A week before December 15, I was informed that I will be hosting the program for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ladies’ Circle Coffee Morning that’s hosted by the Philippine Embassy along with one of my husband’s colleagues. Eeeep!
Though I’ve been doing hosting on the side while I was still in Manila (been doing it since I was 13 as it was a great way to earn extra money), I found myself excited and a bit nervous. Coffee mornings for ASEAN ladies are usually a great venue to promote country as a tourist destination. I’m huge advocate of promoting our islands to people especially since we’ve been getting some bad press. Some have basis while the others were written by travellers who just found themselves in the wrong places at the wrong season. So I really wanted to do well in this gig.
And two – if I mess this up, I won’t be just an embarrassment to myself but to my husband as well! It was even our Ambassador who picked me to host. So if I mumble or call someone by the wrong name or if I trip while hosting – arrrgh. I would end up beating myself up so bad. I hate disappointing people – especially those who have so much faith in me. (Thanks so much sir! :D)
In the end… It went pretty well. Whew! So all my worries disappeared by the end of that event. Thank goodness that the past 6 months that we spent in KL – where I was considered pretty idle – didn’t make me rusty. Most of the ladies even approached me after the event to tell me that I did a good job. That meant a lot to me since just days before the event, I was already having dreams wherein I mess it up because I haven’t been hosting and even reporting in front of a camera/crowd in months! Oh, and since it was my first time to do a hosting gig in Malaysia, this is really an event that I will never forget. 😀
Before I get to the rest of the event photos, here’s an #OOTD:
http://instagram.com/p/wm8pwciqQL/?modal=true
Wore a Barong Tagalog as a top. It’s usually guys who wear the Barong Tagalog while women wear Baro’t Saya. But as times changed, women have also started wearing the Barong Tagalog. I love wearing men’s clothes like suits and boyfriend shirts so it’s no surprise that I also love wearing the Barong Tagalog with skirts of different lengths and colours for various events. 😀
The skirt, meanwhile, is a modern take on the T’nalak, a special kind of cloth woven by the women of the T’boli tribe in South Cotabato, Philippines. The T’nalak is rather mystical as the patterns the T’bolis weave come from their dreams and they believe that the cloth they make is blessed by the spirit of the abaca. So no one can cut the cloth without saying a prayer to it cos if you do, the cloth will be cursed! Pretty interesting, right? And don’t worry. The person who sold me the T’nalak prayed to the cloth before cutting it to my desired length for a pencil skirt. I love this skirt so much, I’ve worn it a couple of times already. The first time was during the ASEAN Law Association’s gathering here in KL where we were also asked to wear something that represents our country. Instead of going for a Baro’t Saya or the terno, I opted for a simpler, modern take on a Filipiniana dress by pairing this tribal skirt with a top. It’s all about mixing and matching. 😉
Do let me know what you think of the outfit! 🙂
Ok, this post is getting pretty long again. So without further yapping from me, here are some of the photos from the event! 🙂
Ladies at the registration before the event.
Our Ambassador’s wife, Madame Cristina Malaya (centre), with the ALC Patrons of Malaysia (L) and Singapore (R).
There was a mini bazaar just outside the event’s venue (we were at the Grand Ballroom of one of the prettiest hotels – IMHO – in KL, the Royale Chulan) where Filipino inspired accessories and decor were being sold. We also had The Entertainer during that event. Their booth was so eye-catching!
Dato Kee Hua Chee (in black) attended the event with Princess Dr. Becky Leogardo. It looked like some of the Filipiniana-inspired accessories caught his eye. 😀
I’m a sucker for beautiful table settings. Tell me I’m not the only one? 😀
Madame Cristina giving her opening speech, welcoming all the ladies to the event.
What’s a Filipino-hosted gathering without entertainment?
Ms Anne Merader, winner of the ALC-sponsored singing contest a couple of years back.
Members of the Philippine Ladies of Kuala Lumpur (PLKL) danced the Singkil – a dance for and by Royals of the Maranao tribe in Southern Philippines. It’s one of the hardest dances from our country and they did it so well! 😀
The PLKL members after their performance together with Princess Dr Becky Leogardo (2nd from R) and Puan Sri Sylvia Merican (4th from L).
Surprise! Our Ambassador came over to the event to play the piano while Ms Jenny (the Philippine Embassy’s beautiful receptionist) sang a couple of songs. All the ladies – including Madame Cristina – were very much caught of guard. In a nice way, of course. As we all know how busy he was but he still took the time to come to the event organised by the ladies! Awesooome!
The Solianos, the 4th generation of Filipino musicians who have made a name for themselves in Malaysia, also entertained the crowd with a couple of songs while they were having lunch.
Johann (my co-host) and I during a break in the program. We made a great team that day! 🙂
Madame Cristina posing with the Malaysian members of ALC. 😀
Hosting perils include photos of you looking like this. LOL! Midway through a spiel and the photographer decides to snap a photo. This hardly looks flattering but I like it a lot. Mostly cos it’s an unposed “at work” photo. 😀
With the ladies of the Philippine Embassy. How do you like our modern take on traditional Filipiniana? 😉
ALC Members from Singapore pose with their goodie bags from the embassy! We hope you loved what’s inside! 😀
And of course, a photo of the Filipina members with the ALC Patrons here in Kuala Lumpur. <3
I’m looking forward to our next coffee morning. I love seeing the ladies and catching up. 🙂 I wonder which ASEAN country is hosting the next one. Hmmm. 🙂
More later.
Love,
Carol
