Christmas Party 2006

.

The function room on the ground floor of the InterContinental Hotel, which in the past went by the name Le Boulevardier , shed its French trappings in favor of the local, taking on a new name, Legaspi Room, presumably after the late Filipino painter Cesar Legaspi. This was the venue of our Christmas Party on Friday, the 8 th of December.

Friday in Makati is always a TGIF day, with the city yuppies celebrating the end of another work-a-week with a night out, spawning massive traffic jams that have become the bane of those who would rather rush home. Last Friday was no exception, which explains why most of us came late and the program, which was supposed to start at 6:30, kicked off an hour later.

Everyone came as bidden—wearing the colors of the season: red, green and gold

Mike Toledo did the honors at prayers. Prayed he: “Through storms that rage around us, in nature, among people and within institutions, take our nation safely into harbor, see us through the devastation and havoc, and bring us to a new day of hope.” He also asked the Lord to remind the more blessed among us of the people's labors, “to help steer our country's future and help them achieve a better life; and to teach government officials, business and civic leaders and professionals “to be faithful to their duties and accept their responsibilities with inspiration and a strong, unwavering will.”

Pres. Conrad Marty delivered a Christmas message that was made intentionally very brief since, he said, no one would listen to him anyway. He welcomed everyone, thanking them for coming “to help make this party one big blast for all of us” and gave due recognition to chair couple Dayal & Bina Nandwani for “putting together all the elements of a good party” and taking care of all the arrangements. He concluded his speech with a Christmas wish — “ May the Holy Infant Jesus, whose birth we celebrate this season, continue to hold you in the palm of His hand, and bless you with the treasures of a good, long, happy and meaningful life!”

Pres. Conrad next presented an award of recognition—a lovely Orlina piece—to Warner Manning who is soon to leave the country for the golden coast of Australia . The glass sculpture is a token a appreciation for the many wonderful things Warner has done for and his generous donations to the Club. The citation read: “ For his significant and invaluable contribution to the Rotary Club of Makati as Director of Community Service for two terms and chairman of the Stepping Stone Committee; for his generous support of our Gawad Kalinga Project in Villa Paraiso, Parañaque; and his dedicated service to and benevolent patronage of the Stepping Stone Learning Center, where he served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for two consecutive years.” Visibly moved, Warner was teary-eyed as he expressed appreciation for the award, which he did not expect at all. Indeed, in his three years with the Club—he joined us in December 2003—Warner has given much to Rotary and the Rotary Club of Makati, not only in terms of the material but also of himself—his time, his talents and his considerable influence.

There was one visiting Rotarian, a guest from our Sister Club, RC Kota K inabalu— PP Kevin Ng, who came bearing a gift for the Club from RCKK—a framed painting of a Borneo Hornbill on dried leaves. PP Kevin is a frequent visitor to Manila .

Dinner was made more appetizing with soft music played by the band, Behind Closed Doors , which dished out music, non-stop, throughout the night—music to boogie to or swing to, or, in the case of PE Pepito Bengzon , croon to. Another surprise number was a Flamenco number by a guest, Ms. Gina Threadwell .

At one point the music was so danceable that soon, everyone was on the dance floor, some dancing with their spouses, others with the pros, a.k.a. dance instructors, a.k.a. DI's.

Interspersed throughout the program were raffle draws that gave the lucky ones an assortment of prizes—a gift certificate for overnight weekend stay for 2 in a de luxe room at The Peninsula Manila, with breakfast at Nielsen's, compliments of David Batchelor , won by Ann Terry Tambunting ; GC for overnight weekend stay for two in a de luxe room at the Intercon Hotel, with breakfast at Jeepney Café, compliments of Christian Pirodon , won by Ann Marilou Alejandro; dinner for two at Kimpura Restaurant, compliments of Peter Ng , won by Ann Mariza del Rosario ; MP3 player donated by PP Freddie Borromeo & Ann Jojo , won by Ann Trina Galvez ; and several other raffle prizes, including a DVD player, donated by Pres.Conrad & Chit Marty , won by Larry Boyer , and Rustan's gift certificates from the Club . One of the Rustan's items went to Early Bird Toto Claravall , while PP Robert Kuan , who arrived at past 11:00PM, received an ang pao containing P1,000 in cash as Late Bird prize. The “best dancers”— Jun & Pina Rojas, PP Tito & Brin Panlilio, Frank Chavez and Rose Galvez —also received cash prizes of P1,000 each. Other donors—cash: Irv Ackerman, Youn Baek, Larry Boyer, PP Tito Panlilio and Mike Toledo ; and in kind: PP Sonny & Terry Tambunting, Tony & Lilibeth Herbosa, Dean Velasco and Dayal & Bina Nandwani . Other raffle winners were PP Fidel Alfonso, PP Sonny Tambunting, Ann Pizza Lou, Pres. Conrad Marty, PP Joe Alejandro, Ann Melanie Laggui, Ann Myrna Adriano, Ann Mickey Tunesi and Ann Chit Marty. .

Sharing emceeing chores were PP Willie Soong, Tesha Garcia and Mely Parungao , while Dayal & Bina Nandwani handled everything from start to finis with the hand of a pro!

It was another enjoyable affair that brought out the best in Rotary fellowship and gave everyone a chance to give vent to their terpsichorean skills. The food was good, the music excellent, the company great!