Updated 07:42pm (Mla time) Aug 02, 2004
By Maurice Arcache
Inquirer News Service
Editor's Note: Published on page D2 of the August 3, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
DID you know that this is the International Year of Rice? Well, palanggas, neither did I till I received an invite to the recent opening ceremonies of the Rice Feeds the World Exhibit at Ayala Malls' Glorietta and Greenbelt shopping centers that Makati hosted.
Since it was not a run-of-the-mill invitation, and being a rice lover (only unpolished red, please), I went and found out this project was developed in France, no less. The exciting, interactive exhibition has something for everybody--kids and adults alike.
"It has already toured several other Asian nations, including Thailand and Myanmar, and will be in the Philippines for a week before going to Vietnam," said former Tourism Secretary, la simpatica, Mina Gabor.
The exhibit features a wide range of colorful and interesting materials. A special section introduces the public to what a rice plant is all about.
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Agricultural Research Center for International Development created the exhibit as part of the ministry's annual, super exciting French Spring cultural activities. It was brought to the Philippines through the French Embassy to mark the International Year of Rice. The Philippine National Rice Research Institute is the secretariat for the yearlong event.
With the slogan "Rice is Life," the international year was declared by the United Nations to increase global awareness of the grain that feeds almost half the world daily, would you believe?
In officially joining the International Year of Rice observance, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, through Proclamation 524, also declared "every November to be National Rice Awareness Month in the Philippines."
Hey, you guys, don't take rice for granted. Love every grain of it, palanggas.
Visit www.philrice.gov.ph/1YRPhil and www.irri.org for more info, year-related contest and activities in the Philippines and internationally.
Theatrical event
Pals of the host took a deep breath and braved the horrendous weekend traffic to be among the first to see the latest masterpiece of the maverick, talented interior designer, Cocoy Cordoba--his very own house in the tres exclusive, tres chic-chic Peninsula de Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas. Popular, good-looking y simpatico, Ignacio Gandarias, Punta Fuego's general manager, hosted the early cocktails at the resort's main clubhouse.
Together with Cocoy's winsome wife, attractive Tammy, and daughter Mimay, Ignacio warmly welcomed the well-heeled invitees from out-of-town and led them to the open, cool veranda from where the fabulous home, with--take note, palanggas--a life-size statue of St. Michael on its domed roof was clearly visible.
Theatrically lighted for the event by Gerry Fernandez of "Miss Saigon" fame, the house looked like an enchanted Moroccan castle. Perched on top of one of Fuego's highest points, it looked like it was floating on a languid sea.
Then out of nowhere, a horseman on a handsome stallion emerged. He handed a flaming torch to Tammy, who carried it to the eternity pool to signal the start of the spectacular fireworks display.
Dinner and entertainment were at the adjacent park called Fuego Point Mimes, where harlequins, fortune tellers, belly dancers and fire-eaters lined the street.
"Aahs" and "Ooh wow!" were heard from guests. Fuego Point was a garden of tents draped in maroons, greens and purples. Trays with tons of grapes, nuts, apples and oranges were scattered all over the park.
The talented Robert Blancaflor of 1816 Flowers created all the masterful table settings. But the piece de resistance was definitely the excellently prepared dinner of authentic, divine, Middle Eastern cuisine from the one-of-a-kind Albergus. Celebrity cakemaker Penk Ching created the fondant cake which was in the shape of the Cordoba house.
The Arriba Band kept the action rocking on the dance floor. Brilliant Rita Neri of the Wedding Store deserves applause for coordinating this mammoth event with efficiency and precision.
Well, dahlings, some lucky invitees like Cebu's grand socialite, Amparito Lhuillier, and Punta Fuego homeowner Jaime Legarda brought home special prizes for having the best costumes, while Fuego's GM, Ignacio Gandarias and Wanda Louwallien were the best belly dancers of the night. All of them received beautiful Bali hammocks for lazing around in their own sprawling gardens.
One thing is sure, palanggas, this house is bound to become a Punta Fuego landmark, a daring, stunning architectural creation that only a true maximalist like Cocoy Cordoba can create.
Bravo, Cocoy!