About 200 members and spouses participated in 3 days of celebrations in Manila on 9–11 May to mark AFE’s first 25 years. Although tropical storm Aere (Bebeng) threatened to wash out the events on the first morning, it veered away at the last moment, enabling the celebrations to kick off early that day as planned, with 26 members playing in a golf tournament at the Riviera Golf Club in Silang, Cavite. The tournament was won by Isidoro "Sid" David (see box for the list of winners).
Among the non-golfers who remained in Manila, 16 joined an informative and insightful guided walking tour through Intramuros in the morning. That evening, members caught up with former colleagues and friends in spirited conversation at the welcoming “Bienvenida” cocktail reception in the ADB cafeteria. During the reception we were treated to ethnic dances by the ADB Dance Guild and a performance of Hanagasa Odori, a Japanese dance, by the “South Belles” from the AFE South Group. We also watched a brief video statement specially recorded for the occasion by President Kuroda who could not attend. Mrs. Kuroda, however, joined the festivities and greeted many members.
On Tuesday, 10 May, members attended some informative presentations by Director General Kazu Sakai of ADB’s Strategy and Policy Department and two staff members of the Philippine Country Office. Ace Lim then led us on a tour of the headquarters complex, with members being shown areas we had never seen before. We also toured new developments such as the new multistorey carpark, the rainwater collection and recycling system, and the smokers’ lounge (aka “lung center”) in the centre courtyard.
In the evening we enjoyed a memorable sunset dinner cruise on Manila Bay. As the boat got under way, on one side the sinking sun lit up the clouds on the horizon in shades of red and gold, while on the other side familiar landmarks and many tall new buildings on the foreshores slipped by with their lights glowing against the darkening sky. Later, with the dinner over and the boat rocking and rolling on its way back with the help of incoming waves, the event culminated in much merriment and lively dancing on board to the music of a seasoned band.
On Wednesday, 11 May, about 25 members visited a feeding program in Tondo for poor children funded by the ADB Staff Community Fund. In the evening, we gathered at the ADB Executive Dining Room for the farewell “Despedida” cocktail reception, with delightful entertainment from the ADB Chorale and the ADB Dance Guild and 2 beautiful songs by Andy Carlos accompanied on the piano by Edith Okada. It was also the occasion for a fun-filled exchange of gifts, and some energetic ballroom and line dancing, a fitting finish to the celebration of AFE’s first 25 years.
The decision to mark the first 25 years with a special celebration in Manila right after the annual general meeting in Ha Noi was reached at AFE’s annual general meeting in Tashkent in 2010. The 3-day celebration was planned by a committee of AFE members headed by Steve Banta. Members included Executive Secretary Hans Springer, Deputy Executive Secretary Jill de Villa, Treasurer David Parker, Gam de Armas, Lou de Belen, Raquel Cabiles, Peter Darjes, Roby Espiritu, and Ofie St. Ana, with valuable inputs from Nestor Diasanta and Gunter Hecker. Able assistance was given by office staff Jo Aquino, Beck Celzo, and Malou Magalued. Raquel Cabiles did a superb job of arranging a welcome committee, with the ladies beautifully attired in ternos, to greet participants at registration. Pictures of the events may be viewed below, more will be added.
