DENMARK?S HONORARY CONSUL IN CEBU Sabino Dapat was recently upgraded to First Class in the Order of the Knighthood of Daneborg. Here to impose the medal were Danish Ambassador Svend Weaver and Counselor Helle Mythue.

Ambassador Weaver said Denmark?s Queen Margrethe II confirmed the citation on her birthday last April, sending a letter to the effect that ?Consul Dapat is doing a great job.? The medal may be worn only in the Queen?s presence, but a miniature for the lapel is provided to wear at official functions.

In his response, Consul Dapat thanked Queen Margrethe for the distinction. Though the award was given some time ago, the presentation depended on when Ambassador Weaver could come to Cebu, as he is based in Kuala Lumpur.

Also, Consul Dapat wanted to coincide the presentation with a regular meeting of the Cebu Consular Corps. ?I want to share this happy occasion with my colleagues,? he stated. The event was held at Salon Madrid of Casino Español de Cebu.

His wife, Jasmine ?Baby? Dapat, was present, and so was Lourdes Cambonga, Cebu Danish Consulate officer. The chairman of the Cebu Consular Corps was present, as were vice chairperson Armi Garcia (Russian Federation), and director Robert Lee (Canada) who came with guests from the Canadian Embassy?Stephen El Azah and Fatima Guzman.

The career consulates were well represented by Consul General He Shiji of the People?s Republic of China, and Japan?s Consul Toshio Okajima, who had a successful heart operation in Tokyo some months back.

There was a good turnout of honorary consuls. Portugal?s Samuel Chioson was with his pretty wife, Israel?s Emily Benedicto Chioson. Sammy is also the president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI). He made arrangements for Ambassador Weaver to meet officers and members of the CCCI.

Also present were the honorary consuls of Austria, Arcadio Alegrado; Belgium?s Enrique Benedicto; Sweden?s Jose Sala; Czech Republic?s Philip Go; Slovak Republic?s Antonio Chiu; and Korea?s Delfin Ordoñez, representing Augusto Go.

Germany?s Honorary Consul Dr. Franz Seidenschwarz and his wife Elizabeth were guests of honor at the opening of Munich Time. That was the German food festival held at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel to celebrate Oktoberfest, which originated in the Bavarian capital 199 years ago.

There was not a ribbon to cut, but giant pretzels to break into substantial morsels were distributed for everyone to sample. Assisting Dr. Franz were the hotel?s general manager Hans Hauri, and Chef Dietmar Dietrich of the Gustavian whose products were in focus during the festival. The breads, sausages and desserts were great.

Culinary journey

For November, the Marco Polo?s ?culinary journey? takes its patrons at the Café Marco to France, with executive chef Luke Gagnon preparing an array of specialties. The festival will culminate with Soiree Beaujoulas Noveau on Nov. 27. Reservations are pouring in already.

The book ?Finding God? published by Anvil has been enjoying brisk sales at Powerbooks in the Atrium of North wing at SM City Cebu. That was the venue for its launch which was quite a gathering of literature buffs.

The book is a collection of true-to-life stories of spiritual encounters by a group of Filipino authors, some of them residing abroad. The stories have been collected and edited by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard and Marily Ysip Orosa, who were both present.

Karina Bolasco, Anvil?s assistant general manager as well as publishing manager, was first to speak during the program, and gave the book?s rationale. Editors Brainard and Orosa also spoke, and mentioned their respective contributions to the book. The stories in general are highly personal, and at times quite emotional. Other writers present were Cebuanas Evelyn Seno and Mayen Tan, and Raquel Balagtas who had words of praise for Brainard.

Cecilia, Baby to friends and relations, is from Cebu and often comes to touch base. She lives in Santa Monica, California, with her lawyer husband Lauren and their three sons.

She is a prolific writer of essays, short stories and novels. She has also edited several anthologies. ?Finding God? is her third collaboration with Marily Orosa. The first was ?Convent Girls,? followed by ?A La Carte: Food and Fiction.? They are thinking of what will be next.

Brainard?s most important novel was first published in the Philippines with the title ?Song of Yvonne.? Like much of her output, it was set in Cebu. For a publication in the United States, the same book was given a new title, ?When the Rainbow Goddess Wept.?

It became a bestseller. ?It is one of the best books I have ever read,? stated Raquel Balagtas. It may be available at Casa Gorordo in Cebu, said the author when asked if there are copies around.

A random enumeration of the other authors who have contributed to ?Finding God? gives us the following: Mila Aguilar, M.G. Bertulfo, Tony Robles, Edgar Poma, Aileen Ibardaloza, Paulino Lim Jr., M. Evelina Galang, Brian Ascalon Roley, Lisa B. Martinez, Felice Santa Maria, Sophia Ibardaloza and Susan Evangelista as Reme Garfalda.