A couple of weeks ago Former President Fidel V. Ramos (FVR) was in town to give a speech. And TD had the privilege of being his “close in.” TD picked him up at the airport in the wee hours of the morning and got home at 3 am then was up again to pick up FVR at 5am for his 6am golf game with some Ambassadors. TD was really amazed that he was able to play golf with only one hour of sleep… and they even played the first couple of holes under the rain. Wow what energy! Anyway on his last evening I was lucky enough to be invited to the small dinner for him at Crystal Jade.
FVR no longer smokes, but out of habit he carries around cigars and then just chews on them. I think he quit more than a decade ago. Crystal Jade in Pacific place has meal sets for groups of people and this makes it so easy to order for a group. We started with super yummy sweet and sour soup then had some sweet n sour fish, pecking duck, chicken and mushroom, black pepper pork chops and my favorite dish in crystal jade, salted egg prawns. (I recommend asking them to shell the prawns next time)
Then we had coffee at Liberica Coffee because, surprisingly, Crystal Jade doesn’t offer anything except Chinese Tea. Good thing too coz FVR and his aide (his 21 year olf grandson) were able to try the Kopi Luwak (or civet cat poop coffee haha!).
What an unforgettable night full of humor and laughter. FVR is so charming and witty and we were lucky to have spent the evening being regaled with all his stories and jokes. I feel fortunate that I was invited to this dinner. Another DiploMoment that I will never forget.
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Hi, hey the guy wearing a black shirt. I know him. I forgot his name but, i Met him in when I was living in Singapore. He works with the Philipippine Embassy in Singapore and worked with him during the elections back in 2010. He now is based in Jakarta?
:).