think, was likened by Sam Costanilla, a jazzy, sassy emcee, to Charlotte Church, while a violin choir played accompaniment. Never but never has there beeen such exuberant dancers as the Dancing Ambassadors of Cebu Normal University, Diwa Pinoy. No soporific swinging and swaying balitaw or pandanggo. These young men and women vibrated, quivered, exuded life. They were so alive, I wanted to stand up and cheer. We’re told they will be performing at the Asean summit and they should be. They must! They’re absolutely fantastic, makes one feel great to be alive!
******
When the Aboitiz Group of Companies gives a party, all stops are pulled and everything is go-go-go all the way. The loot bags were overflowing from all parts of the Philippines: including a clay pot of bibingka and baterol. A bottle of French wine. A packet of marbles, takyan and kasing. Overwhelming! A Merry Christmas to all...and to all, a good night!
