Volume 39, Number 15
Partyline
I’m starting out this column at a Seattle’s Best coffee shop on one of the outdoor terraces of the beautiful Mediterranean-style Greenbelt Mall in Makati, Manila. I just walked through the huge, well-landscaped gardens (ponds, waterfalls, Philippines-inspired statues, and so much greenary). The Ayala family, who is behind many of the Philippines’ most awesome developments, love and respect nature. You’ll see this in any of their many projects. I also joined the many locals at the mall chapel for a bit of meditation. It’s an inspiring building to say the least.
I took Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight 431 from Narita at 9:30am, Sunday, July 6th. There was good food, attentive service, and all kinds of in-flight entertainment. As I really didn’t sleep the night before, I pretty much passed out for the four hour and forty minute flight. As there’s a one-hour time difference, I landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 1:15pm.
Immigration and custom formalities were fast and courteous and I hopped in an airport taxi; Sunday traffic was light and I was in my room at the Manila Pavilion (by Luneta Park) in less than half an hour. As always, I fell in love with the dog—a black Labrador—at the hotel entrance. Once Benji (that’s his name), the one-and-a-half year-old dog had sniffed my bags, he offered me his paws—first the left and then the right—welcome to the Philippines! The weather was nice, so I caught some rays and a bit more sleep by the hotel pool.
On Thursday, July 10, I spent a few hours at the Eye Referral Center near Lunetta Park where I had my semi-annual checkup. Thanks to a good friend I discovered the center, one of Imelda Marcos’ projects, a few years ago. At that time, my timing was right. At the entrance, I got my VIP pass (that’s always nice) and went upstairs to the light, bright, well-equipped examination room, got the preliminary exams, and met a super young eye specialist, Dr Perfecto Cagampang. In our session, I discovered that Doy (his nickname) is an encyclopedia of information on his country. He’s always smiling, has a great personality, and has become a good friend who has helped me discover lots of off the beaten path adventures in his colorful and exciting country. If you visit Manila, drop by and see Doy. The center has the latest equipment, the staff are really friendly and professional, and it costs a fraction of what you’d pay here. The center is located at 430 TM Kalaw. St. Ermita, tel. 525-9360.
Before flying back on Saturday, July 13th in the afternoon I relaxed in PAL’s VIP lounge at Terminal Two at the Ninoy Aquino Airport. Once again, traffic was light and immigration/check-in procedures were fast. I always enjoy PAL’s VIP lounge and the staff, many who I know by now, are really great. You can relax in the comfortable leather furniture, watch different films on one of the large TV monitors, or get a massage in a mechanical massage chair that really works!
What really surprised me in these days of cost cutting everywhere is the lounge’s buffet. As a PAL guest you have a big variety to chose from; there’s my favorite—the local Arroz Caldo porridge, cream of corn soup, dim sum, pasta, meatballs, salads, sandwiches (Adobo, beef burgee, smoked chicken with cream cheese, and pork with pineapple), sushi, fresh fruit, and mango crepes. In addition to all that, there’s just about any kind of drink that anyone could ask for. Needless to say, I pigged out so I had to pass on the truly good in-flight meals on my trip back.
I’ll have more about all the new happenings in Manila soon, for now it’s back to our city’s busy social scene.
Embassy Events
Over at the Austrian Embassy residence, Ambassador Jutta Stefan-Bastl, her husband Peter Stefan, and Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo KK President Hideya Okamoto hosted a reception on the occasion of the retirement of Dietmar Spranz. He’s been the President and Master of the Austrian Mint for ten years. The special evening included a welcome speech by the Ambassador, greeting speeches by Mr. Spranz and Mr. Okamoto, and a toast by Hoseki No Tamaya President Fukabayashi.
Glitz and glamour were added to the event by a gorgeous model wearing a solid gold dress in the Philharmonic Gold Coin Fashion Show. After the show there was a superb buffet of Austrian food where guests had the opportunity to get to know each other better.
There was lots of class, as well, when Infinity Creations’ Atul Parekh and his partner, noted jewelry designer Kazuo Ogawa, hosted several days of opening receptions for their new venture, ‘Golden Door.’ The salon for culture, couture, and coiffure is, as I knew it would be, unique and the epitome of good taste.
Kazuo had his wife, daughter, and two sons helping there and talk about nice people! I, of course, feel the same way about Atul’s remarkable family; his wife Hema was in Mumbai finishing another book on vegetarian cooking, his son, Alok, who’s here now, was in London at that time, and daughter Ayesha was in New York City, where she works for Lehman Brothers. Others I met when I was at the Golden Door included Sanjeeva Gupta and his chic wife Rashim. Sanjeeva recently joined Shinsei Bank as one of their top executives.
The Golden Door is located on the first floor of Plaza Edogawabashi at Sekiguchi 1-23-6, Bunkyo-ku, tel. 03-3228-0028. It’s actually behind the Chinzan-so Gardens and Four Seasons Hotel.
There is lots of upscale development in the area now and Atul has promised me a report later.
It was yet another enjoyable evening at the home of the Peruvian Ambassador Hugo Palma and his wife Kirsten. The occasion was to celebrate Peruvian-Japanese Friendship day.
As with anything the Palmas do, the interesting people, superb Peruvian buffet, and warm ambiance added up to a thoroughly laid-back and enjoyable evening. I did take time out to check out a huge book on Colombian festivals on one of the tables there. As an anthropology major, I now have so many more reasons besides visiting one of the world’s wonders—Macchu Pichu—to get myself to Peru.
Hilton Happenings
I’ve had the good fortune and privilege of having a good working relationship with Hilton Hotels for many years. Even so, it never ceases to amaze me how those at Hilton Tokyo never slow down and always come up with something new and exciting. The recent renovations include the new Executive Suites, the Executive Lounge, the Marble Lounge, the gym and pool area, and the addition of a chic chocolate boutique. It’s easy to see why the hotel was recently awarded four pavilions (‘order of comfort’) and two stars for their acclaimed French restaurant Twenty One in the Michelin Guide Tokyo 2008.
Hilton has reached new heights with the opening of the 506-room Hilton Niseko Village located at the base of the magnificent 1,309 meter Mount Annupuri in Hokkaido. The full-service, deluxe Hilton-managed hotel is Japan’s premiere mountain resort offering unparalleled year-round winter and summer outdoor activities in an unbeatable location.
Hotel facilities include indoor and outdoor onsens, a spa, fitness center, and a huge—the largest in Japan—lobby fireplace where you can relax after a full day of fun activities. These include a superb ski area, golf, horseback riding, fishing, ropes courses, white water rafting, and adventure options. As in all Hiltons, the guest rooms are comfortable, completely equipped, and tastefully decorated.
There is a wide variety of restaurants and bars serving both western and Japanese food. The media had the opportunity to enjoy some of the Hokkaido specialties (yogurts, salads, soups, cheeses, etc.) at the reception after the Hilton Niseko Village press conference at the Hilton Tokyo recently. It was all so delicious and so healthy. I hope to spend a few days at Niseko Village soon. For more info, visit www.hilton.co.jp or www.hiltonworldresorts.com. Meanwhile, I really recommend you check out the Hilton Niseko Village yourself. I know it’s very special.
On the Move
I just got a nice postcard from Sonia Striegel who is really enjoying a summer break on one of the Philippine’s most beautiful islands—Palawan. In addition to island hopping, Sonia took a boat down the awesome underground river there. I stayed at the fabulous El Nido resort near Palawan a few years ago. That was a super getaway. Sonia and her husband Frank are both very popular teachers at St. Mary’s. He spends much of his spare time working as a counselor with boy scouts. The Striegel’s older son Frank Jr.’s recent travels included some time in Vietnam, which “he really enjoyed.” Their youngest son, Mark, a champion wrestler has been back for school holidays. He attends classes at the University of San Diego.
Sumo champ and entertainer Konishiki and his gorgeous wife, Chie, were back from Hawaii for a month. During their stay in Japan, there was a big welcome party for them at Konishiki’s restaurant Unbalance near Tokyo dome. I’ll have photos from that really fun event later. Konishiki, who weighed about 670 lbs has lost a lot and plans on losing more. He returned to Hawaii in late June and sponsored a big charity party near his and Chie’s home on Wainae Beach near Honolulu. It was a first on that side of the island and about 650 people gathered for a day of food, music, fun, and games. My thanks to the always helpful Executive Support International Executive Director Michael Ghiglione, Bill and Charo Ireton, and others who donated prizes for the charity. There are a lot of good people out there.
Congratulations
To construction and development tycoon Minoru Mori, who celebrated his birthday on July 14th. I saw Minoru and his wife Yoshiko at US Ambassador Thomas Schieffer’s, and as always, he had a great golf (I think) tan.
Also to HIH Princess Takamado, one of the most capable and hardest working ladies I have the privilege of knowing. She’s always involved in so many worthwhile projects, but there is just no space to list them all here.
Anyway, the Princess’ oldest daughter Tsuguko is back after finishing her studies at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and on July 22 her daughter Noriko turned 20, which makes her an adult here in Japan. The late and truly great Prince Takamado has so much to be proud of.
For fun, color, excitment and pure energy take your kids to the magical Muscle Musical 2008. You’ll enjoy it and they’ll love it. The show runs through September 7 at the Shibuya Muscle Theatre across from the Shibuya Ward office. See http://m-m2002.com for details.