Monday evening saw TOURFLAIR hold an intimate wine and cheese reception in Brisbane, Australia, to showcase the beauty and old-world charm of Manila and the Philippines.
The event, hosted by Teresa (Dinty) and David Keating, started at 6:00 pm. Everything in the Keating home is from the Philippines, from the marble terrace lit with capiz lanterns, the furniture, the décor and original paintings of Ivan Acuna and Carlos Rocha, to the wooden platters and give-aways. Sumptuous cheese and antipasto platters and, of course, the good wine, set the mood for an enjoyable and hospitable evening, all done in gracious Filipino style.
The Keating home showing off their Philippine decor
Guests, all professionals and academics, movers and shakers in Brisbane society, showed up. Agnes Whiten, herself a very influential person at the University of Queensland and the chairperson of the Ethnics Communities Council of Queensland, did most of the inviting.
Dinty Keating, Jeannie Mok, Marie Louise; Debbie Yeo, Peter Keating, Quantas' Mr. Yeo
Among the attendees were the Deputy Consul General of the People’s Republic of China, Mian Meng, the vice consul Li Yingguan, the chairman of the Lord Mayor’s Round Table Nick Xynias and his wife Pat, the Vice president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Australia Philippines Robert Hernandez and his wife Helen, Jeannie Mok and Evelyn Wong –pricipals of the Asian Pacific Institute, Margaret Vallance of the University Women’s Society, and Colleen Forester – government lobbyist and business consultant. Reena Johnson of the Philippine Consulate, Carl and Marie Louise Singson of Gawad Kalinga and Debbie Yeo of Westpac Bank were enthusiastic supporters of the evening.
Robert & Helen Hernandez, Nick Xynias; Evelyn Wong & Li Yungguan
Once everyone was comfortable, happy and enjoying themselves, Dinty started the presentation with a short introduction about herself as founder of TOUR FLAIR. She stressed the fact that the agency only does very intimate, small group tours, making visitors feel like friends and special guests. She informed them that Mindy Perez-Rubio and Lory Vi Valdes had personally prepared the video presentation for them. They all settled down to watch the video and were totally engrossed. They loved the fact that it was very personal - especially when Dinty pointed out that even her Mom was in the DVD movie. After the show, they just sat there waiting for more. They were truly impressed and the video just raised their interest in the Philippines.
Pat Xynias, Reena Johnson & a guest await presentation
It was a very successful information evening and most of the guests were interested in joining the tours if not this November, hopefully some time next year. There will be more of these wine and cheese evenings – the next one on Wednesday, September 1. Stay tuned!
