Luncheon for prince short, sweet, warm

What was perhaps one of the last state functions in the Aquino administration turned out to be short (relatively) and sweet, and warm, with the guest of honor visibly going along with the melody of the finale song, “Stand by Me.”

This old song from the ’60s reprised famously by John Lennon, we would learn later, is one of the favorite songs of the visiting head of state, Prince Albert II of Monaco.

The 58-year-old royal tapped the table, ever so delicately, to the beat of the retro classic as the country’s top rock singer Bamboo, leading balladeer Arthur Manuntag and R&B singer Radha sang the Ben E. King composition.

President Aquino hosted a state luncheon for Prince Albert Thursday at Malacañang Ceremonial Hall. The royal from the rich principality in Europe that’s associated with both the world’s jetsetting set and Hollywood lore is here until next week to visit the Tubbataha Reefs National Park in Palawan, in line with his advocacy concerning the environment and climate change.

He came from Brazil where he chaired the Monaco Blue Initiative, a forum on the protection of marine biodiversity, under the Prince Albert Foundation. He established this foundation in 2006 to address environment issues.

This is the first time Prince Albert is visiting the Philippines as head of state. He is the only son of Prince Rainier III and the former Grace Kelly, the American icon whose marriage to the prince in the ’50s has become the subject of modern-day lore.

Prince Albert’s older sister, Princess Caroline of Hanover, was also a visitor of the country about eight years ago, to call attention to Virlanie Foundation, a French nongovernment organization that gives shelter to Filipino streetchildren.

Therefore, it was just fitting that Mr. Aquino, in his remarks, lauded the genuine efforts of the Monaco royals to link up with the country’s disadvantaged members of society, and in the case of Prince Albert, with the people whose lives have been affected by climate change.

The luncheon guests were a few of the country’s leaders in business and industry, and diplomats.

Before the state luncheon, the guests mingled at the Presidential Hall for cocktails.

Shortly around noon they were led to the Ceremonial Hall, which sported  stately arrangements of white mums, red orchids and white roses.

The lunch was native fare but given a western slant: salad of Batangas duck estofado a l’orange (with Sagada orange, muscovado, carrots, cointreau-Davao cacao vinaigrette); tinola of Bohol white marlin, Bulacan river prawn, Capiz scallop, Quezon blue crab—a Philippine-style bouillabaisse.

The main course was Blackmore wagyu short rib inihaw, with bistek Tagalog jus, sigarilyas (winged bean), kalabasa (squash) blossoms.

Dessert was halo-halo of ube haleya, creme caramel, saba, jackfruit, red beans, Iloilo tablea lava and Pangasinan mango.

It was interesting how chef Margarita Fores sourced her ingredients from various parts of the country.

Right after dessert was served, the program began with Radha singing “Diamonds” with dances by Powerdance and the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group.

Then the country’s leading folk group performed a traditional number, “Kadal Taju.”

Bamboo then sang “Noypi.” The country’s rock star connected to the audience and contrary to what Mr. Aquino may have feared, the relatively older audience loved the rock star.

Angeline Quinto, touted as the country’s new superstar, was quite enchanting, her voice simply stirring your emotions, as she sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

Then Manuntag, Radha and Bamboo did the standards—a Sinatra suite, no less.

The finale of the program directed by Homer Flores was “Lean on Me” and “Stand by Me” by Manuntag, Radha, Bamboo and Quinto.

According to Fortune Aleta Ledesma, Monaco’s consul general to the Philippines, the royal visitor was so impressed with the Filipino food and the singers.

On Thursday afternoon, he left for El Nido and on to Tubbataha.