MANILA, Philippines - Canadian Ambassador Robert Desjardins came to Cebu and presided a three-in-one event at Marco Polo Plaza Hotel. Its clockwork precision and efficiency was due to excellent planning by Canada?s Honorary Consul in Cebu Robert Lee and his lovely wife, Anna Lee.

First was the launch of a Canadian food fest at the Hotel?s Café Marco. A juicy slab of Alberta beef was ceremoniously carved under the supervision of the hotel?s executive chef Luc Gagnon, a Canadian. Solemnly watching were GM Hans Hauri and wife Bo.

A slight drizzle didn?t dampen the mood as people filed out to the poolside garden for the unveiling of an ?Inuksuk.? The stone sculpture is one of many to be found all over northern Canada. They form part of the spiritual and artistic expression of the Inuit people who have inhabited the Arctic for more than 4,000 years. The unveiling was done by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Ambassador Desjardins. Beside them was Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Francisco Benedicto, with his wife, the Honorary Consul General of Turkey in Cebu Leontina Benedicto.

With them were Ray Villar, president of Asia Pacific Top Management International Resources (read that as the Marco Polo in Cebu); and David Gilinsky, founder of the Kalinawa Art Foundation. It has been instrumental in bringing the ?Inuksuk? to Cebu.

The third party of the evening took place at the well-appointed lobby lounge. It was a farewell bash for Ruth Zeisler, the Canadian Embassy?s senior trade commissioner who has completed her tour of duty in the Philippines.

Ruth frequently visited Cebu where she has many friends whom she has told she?d love to return.

Lots of prominent people attended, among them Jack Gaisano of the Metro Gaisano chain of malls, supermarkets and department stores. Earlier in the day he had received Ambassador Desjardins and Ruth at the Metro Supermarket in Ayala Center Cebu. A large area had been specially arrayed with Canadian food products on display.

Excellent wines

Going back to the party, excellent wines from Canada were served. The canapés featured salmon, oysters, and more with Canadian labels. Felix Guanzon, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, was there.

Cathay Pacific?s Connie Cimafranca said they?re having a hail and farewell party at the Marco Polo on July 30. Cebu manager Eddie Kong is leaving, and his successor is Vickie Yeu who once was CX assistant manager in Manila.

Sammy Chioson, Portugal?s Honorary Consul and chairman of the Consular Corps in Cebu, was reminding colleagues about the regular meeting of the group. It will be on July 17 with lunch at the board room of Marco Polo?s top floor.

Consul Robert Lee recalled that last year there was a Canadian cook-off at Shangri-La, and a fund-raising dinner at Marco Polo featuring top Cebu hotel chefs. This year, the cook-off has been a competition with two teams of chefs. One from Cebu, another from Manila.

It was held on board Her Majesty?s Canadian Ship Ottawa, anchored at the Manila harbor. The teams each did a 5-course menu. The Manila team won, having scored high on three dishes, while the Cebu team top scored on two. Good showing, though.

Fund-raising

Participating from Cebu were Alegre Beach?s Martin Przewodnik who is German; Hilton Cebu?s Stefano Verillo, Italian; Marco Polo?s Luc Gagnon, Canadian; Shangri-La Mactan?s Emmanuel Guemon, French; and Waterfront Cebu City Hotel?s Joerg Walter, also German.

We understand the chefs will participate in a fund-raising dinner come September at the Hilton Cebu in Mactan. Spearheaded by Consul and Mrs. Lee, it will raise funds for the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation and Bantay Bata, a project of ABS-CBN. Reservations are going fast. Dinners for four by the alluded chefs will be auctioned off to the highest bidders. Quite a sum was raised last year.