Holiday Happenings

Ambassador Frank Benedicto, for the past years now, has always been a gracious host especially to his friends in the media.

Last December, Ambassador Frank hosted a lauriat lunch for the media friends at GrandCon. But this time, he had a special guest, his good friend, DFA Assistant Secretary for the Office of Consular Affairs Atty. Frank Cimafranca, who came with his wife Mrs. Lu Cimafranca. Sec. Frank, still active in the service, was assigned in the Philippine Consulate in Sydney, Australia; Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, Indonesia; Phil. Mission to the United Nations, Geneva Switzerland; Phil. Embassy The Hague, The Netherlands and Philippine Consulate, Dubai. Now, Atty. Cimafranca is based in Manila’s DFA.

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Meanwhile, the ever-gentleman Consul General of PROC Shi Yong, also hosted lunch at Tsay Cheng Room of GrandCon. Selected media members were invited to the pre-Christmas gathering. With Consul General Shi Yong were his assistants – Chief Consul Qin Yong and Consular Attache Jian Weng. Prime mover of the gathering was the efficient PR Ethel Natera.

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On the other hand, Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung played host at a dinner at The Pig & Palm with members of the MSY Club in perfect attendance.

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Radisson Blu’s marketing director Ann Olalo was also our host at lunch at the Feria. Unfortunately, on the day we had our lunch, she had to leave for Manila for a very important meeting, and PR manager Lara Agua took her place instead. We still had fun!

Consul General of PROC Shi Yong (center, seated) with media friends, Lifestyle columnists Jaime Picornell, Chinggay Utzurrum, Nelia NEri, Flor Ynclino, Cookie Newman and guest Terry Manguerra.

Ambassador Frank Benedicto (2nd from right) with special guests DFA Assistant Secretary Frank Cimafranca (standing) and his wife Mrs. Lu Cimafranca. At left are Erick Espina and Bobit Avila.