Managing the "new" hotel by the Manila Bay is Accor, a European leader in travel, tourism and corporate services.

To make these things known to the locals, the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila was launched with much ado and plenty top brass. Accor Asia Pacific flew in the big brass led by Michael Issenberg, managing director, and Patrick Basset, VP of operations.

Heading the Philippine Plaza Holdings board were … president Oscar Salvacion with directors Kazumori Ichibashi, Koji Youshimoto, Patrick Lee, Leo Verdolaga, and Gen. Jose Magno.

Gracing the opening were the likes of Senator Dick Gordon with his wife Kate, a large group of envoys — French Ambassador Gerard Chesnel, German Amb. Axel Weishaupt, Japanese Amb. Ryuichiro Yamazaki, Panamanian Amb. Juan Felipe Pitty, Saudi Arabian Amb. Mohammed Ameen Mohammed Wali, Sri Lanka Amb. Wijekoon Mudiyanselage, British Amb. Peter Beckingham with their spouses.

Also seen were … Jose Rodriguez, director of Instituto Cervantes, Olivier Dintinger of Alliance Francaise, Richard Kunzel of Goethe Institut Manila and Austrian Trade Commissioner Walter Hofele.

One big happy group were … Philippine Amb. Victor and Connie Garcia, the honorary consuls … Tony Rufino, Vicente Carlos, Mellie Ablaza, Fortune Ledesma, Helen Ong and Evie Costa… ditto — Jorge and Stella Araneta, Nedy Tantoco, Justa Tantoco, Jun and Nene Leonor..

Tourism officials included Undersecretaries Edu Jarque and Oscar Palabyab, Asst. Sec. Cynthia Carrion, Rosvi Goetos of DOT Japan, and tourism folks — SEAIR president Avelino Zapanta, Air Philippines president Patty Chiong, Dading Clemente, president of Tourism Federation, Toshiro Morita of Japan Airlines.

In the business crowd were… former CB governor Jaime C. Laya, PCCI president Samie Lim, BPI president Gigi Montinola, China Bank vice chairman William Go and Cesar Virtuosio of Desdrner Bank. Press Usec. Rolly Reyes was with the media folks.

Sofitel showed Manilans a glimpse into how the French love to party by staging a grand soiree in three venues … first, cocktails at the tres chic "Le Bar," the newly renovated lobby lounge which now fetures a bistro, patisserie and music lounge.

Then the guests were led by moving "statues" and by models to the Grand Plaza ballroom for a five–course French dinner — terrine of alsace gooseliver laced with marsala, Pernod and tomato aspic, Lobster ravioli on brochette of Pacfic scallopsand smoked tuna in parsley cream.

For intermission, a flying "waiter" entertained the guests with his acrobatics. Next came a surperisin sorbet of passion fruit and Early Grey, the main entree of fillet of angus beef with crepes, and finally, dessert of Swiss mougat praline parfait in orange sauce.

The wines (French, of course) flowed and the entertainment was fabulous which included inernational jazz artists — Grammy Award winner Dianne Schuur and Janis Harrington, and the Power Dance black theater show.

Toursim Secretary Ace Durano joined French Amb. Gerard Chesnel and Sofitel Philippines Plaza GM Bernd Schneider in a toast. Then the party moved on to the Poolside Garden for more drinks, more fun and fireworks over the bay.

*****

BY THE WAY… Birthday greetings this week go to — my dear friend Charo Apacible, art writer Margie Baterina, antiques collector/author Mike Santos, travel writer Josie Pasricha, Amy Gustilo Lopez, today, March 26; food columnist/ chef Lydia Castillo, Norma Baja (in New York), artist Cesar Zalamea, Geena Zablan of Heritage Hotel, March 27; TV exec/host Tina Monzon Palma of Bantay Bata, hotelier Miguel Cerqueda, March 29; artist Al Perez, Viena Fores, March 30; travel writer Christine Dayrit, Charisse G. Chuidian of Mandarin Oriental Manila, PR man Ben Afuang, Johnny "Midnight" Joseph, my dear brother Reggie V. Soliven (in New Jersey), March 31; my STC classmate Esperanza Yap, April 1… To medidate on the true meaning of Holy Week, read the Gospel of John, chapter 3. Take time out to pray, fast and pray some more. Our country needs it!