Your mantra for the week: “When I want change, I change myself.”

 

The Jews celebrate Passover, while the Christians observe Lent. Iamists, in a way, memorialize both occasions: the Passover by emphasizing the passing over from the negative to the positive; and Lent by realizing that our days on earth are lent to us so we may contribute to the greater good of all.

 

Let me share with you 12 “Golden Rules for Living” by Miriam Hamilton Keare:

 

If you open it, close it.

If you turn it on, turn it off.

If you unlock it, lock it up.

If you break it, admit it.

If you can’t fix it, call in someone who can.

If you borrow it, return it.

If you value it, take care of it.

If you make a mess, clean it up.

If you move it, put it back.

If it belongs to someone else, get permission to use it (In Iamism, this also goes for relationships.)

If you don’t know how to operate it, leave it alone.

If it’s none of your business, don’t ask questions.

 

Allow me to add five more rules:

 

If it will make you healthier, eat it.

If it will create wealth for you and others, act on it.

If you can do a loving thing, express it.

If it will encourage and uplift someone’s spirit, say it.

If it will make a better world to live in, do it.

 

No diplomatic protocol

 

I had a delightful evening with Israeli Ambassador Effie Ben Matityau and his wife Lizia Lu at their residence. The occasion was get-together, which the ambassador said was simply an evening with friends with no diplomatic protocol required.

 

As it turned out, the group of Mellie and Louie Ablaza, Betty Chua, Johnny Litton and Cory Quirino warmed up to the newly appointed Korean Ambassador Han Dong-Man and his youthful-looking wife  Jang Soo Kyung.

 

It is hard to believe that four years have passed since the Matityaus’ arrival in the Philippines. Their stay would be a tough act to follow.

 

The Israel-Philippines relationship has deepened through the years, starting in 1939 when 10,000 visas were earmarked for Jews to travel here by then President Manuel L. Quezon. In 1946, the Philippine vote under then President Manuel Roxas completed the 2/3 votes required to separate Israel from Palestine.

 

What defines Filipinos

 

During dinner, Matityau told Han about the four pillars that define Filipinos.

 

The first is, Filipinos always offer you food. Second, they are related to the whole community in one way or another. Third, they sing or dance, or both. And lastly, they love to take pictures of every gathering, small or large.

 

But Matityau was quick to add a fifth and most outstanding pillar: Filipinos are well known for their happy disposition and a hospitality like no other.

 

Spectacular evening

 

My first culinary experience with the international association of gastronomy Chaîne des Rôtisseurs was at Shangri-La at the Fort last year. It was a formal affair, the induction of its new members.

 

But this year’s gathering, at Makati Shangri-La, was more spectacular because it had to live up to its event title, “A Night of Wine and Roses.”

It was set in Makati Shang’s long corridor called the Gallery. A thousand roses filled the long table for 90, the flowers placed in 10 tall glass vases.

 

I must say the pairings were outstanding: Octopus with Tuscany Beans, Carpaccio of Red Prawns, Calvisius Oscietra Caviar with Champagne Lhuillier Brut Rose NV; Lobster Consommé, Black Cod, Baby Squid, Saffron Potatoes also with Champagne Lhuillier Brut Rose NV; Duck Ravioli with Parmesan Cheese matched with Les Terres de Cistelles Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume 2014; Beef Tagliata with Sicilian Caponata coupled with Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 2015; Brie Cheese, Mascarpone and Truffle Herbs Salad paired with Luccarelli II Old Vine Primitivio di Manduria 2015; Raspberry Meringata with Cheesecake Ice Cream accompanied with Freshly Brewed Coffee or Selection of Fine Tea were nothing short of très bon.

 

The Lhuillier Champagne has nothing to do with the Lhuilliers, Michel and Amparito, who was her usual glamorous self that evening, as was Anna Sobrepeña, a Chaine member.

Federico “Freddie” Borromeo was the very happy and busy Bailli of the Bailliage de Manille, with his pretty wife Josephine assisting him.

 

Engaging exchanges

 

The gustatory fare was made even more delectable because of the lively conversation with guests around us, including Chaine members Gunter Matschuck, Ruben Valerio with charming wife Mimi, Larry Chan with son-in-law Jan Wesley Cobankiat, who was seated beside Jan Claude Rene and his beautiful wife Aurelie.

 

Chan has been dubbing your favorite teleserye, whether Korean, Mexican, and now even local formats for export to other countries. He was proudly endorsing Dr. Tan from Tondo, who specializes in Eastern medicine and claims that, just by holding your pulse, he can identify what ails you.

 

Valerio commented, “I don’t want to see him. He might tell me that I am suffering from a certain disease, which will worry me to no end and be the cause of my demise.”

 

Diagonally across us were Sonny and Terry Tambunting, with Sonny claiming, “I do not belong to the rich Tambuntings, but to the good-looking ones only.”

 

I assume this is by virtue of his mother being the legendary movie star Mila del Sol.

 

Ironically, the one who is into Dr. Tan is Robert Kuan, chair of Saint Luke’s Medical Center. Now try figuring that out.

 

Marly Laraya and Shirley Soriano were the two pretty bachelorettes who were inducted that evening.

 

Kudos to Freddie and Josephine Borromeo for the very successful event! Eating has never been so pleasurable —what a royal treat!

 

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