Wine and Dandy

Because I'm seeing a lot of Kang Ta lately, we have become steady dates. No, there isn't a sliver of romance, but it's convenient to have someone like him to do the town with.

Last night was wine tasting with some people I haven't met - some local high-rollers who are being treated by Kang Ta's private bank to sample the produce of an Argentine winery. Obviously, the private bank is hoping that they would park their money with them. They even have a wine investment portfolio that is not very different from the one launched by Societe Generale years ago.

I've done this bit a few times in the past, but in Manila it's a big to-do. People were dressed up like they were going to a fancy dress ball; there was even an emcee announcing the luminaries present. It bordered on tacky, but that's Manila society for you.

In Singapore and Hong Kong, the biggies who attend are often accompanied by a wine connoiseur or a sommelier hired for the day. They see it as a business event primarily and they want to make the right choices before they invest in a harvest or th winery. If they are happy with the produce, they sign up to acquire cases of particular vintages.

In contrast, in Manila, they drink and eat and socialise. Very few of them realise that they can make a bundle by investing - or up their social rep if they acquired cases of vintage wines.

Anyhoo, Kang Ta and I tried our best to enjoy the evening.

"Are you boys together," asked a matron.

"No, we're not, Tita," replied Kang Ta. (Everyone is Manila society Tita, from the Hispanic Tia or Auntie.)

"Ay, these days, you can never tell," the matron said, seemingly pleased with herself.

After the wine tasting, Kang Ta took me home. I had to pack and go to the province where I will stay before the Lunar New Year visitations. The coding of the car plates will make it impossible for me to go to Bulacan; the car that my uncle assigned to me can't get out after a certain time on a certain day.

I am now in Bulacan where the silence and isolation is incredible. It's a good place to collect my thoughts again.





A lushness that I miss. The front garden in our provincial home.