Ang Magiting - The Official Web Site of Rotary Club Makati North

Shanghai Nights, Chicken Rice and Durian Feasts… (Part 1)

The walls were decorated with old posters of Shanghai ladies many of who were shown advertising cigarettes or beauty products. The menu cards had similar pictures front and back. Pictures of old Shanghai were mounted on folding screens, a corner was set up with antique Chinese chairs and jars for photo ops and even our ID tags had Shanghai lady pictures at the back. The ambient Chinese and jazz music hailed back to those times.

Photo: Shanghai Ladies: Chic Jessie Lee with her feathers, Daisy dela Torre, Simone Wippern of Kuala Lumpur, First Lady Juliet Tan, First Lady Choi Reaño, Tonie Lingad, Cynthia Magdaraog and Maribel Calma. Check out the old posters of Shanghai Ladies behind us.

Many ladies came in cheongsams and the men were in tuxedos. First Lady Juliet and daughter Janice opted for elegant black gowns while Jessie, the wife of Billy Lee, looked chic in a slinky dress with feathers in her hair and a white feathered fan (see our picture). Our RCMN ladies tried to comply with the theme but our men were allowed to wear their barong tagalogs. (Our delegation was composed of Pres. Joe Reaño & Choi, PP Pabling Calma & Maribel, PP Bert Lingad & Tonie, PP Ric dela Torre & Daisy, Vic Magdaraog & Cynthia, PN Chito Frondoso & Adela Co.)

Photo: Exchange of Gifts with Sister Clubs – Pres. Johnson Tan and Pres. Joe Reaño.

Moderator for the program was PP Mohan Pillay, Ric’s co-President during his term. IPP Sami Midani’s flight was delayed so PP David Ong very ably delivered his valedictory. All of the incoming officers and directors came in tuxedos and put on uniform black and white scarfs and hats as they went up the stage…a la the Shanghai Mafia! Pres. Johnson Tan obviously enjoyed himself as he led his team in a song and delivered his inaugural address. While he will continue service projects including those jointly undertaken with sister clubs, he will also pursue fellowship activities to strengthen the bonds of friendship within RC Raffles City and with sister clubs. They will also continue to support their active Interact and Rotaract Clubs.

Main entertainment was courtesy of Steven and Alice Teng’s daughter Jenine who runs a dance studio and who together with other dancers, performed several lively latin dances. A professional singer also rendered a couple of songs. An auction was also held for two paintings, proceeds for which go to the club’s service projects. Both went for over S$2,000.

Photo: First course – appetizers with lobster! Ric dela Torre, Jessie & Billy Lee, Pabling Calma, Vic Magdaraog, David Ong, Cynthia Magdaraog, Adela Co and Chito Frondoso. Cheers!

We noticed that the meal and program were paced – after appetizers, food service was stopped while the program started; then the program stopped as we resumed eating the main courses, and the program began again before dessert, etc. We thought it was a wonderful way to ensure nobody was hungry and that full attention could be given the program during the speeches and performances and to the food and conversation around the table at mealtime. Good way to settle food in the stomach too before the next round!

Take a look also at their Souvenir Program (Steven Teng’s baby) – lots of ideas to incorporate in RCMN’s souvenir programs. For example there are ad placements to the left of messages where normally all ads are placed after all Rotary materials. The profile of the President Elect is already featured. Another is that pictures of members are taken together with the spouses instead of separate IDs. Also, their district has adopted a Guide to Daily Living that we think is a good reminder and supplement to the 4-way Test.

We all had a good time and took home with us posters, menu cards, and ID cards thanks to Pres. Johnson and Steven Teng…we look forward to replicating their Shanghai Nights here in Manila…perhaps at RCMN’s 35th anniversary???

Next Issue: Finding the best Chicken (Hainanese) Rice, enjoying Ice Cacang/Cendol and feeding frenzy at a Durian feast.