22 December 2014 – Music, dancing and Christmas cheer prevailed as the ASEAN Ladies Circle (ALC) Philippines and the lady officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur hosted the monthly ALC Coffee Morning at The Royale Chulan hotel on December 15.

Madame Rena Cristina Koa-Malaya, M.D., ALC-Philippines Patron and wife of Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia J. Eduardo Malaya, led the lady Embassy officers and staff and ALC-Philippines members in welcoming guests to the event, which also took on a Christmas feel.

“In as much as it is the holiday season back home, allow us to make everyone experience a piece of that celebration today. Our ALC-Philippines ladies prepared an excellent program, and the chefs of The Royale Chulan laid out a delectable spread.  As they say back home, a Filipino party is nothing without two things—fine food and great music,” she said.

“The ALC has done a lot this year 2014, and it would be timely to look back and celebrate our successes during the year.  It would also be timely for us to look into how we can assist our ALC Malaysia colleagues as Malaysia holds the ASEAN Chairmanship next year,” Dr. Malaya added.

During the program, Madame Malaya and ALC Interim President and ALC-Malaysia Patron Datin Rohayazam Kamaruzaman also gave capiz boat trays as tokens to the other ALC Patrons. 

This was followed by a musical program featuring songs from Malaysia-based performers Anne Mercader, Lipraxedes Jumawan, Embassy staff member Jennifer Alferez and the widely-known Soliano Family. The Philippine Ladies of Kuala Lumpur also performed a Singkil dance. Those present were also in for a surprise when Ambassador Malaya himself appeared to play the piano.

The Coffee Morning likewise featured a Philippine Bazaar, where capiz items, jewelry and accessories, and food and lifestyle voucher provider Entertainer were showcased.

The ALC is an organization composed of wives of ASEAN Missions’ male officers and staff, its female officers and staff and women who belong to ASEAN countries. It also works with the Malaysian Foreign Ministry and other related organizations on socio-cultural projects and raises funds to support charitable causes. END