There is a definite Asian slant to the interiors, as seen in the array of Oriental artefacts scattered around the flat

Photos from trips to Gambia are displayed in the consul’s office

“I know these are unusual,” Huibonhoa admits when she points out the contr ast. “But I like to keep things interesting by hanging up artworks that can serve as conversation pieces.”

Indeed, this can also be seen in the small gallery that occupies one wall of the room that serves as the consul’s office. Here, it is the surrealists who seem to have made themselves at home: the work of maestro Salvador Dali joins more contemporary pieces by Andres Barrioquinto, Rodel Tapaya, Juvenal Sansó, and the later, more abstract paintings of Alfonso Ossorio. These add an interesting and colourful touch to a simple room that calls to mind the interiors of French Indochina with the white shutters at the windows and elegant desk, another element that serves as a throwback to Huibonhua’s ancestry.

Despite the fact that this is wher e she works as opposed to where she lives, Huibonhoa has brought a bit of festive sparkle to her consulate as the holiday season draws near. A tree bedecked with botanical ornaments and fairy lights stands in the sitting room, blending right in with the floral artwork on the walls and the fresh-cut flowers that sweeten the atmosphere. Glittering centrepieces rest upon the dining table—a welcoming touch for anyone who comes in. It would not be going to far to say that this space is a reflection of the consul herself: elegant yet approachable, a well-travelled soul who brings the best of the world home.