German Ambassador Herbert Jess and his wife Micheline have been busy these past weeks not only packing but attending farewell parties in their honor. Ambassador Jess is now ending his tour of duty in the Philippines.
An amiable and well–liked couple, the Jess’s made many friends during their three short years here and their residence, tastefully reburbished by Micheline herself, was the venue of many a concert of performing artists from here and Germany. In fact, Ambassador Jess who is himself a pianist gave many an impromptu performance after dinner for friends.
A recent despedida dinner was hosted at the residence of Amb. Enrique P. Syquia and his wife Letty. We hear that Ambassador Syquia, a well–respected lawyer, was one of the first friends made here by Amb. Jess because of a common interest in international law.
Co–hosting the dinner were the Syquias, along with Consuls Mellie Ablaza and Fortune Ledesma, Agnes Huibonhua, Nena Casimiro, Nellie Bangzon and Nori Ongsiako.
Over dinner, Amb. Jess regaled his friends with the story that 32 years ago, on that same date as the despedida, a young German (Herbert) took as his bride a beautiful French girl (Micheline) in the beautiful city of Heidelberg. Thereupon, the guests cheered and toasted the couple and clinked their glass, prompting the “groom” to kiss his “bride”.
Definitely the Jess couple will miss their friends, both from the Philippines and other embassies here.
Among their well–wishers were ... Amb. Jan de Kok of the European Union Commission, Chine Amb. Jorge Montero and wife Joanna, Argentina Amb. Mario Schuff and wife Sylvia, Myanmar Amb. U tin Htun and wife Nan, Sri Lanka Amb. Ariya Rekaw and wife Elsie, Merico Amb. Enrique Hubbard and wife Mariana, Thailand Amb. Busba Bunnag, Israel Amb. Yehoshua Sagi, Papua New Guinea Amb. Damien Gamiandu and wife Joane, Suadi Arabia Amb. Mohammed Ameen Wali, Brazil Amb. Claudi Maria Henrique do Couto Lyra, Migeria Amb. Oyebola Kuku and wife Folu...
Ditto, Consul Evie Costa, Dr. Sonny and Helen Ong, Al Casimiro, Rene Ledesma, Chit Gohu, Isidro and Kim Camacho, Narda Camacho, Rafael Hechnova, Tessie Luz, Naty Pappas, Beth Romulo, et al.
It’s a bittersweet fact of life as a diplomat. You say “hello” and then, “goodbye” usually much too soon.
*****
THE GOLDEN GIRL. Maryjo Reyes Feraren has no qualms about “turning the golden age of 50.” Married to former basketball player Bongo Feraren and the mother of four (daughers Twinkle and Happy, sons Gino and Otto), Maryjo believes “50 years” is A–okay.
On top of everything, she manages the Greenbelt Shopping Plaza with a remarkable acumen for business. “Its something that comes naturally to me,” she says, which fact she attributes to her parents Joe and Imelda Reyes (of the Aristocrat Reyes clan) who used to run The Plaza restaurant.
So, to celebrate, Maryjo and Bongo concocted a birthday party typical of her generation, the “Venus in Transit to the Golden Age” from the Age of Aquarius circa the 1970s.
The party was held at the new Pavilion of Wack Wack Golf & Country Club in Mandaluyong with an “ethic– zen” setting with Boracay table settings, lamps and fountain. The menu, catered by The Plaza of her sister Millie Reyes, was healthsome — mostly seafood and vegetarian wth exception of The Plaza specialties fo corned beef, baked Virginia Ham and make–your–own crepes for dessert.
The birthday girl looked like a golden goddess in her golden gown by Dita Sandico Ong.
Happy and Bongo emceed and explained the theme of the party, followed by a charming audio–visual of Maryjo’s 50 years, put together by youngest son Otto. Next came a specially composed rap dance by the rap group T–Crew fronted by son Gino.
Finally, the big event ... a fashion show featuring the neo–ethnic designs of daughter Twinkle and her mentor, designer Dita Sandico Ong, showcasing the contemporary possibilities of banana fiber and Mangyan weaves.
The big surprise was that the models were Maryjo’s relatives and friends — Ning Reyes, Baby and Ning Ampil, Anne Baradi, Iline Limcaco, Geraldine and Liz Aguirre, Aurora and Georgina Wilson, Susean Punzalan, Mila Cabuñag, Nicole and Carla Santos, Tata Poblador, Anne Torres, Girlie Alampay, Lucy Co and Myrna Yao.
We had great fun, specially meeting friends whom I had not seen for the longest time like Ella Reyes Choy who used to work at Hotel Intercon and now runs her own business “Clowning Around” which organizes children’s parties, with her partner Cherry Mapua Osmeña and composer Jose Mari Chan and his wife MaryAnn, Yasmin and Boy Crisostomo ... ditto, Joe Baradi, Dr. Joel Mendez, et al.
Later, we spent the evening singing and dancing to the music of Dr. Larry Mallari’s 8 Track Band which is composed entirely of musical minded dentists like himself.
There’s to be a sequel to the fun event. On Sept. 18 and 19, Maryjo is staging the Theme Party/ Wedding Expo at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, a showcase of bridal services and theme party ideas. Special events include a date game, couture fashion show, gift–wrapping demos and children’s party by Clowning Around.
