Publisher's NotesDecember 2009
Short but sweet trip, The sweetest friends
Short but sweet aptly describes our
most recent visit to the Philippines for a personal reason, which we
also mixed with a chance to do some kind of official media blitzkrieg
meeting and interviewing some interesting personalities for VT/CPRTV
and visiting some interesting places for a tourism promotion of our
country.
We want to sincerely express our thanks to our dear friend, Josie
Tinimbang of Donnarich Home Healthcare, for her warm invitation for us
to attend her son and daughter-in-law’s (Maribel & Richard) wedding
held in the Philippines (our cover story this month). It was a great
offer that we could not refuse, and will always remember for the rest
of our life. The Tinimbang’s five-day wedding event was simply out of
this world. (Please read the love story and see more wedding pictorial
on pages 47 & 48). To Josie’s wonderful family in Manila (Ate Vicky
and Kuya Jun) for their open-arms welcome, hosting, and offerings of
non-stop eating, laughter, and overnight stays and treats in Tagaytay
and Punta Fuego for their Chicago guests...compliments of Josie, of
course
To the Philippine Department of Tourism, for giving us the opportunity
to visit the two historical provinces of Pampanga and Bulacan and
interview their much-touted culinary experts. What an enjoyable trip
that was made more pleasant by an exotic spa treat at the foot of Mt.
Arayat (Abe’s Retreat Farm) coupled with our comfortable stays at
Holiday Inn Mimosa Hotel at Clark and Dusit Hotel in Manila (read more
on Veronica’s Vibes column and Sarah Lee’s CelebrEATy column). The
highway system toward the north was a total surprise for us, a
world-class highway system that’s even comparable to what we have here
in the U.S. Thank you so much, Vernie Morales, Chicago’s PDOT Director.
More thank you’s to old friends, actually my BFF’s (Best Friends
Forever) Norma Baja and Linda San Mateo, who took turns in entertaining
us, driving us to specific destinations for our appointments and
interviews in the Makati area.
More importantly, to another BFF, Rose and Max Tosino, for giving us a
free rein for the use of their nice condo in Eastwood. Speaking
of Eastwood, this place made me feel like I was young
again--music and entertainment all day and all night long, milling
young people all over just walking chatting, eating, drinking,
businesspeople going about their business, business establishments,
shops, and restaurants (and foreign franchises) right next to each
other, friendly faces all over--it didn’t make me feel lost or scared
because I thought I was back in America sans blonde hairs & blue
eyes. (For an apt description of happy faces and “poverty without
pain, please read Joe Mauricio’s “Objectively Yours” column on page
28).
Rushing back home to catch up with Christmas nitty-gritties and, of
course, for our annual VT/CPRTV Christmas party, was a most laudable
feat for us. We felt like supermen zooming to our destination after
traveling half way around the world, telling ourselves we cannot be
tired and we cannot succumb to jetlag, because we still have to party
some more.
Photo at right, taken by Amie Hana, our Thai
friend, at the VT/CPRTV staff Christmas party. Gift giving was
gloriously handled by Ms. Santa, Robert Chavez of LOL cast, at extreme
left. Cast and friends are also flanking our special guest, Consul
General Blesila Cabrera (stending center).
And, party we did, as you can see in the photo at left (more photos in
inside pages of our hasty Christmas party). Come December 31,
we’ll party our way out of the calendar year 2009, even though nothing
but the last two digits of the date will really change on January 1. In
welcoming the new year, I suggest to raise a toast to yesterday before
stepping off into tomorrow.
As usual, enjoy reading this December issue of VT, as your favorite
columnists always try to bring to you the most interesting topics for
your reading pleasure, more particularly in this time of the year where
we have to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new year with
open arms. 2009 is a fantastic year to remember!
Word of advice: Please try to determinedly stick to your new year’s
resolutions or wishes till the end of the year. Luv ya!
