It was just an informal dinner, a despedida for retired ambassador Virgilio Reyes Jr., hosted by Sweden Ambassador Annika Thunborg. Although it was purely social, albeit a celebration of the enduring friendship between Thunborg, her husband Aaron Tovish, a geophysicist and disarmament specialist, and Reyes, the dinner was planned to the last detail.
Thunborg met Reyes and his wife Marie through her future husband in New York in 1991. She was completing her doctorate at the Columbia University School of International Affairs while Reyes was a diplomat in the Philippine Mission to the United Nations in New York. They spent a lot of time together sharing their interest in global issues and topics on security and disarmament.
In 1992, the Parliamentarians for Global Actions (PGA) came to the Philippines for an official visit upon the invitation from some Filipino members. PGA is a nonprofit and nonpartisan international network of lawmakers that aims to promote peace and human rights. The PGA delegation was on its way to attend a summit in Jakarta. Tovish headed PGA’s peace and security program. Reyes, who was then posted at the Department of Foreign Affairs, served as their liaison.
“I tagged along as the girlfriend,” said Thunborg. The PGA members met President Fidel Ramos, Vice President Joseph Estrada, House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., former President Corazon Aquino and other officials.
On the recommendation of Reyes, they took a holiday at El Nido Resort.
Through the years, the couple has maintained contact despite their different country assignments. When Thunborg was assigned to the Philippines in 2021, she and her husband resumed their friendship with Reyes. By then, he had been shuttling between New York and the Philippines.
Diplomatic logistic
A meal at any embassy residence has always been a practical diplomatic logistic between two countries, in the interest of keeping harmonious and productive relationships.
“It is part of diplomatic mission to have a representation in the residence,” explained Thunborg. “That’s why there’s the residence. We are able to create platforms among different people and learn a lot about the country and exchange information for specific purposes—fostering relations to solve or to facilitate a particular issue.”
Citing an example in business, she said, “If there is a focus on energy, we would have a meeting with guests from Sweden. I invite key Filipinos from the public and private sectors. Business conversation over a meal is informal. You can move forward an issue.”
The envoy also organizes graduation ceremonies at the residence for Filipinos who completed short courses in Swedish schools and capacity-building and training program. The residence likewise becomes a venue for interaction with contacts who can possibly help their future.
That night, Reyes, the guest of honor, invited souls from the cultural field and Italy Ambassador Marco Clemente and his wife Maria Rosaria. Italy was Reyes’ last post before he retired in 2014. The hostess was informed of our dietary restrictions and our early departure.
The envoy credited her Filipina chef/residence manager Jane Javier for orchestrating the meals. “I describe the purpose of the event to Jane who comes up with a proposal. I say it’s good or I have comments,” she said.
In the Old World style, the guests met at 6 p.m. sharp and sat in a circle in the living room for drinks and conversation. Reyes gifted guests with his book, “A Memory of Time,” a compilation of his essays on personalities and places. The after-dinner conversation was held at the lanai over coffee and tea.
Old world
At the dining room, we learned about the famous Swedish toast wherein eye contact and a nod to the toasting partner and to everyone at the table were de rigueur. “I normally serve New World wines since there’s a wider selection from Australia,” said the envoy.
Thunborg pointed out that the Swedish tradition of drinking beer is similar to other Northern European countries. “You can toast with Swedish hard liquor, which we call schnapps,” she said.
When Swedish royals and aristocrats imported cuisine from the Continent, wines and special ingredients were integrated into their culture. On Sundays, Swedes enjoyed finer foods such as steak, cod or salmon or Swedish meats or fish cooked the French way.
That dinner started with the homemade wholegrain bread, which Thunborg said, is very Northern European. “We survived with bread before imported potatoes from America. Bread is eaten in every meal,” she said.
We refreshed ourselves with a salad with avocado, which was in season. The main course, salmon with side vegetables and potatoes, represented their culture. “The salmon is usually from Norway, our dear neighbor, which has the best,” said Thunborg. “We work very much in the Nordic context.”
An homage to the host country, the panna cotta dessert was flavored with mangoes. “I always like to have something Filipino or we use a local ingredient,” said the hostess.
In buffets at the residence, the menu will include the Swedish signature meatballs with a creamy sauce and tarty lingonberries, mashed potatoes and pickled cucumber.
While Sweden follows the European etiquette and customs, Thunborg makes sure that guests’ comfort and ease come first. “Just go with the flow,” she said.
