Swiss music over fondue and raclette

Swiss music over fondue and raclette

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Category: Envoys & Expats

31 May 2014

Written by Suzette Jessica

In Photo: SwissAmbassador Ivo Sieber (right) and Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission Raoul Imbach (all photos by Stephanie Tumampos)

WHEN we think of Switzerland, we think of watches, chocolates and its banking system. Rarely do we think of culture and the arts. This mindset is about to change with the creation of the Swiss Cultural Fund Philippines.

Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber said the fund was created “to foster cultural exchanges between Switzerland and the Philippines. It will give the people of the Philippines more opportunities to discover Swiss artists and get acquainted with Swiss culture, while Swiss artists will get to appreciate Philippine culture and, where possible, create synergies.”

The fund is sponsored by Swiss companies, which are active in the Philippines. Presently, sponsors to the fund include Nestlé, Bühler and Swatch.

Ambassador Sieber said there are 5,000 Swiss nationals in the Philippines, making it one of the largest Swiss communities in Asia. On the other hand, there are about 20,000 Filipinos in Switzerland.

He said the fund would give the citizens from both countries an opportunity to discover each other’s culture.

The Swiss Cultural Fund Philippines was officially launched during a VIP event at the Swiss Ambassador’s Residence on May 26. The launch coincided with a private concert by Swiss jazz artist Claude Diallo, who was in the country last week for a series of concerts.

On the other hand, the fund was introduced to media in a private get-together held at the residence of Swiss Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Raoul Imbach, who also happens to be a multitalented musician. Imbach, who is performing in a concert at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium today at 6 p.m., is known in the diplomatic circle here and abroad as the “Singing Diplomat.”

It was an intimate gathering that gave media a chance to chat with Ambassador Sieber and Counselor Imbach on all things Swiss. In fact, much of the talk that afternoon centered on Swiss food, particularly raclette, as the diplomats talked about this delicacy to the guests.

Ambassador Sieber says almost all homes in Switzerland has a raclette machine of some kind, since the dish of melted cheese, boiled baby potatoes, cocktail onions and gherkins is a must in all Swiss gatherings, along with that other staple, cheese fondue. And there were more culinary discoveries that afternoon, including roesti, pan-fried shredded potato pancakes.

Imbach wears a lot of hats; he is not only a diplomat and musician, he is also a restaurateur, having run a restaurant during his assignment in Bolivia. In the short time that he has been in the Philippines, he has picked up enough Filipino to integrate the language into his compositions. The audience at his Rizal Park show will surely be enthralled by his romantic compositions, the same way he has charmed his audience around the world.

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'Paris in Springtime' enthralls Cebu

‘Paris in Springtime’ enthralls Cebu

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Category: Envoys & Expats

17 May 2014

Written by Suzette Jessica

In Photo: MPPC Drector of Sales and Marketing Lara Constantino, Eva Gullas and Stephen Aznar

The visionary Marco Polo Plaza Cebu (MPPC) general manager and Marco Polo Hotels, Philippines area general manager Hans Hauri and wife Bo

CEBU’S crème de la crème came dressed to the nines for the gala dinner and induction of new members of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Baillage de Cebu held at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu on March 22.

Gwen Garcia, Bo Hauri and Tessie Javier

Dottie Cronin with MPPC hotel manager Julie Najar

Founded in Paris in 1950, the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is devoted to promoting the art of fine dining and preserving the sense of camaraderie and pleasures of dining at the table.

The hardworking couple leading the Philippine chapter of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs: Bailli de Cebu, Bailliage de Cebu Amparito Lhuillier and husband, Conseil Magistral and Bailli Delegue, Baillage National des Philippines Michel Lhuillier

It was a glamorous event spearheaded by Conseil Magistral and Bailli Delegue, Baillage National des Philippines Michel Lhuillier and his lovely wife Bailli de Cebu, Bailliage de Cebu Amparito Lhuillier, together with the Marco Polo team, led by General Manager and Marco Polo Hotels, Philippines Area General Manager Hans Hauri.

Paris came to life during the spectacular affair as Marco Polo Plaza Cebu’s main lobby was teeming with beautiful flowers and even had a miniature version of the famed Eiffel Tower

It was an event never seen in Cebu, as the hotel’s lobby was transformed into a Parisian cityscape complete with a replica of the Eiffel Tower in the background. The event’s theme was “Paris in Springtime,” one of the most beautiful time of the year to be at the French capital.

Fernanda Lopez with Carlos Alapont

Carlo Sainz with Jaqueline Tan

As guests enjoyed a lavish dinner, performances by Austrian pianist Franz Langer and opera singer Christa V.D. Kruit-Hemetsberger and Follies de Mwah entertained them. As an added attraction, renowned fashion designer Cary Santiago presented his creations. At the end of the evening, the band Dogs and Butterfly played standards and rock ’n’ roll hits as guests danced the night away. Richie Mendoza, one of Cebu’s top events organizer and wedding coordinator, directed the show.

Cecilia and Jaime Picornell with Spanish food consultant Gema Pido

Racil and Bayani Atup

Indeed, nothing could be more romantic than Paris in springtime, and the Chaîne had all its 120 guests muttering “Ooh la la” the whole night.

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