With clothes, the newer, the better; with friends, the older, the better.†This Chinese proverb aptly describes longtime friends who jetted in recently from Europe and the US.
Monet Recio Schemm has been away from the Philippines for some time. We met at the old Hyatt Regency Hotel in the early 1970s when she worked in the social directress office with Chito Madrigal. She then moved abroad to work in several luxury companies. Still reed thin and funny, she finally retired a few years ago, living in a beautifully renovated Roman apartment near the Vatican with her husband Mike Schemm. However, Monet will now find herself coming here more often because her son Mikhail has relocated to the Philippines after eight years in London. This goodlooking young man wants to explore his Filipino roots with a strong desire to be able to speak Tagalog.
Venice and Greece-based Sandie Palou Schwartzbaum always makes it a point to come home yearly. Even after living abroad for more than half of her life, this gracious lady is a Pinay at heart. Nothing gives her more joy than to savor our luscious fruits and kakanins. Sandie and her husband Paul have an extremely good eye for fine art and have been known to help international collectors in fine-tuning their artworks.
Paris-based Susan Galicia Mitry decided that it was time to visit and volunteer when she saw the devastation wrought by the recent disasters that hit the Philippines. This kind-hearted lady was accompanied by her husband and son (JL and Vincent), as they worked closely with a couple of charities in the Bohol area. When back in France, Susan is everyone’s favorite guide for religious destinations and pilgrimages.
Tunting Cruz Matters is a lawyer who can practice in the US and the Philippines. Extremely witty, she keeps everyone in stitches with her humorous remarks. Currently based in Memphis, Tennessee, she has a beautiful home serving wonderful Southern hospitality.
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