In the course of chasing the news, it is but natural for a journalist to rub elbows with all classes of people – the rich and famous, government leaders, business tycoons, policy and lawmakers – who make the news.

More often, encounters are up close and personal.

But on the first of May, I had an altogether unusual experience: meeting and conversing up close and personal with true blue Royalty.

Yes, Virginia, the experience was totally different, as the closest encounter I had was covering the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei in attendance and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, when Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited the United Arab Emirates. On both occasions, I was working.

I beg your indulgence and allow me to veer away from the weekly inputs on market developments.

While almost all of us were enjoying the mid-week, non-working holiday break celebrating Labor Day, Her Royal Highness (HRH) Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck, the Princess of Bhutan, quietly arrived in the country to grace the inauguration of the De La Salle University Center for Heritage Conservation in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

I was captivated by Her Royal Highness’s simplicity. Because unlike some personalities with a retinue of assistants, HRH Ashi Kesang flew in without fanfare, alone and sans any court lady – a female personal assistant attending to a high-ranking noblewoman.

Princess Ashi Kesang, despite her stature – daughter of the fourth King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck and Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck – is frugal and had no qualms and was comfortable enough to take a budget airline, Cebu Pacific (CebPac), from Bangkok to Manila.

In fact, CebPac Corporate Communications head Carmina Reyes Romero, who painstakingly made sure that the HRH be accorded special care, shared that the Princess was initially assigned a seat close to the back of the plane.

Needless to say, Princess Ashi Kesang was transferred to the first row from her original seat. And all throughout the more than three-hour flight to Manila, there was no demand from HRH. She was asleep. "I have to catch up on my sleep," HRH smilingly explained during our short conversation.

I heard from the airport alley that officials of New NAIA Infra Corp. were on hand to welcome and assist HRH upon her arrival. Salute to NNIC and CebPac.

Now, on the reason for her visit. The Princess was the guest of honor at the opening of the center, or the Camarin Conservation Laboratory, which is a “realization of the long-envisioned mission for heritage conservation, which took root from the insights of former Prime Minister Cesar Virata and was carried forward by Bro. Armin Luistro,” both promoting the “importance of creating a dedicated space for conservation work.”

The transformation of what used to be a modest storage room into a fully equipped conservation laboratory was made possible through the guidance of no less than Master Art Conservator, Ephraim “Eddie” Jose, son of the late National Artist for Literature F. Sionil-Jose, as well as the unwavering support of the Museo De la Salle team and its board of trustees under Mr. Edgardo Chua.

Princess Ashi Kesang and Eddie are friends, their friendship spanning “three generations,” as he was involved in Bhutanese art conservation efforts, specifically of the Thangka painting, and was also the chief conservator for “The Dragon’s Gift: The Sacred Arts of Bhutan” exhibition.

The Princess is the executive director of Bhutan’s Thangka Conservation Center and a scholar of ancient Buddhist scriptural texts and iconography. Thangka painting is a Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton or silk appliqué that usually depicts a Buddhist deity or mythological scenes.

In HRH's own words: “A steadfast advocate for this very cause, whose work exemplifies the importance of heritage conservation. Eddie’s dedication to preservation is not only professional; it is deeply personal.”

“Over the years, I have had the privilege to witness the preservation of my country’s cultural heritage. And I am particularly proud of his remarkable work in Bhutan – the opening of the center in Bhutan, and today one in his beloved home country, the Philippines, is a testament to his love and his belief in preserving not just artifacts but the very soul of our people.”

Moving forward, the aspiration is for the center to “emerge as a national resource and an international center for excellence showcasing Filipino craftsmanship, cultural wisdom, and collective sense of purpose.”

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