Lea Salonga 'Backstory' 10/21/2009
Mich
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20091021-231540/A-White-House-tour
BACKSTORY
Backstory : A White House tour
By Lea Salonga
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: October 21, 2009
MEDFORD, Oregon—I just arrived here a few hours ago, greeted not by
the frenzy of a big city but by the quiet of a small town. I’ll be
performing tomorrow night at the Craterion Ginger Rogers Theater. (By
the time this comes out, it will be all over.)
This tour that I’m on has required me to take many modes of travel by
land and air. For destinations that are far apart from one another,
this means airports and plane rides. Which isn’t always the best for
my voice; airplane air is very dry.
Shorter distances mean car rides—I’ve also had to share a bus with the
band, which makes for a “shortened” trip just from laughing so hard.
Or a train journey—I took the Acela Express from New York to
Washington DC, and that was lovely.
My Washington stop wasn’t on the tour schedule, actually. What
happened was, there were a couple of disaster relief-related events
organized by the Philippine Embassy: a Mass at the beautiful St.
Matthew’s Cathedral, and a reception at the ambassador’s residence.
It was a special Mass celebrated for the victims of Tropical Storm
“Ondoy” (international codename: Ketsana) and Typhoon
“Pepeng” (Parma). The Ateneo Alumni Choir (among its members is Tony
Lambino, former member of Smokey Mountain) provided the music, singing
beloved liturgical songs written by Jesuit priests Manoling Francisco
and Eduardo Hontiveros, among others. I sang “Ama Namin,” and spoke a
little bit before the Mass ended. Ambassador Willy Gaa gave a message
of his own.
Following the Mass was a lovely reception, and tons of homemade
Filipino food. Mrs. Minda Gaa, the ambassador’s wife, prepared a
spread of Pinoy delicacies: chicken lollipop, two kinds of lumpia,
asparagus wrapped with beef and many more. For dessert, she served
kutsinta (her own amazing recipe) and turon, among many others. It was
very delicious, and all the guests present were very happy. I sang a
few songs at the end of the evening.
The reception was special, being also a fundraiser for the victims of
“Ondoy” and “Pepeng.” Leaders of different organizations and other
donors were present. The donations amounted to around $20,000. It was
a wonderful night. Thanks, Ambassador and Mrs. Gaa, as well as your
officers and staff, for your warm hospitality.
Cris Comerford
The name should ring a bell: Cristeta Comerford, a Filipino, is the
White House chef, currently serving President Barack Obama and his
family. Well, she gave me a personal tour of the White House!
Accompanying me was Vice Consul Robert Borje from the Philippine
Embassy.
We met her and pastry chef Bill Yosses at a concealed entrance, close
to the Treasury Department. I had to give Cris a hug… hey, wouldn’t
you? Bill’s heart is practically Pinoy, but the hug for him was
reserved for the end of the tour.
Cris took us by the Rose Garden, the Navy Mess—where we met quite a
few Pinoy navy men who were on duty in the kitchen—and the dining
rooms where the First Family and staff eat.
We caught up with a public White House tour and visited the Blue Room,
the Green Room, the State Dining Room, the East Room, and the China
Room. Because of the public tour, the entrances to the actual rooms
were roped off, but Cris told us that when there isn’t a tour, all the
rooms are used and enjoyed by the First Family and their guests.
We exited through the front door. I looked up and saw a stained glass
butterfly hung at one of the second floor windows. Cris said, “That’s
Malia Obama’s bedroom.” I thought it was cute. Bill then handed us two
gift bags, each with the presidential seal, filled with M&Ms and
chocolates.
I had a lunch date with the Embassy staff at Tenpenh Restaurant (I
ordered the Pinoy bento box) before my flight back to Los Angeles.
It was a really sweet break from the tour to visit this amazing city.
I’d love to return and see more of the sights. In the meantime, I
shall continue my tour with the memories of this wonderful morning
fresh in my mind.
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