BELOW THE LINE

By AMBASSADOR JOSE ABETO ZAIDE 

It was the talk of the chattering nabobs when Louie Ablaza, the honorary consul of Tanzania, celebrated another decade last year. Shakespeare never repeats. But this one tries harder.

Louie's better-half Mellie Ablaza (the honorary consul of Guatemala) and their son Jun-Jun again conspired last Sunday, July 8, to invite nears and dears to mark Louie’s debut (18 spelled backwards) at their Tagaytay hideaway.

A 10 o'clock mass started later (with indulgence for latecomers motoring from Manila). Fr. Alfredo Pije Rollon Jr.’s homily about three bamboo shoots who resolved to grow up to serve a fully purposeful life:

• The first bamboo discovered that it would be made into a throne, and served at the place of honor for the King.
• The second was fashioned into a frame to hold a religious painting of a sainted archbishop, which was venerated by the pious.
• The third bamboo was disappointed: It was made into a simple conveyor for spring water, a common utilitarian facility. But when the kingdom was visited by drought, it slaked the thirst of the entire populace!

The message: Every one of us has a place in creation, and we should fulfill it to the best of our abilities and to the greater glory of the Almighty.

After the mass, we walked to the newest edifice for breakfast prepared by Chef Jessie on the ground floor is a stable of 30 vintage cars; above is a gallery of Mellie’s high-fashion (mostly by couturier Steve de Leon) and sartorial fantasies by Jun-Jun, including Japanese print appliques on denim wear.

The motorcars included early VW Beetles  --  Louie’s initial collection began when he was (relatively) poor.  He explained his affinity to VW which started production in 1938 (coincidentally also the year of his birth). They shared reliability and Engineering: VW didn’t break down; is air-cooled so no over-heating  --  like the collector who is also reliable in business, social, or personal dealings. The stable includes famous marques that would make any collector drool.   The piece de resistance is a Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, envisioned not for profit, but to show the technological advancement and ability of Bugatti.

Louie underscored that his stable of 30 motor vehicles is a GARAGE, and NOT A MUSEUM. Museum cars may not run; but Louie’s collection can all race to Tagaytay. “Old but operational,“ he said, adding for bragging rights that anyone can also ask Mellie about him, who is “also old, but ‘operational!’".

Proof that he is a serious hobbyist, Louie said his VWs have won 18 trophies. But the “Grand prize to win the heart of his beloved Amelia...knowing that she would hear the roar of and welcome the persistent weekend long-distance suitor.” He concluded in 1965 his last race and the chase when his VW Karmann Ghia won his 19th race from Manila to Manaoag and his greatest prize, Amelia!

Guests were dressed to the nines because protocol asked women to come with the most imaginable hats ala Gatsby  --  ambassadors and their better halves and the Consular Corps (a scintillating group who make a posting in Manila such a delightful experience.) The latest to join the congregation was our new UN representative, the ambassador-designate Atty. Jose Robles and his wife Mme. Nora Robles.

Remembering the cachet that Filipinos “could sing before they could talk, dance before they could walk,” there was Paul Clark whose “O Sole Mio,” “Granada,” etc., reminded oldies of Mario Lanza.   (He also sang a moving “Our Father” at the mass.  Effortless at reaching high notes, he is a rare tenor fortissimo).

Violinist Marcy David’s “Portrait of My Love” and “Somewhere in Time” were spell-binding show-and-tell. And the five-time World Champion of Performing Arts, Jake Juleous Brian Agudo Cagang, performed memorably Vivladi’s “Winter of Four Seasons,” “Moon River” and “Waka-Waka” (Shakira).

After the class acts, Chef Jessie surprised everyone at lunch with her Car Racing Menu. Guests tripped the light fantastic to music that I remember, and newer ones that we would have first impressions of. Like gourmets leaving the table but still wishing for more, we left while the music was thumping. What might the Ablazas think of next year?

Raul Sunico said that the vintage cars were marvelous to behold. But he wished they were spread around and everywhere  -  the better to appreciate provenance and individual story.  (But that would have required a kilometric garage?)

My own plaint is that it took us 1 ½ hours to reach the Ablaza retreat and three hours to make it back home.  Perhaps Louie and Mellie could adapt the pleasurable excursion next time by moving the noonday event to evening. If only the oldies could postpone their bedtime.

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