“All officers are cordially invited to attend the ‘vin d'honneur’ for the diplomatic corps tomorrow morning…”, crackled the Department’s P.A. system.
“That’s vin d’rful!”, I replied. “I’ve never been to vin!”
Well then! Vin with the show!
The vin d'honneur is how Hollywood usually depicts the diplomatic experience: Palaces, High Officials, protocol, formalwear, small talk, hor d'oeuvres, toasts, calling cards. It's also a legitimate excuse to drink before lunch.
What does it take to be a Philippine FSO? You have to rock the barong, hold your liquor, have poor eyesight, and part your hair flat and to the right.
Two things I learned at the vin d'honneur buffet table: 1) the ensaymada at Malacanang is the best ever; and 2) media cut in line.
A batchmate catches me in paparazzi mode (and yet note my cool, suave hand-in-pocket-weight-on-one-leg stance; you can't teach that level of sophistication)
I liked their centerpieces: fresh sampaguita medallions hanging off what appears to be a crazy long cocktail glass filled with ice topped off with roses and some sort of local fruit (must check diplomatic handbook if it's wrong to want to munch on centerpieces).
At event's end, VIPs get picked up at the doorstep by lined-up limousines...
...while us diplomatic dregs hoof it out the gate and catch a taxi =)
There you have it. Glad you could read my blog. It's vin great! Next post d'honneur before Saturday the 26th!
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