By Trustee Jose Raulito E. Paras
On 13 March 2022, the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Philippine Bar Association, Inc. was held in Pedro Farms, Silang, Cavite. The farm is owned by Trustee Peter Corvera. The meeting proved to be an occasion for the trustees and their guests to gather for fun activities. It ended late in the night with a lot of feasting, chatting, teasing, and singing.
President Rodelle Bolante led the attendance of Trustees in the venue. I joined Trustees John Molo, Chryse Bautista and Bingbing Villareal – Fernando in arriving one after the other. Trustees Arnel Valeña, Mike Orosa and Ian Malilong tagged along their lovely wives. Past Presidents Juju Lotilla, Pope Solis, Maritess Sison Go and Rodel Cruz (chaperoned by his daughter) graced the event. Trustee Peegee Pangilinan came in time for the dinner activities. Former Public-Private Partnership Center head, Raj Palacios, friends of the Trustees, and lawyers from the firm of Trustee Peter were also invited for the festivities. And of course, our Office Manager, Jing Osias, did not miss the get-together.
Trustee Peter kicked off the exciting day at around mid-afternoon as the Trustees and other guests started arriving. His staff served us welcome drinks of champagne, beer, wine, and soda in a cozy receiving area. Freshly roasted meat and sausages paired with the drinks. When almost everyone was inside, he walked us on a scenic, educational tour of Pedro Farms. The family-owned farm boasts of world-class planting facilities and state-of-the-art greenhouses where all sorts of vegetables and fruits are grown. The farm ensures optimal environmental conditions for agricultural produce of the highest quality. After the tour, we were ushered into one of buildings where the Board was to meet formally. But before the Trustees assembled, Trustee Peter brought us to what appeared to be a closet that surprisingly turned out to be a façade leading to a secret music room with a gorgeous whiskey bar. With its sleek black and gold decor, the music room easily was reminiscent of a James Bond movie.
Leaving the guests and spouses to enjoy and relax in the music room, the Trustees were steered to an adjacent boardroom in order to conduct official business. With quorum having established, President Rodelle called the meeting to order. The Board quickly disposed of the official matters and the meeting ended with the President sharing his plans for his term. We immediately rushed back to the adjoining music bar after the adjournment. After an hour of fellowship, Trustee Peter and his charming wife, Dr. Mae Corvera, accompanied us on a short side trip of his cafe littered with beautiful species of ornamental plants.
The cool and breezy weather coupled with al fresco dining rewarded us with a more laid-back and pleasant dinnertime. The night program began with a prayer from Trustee Chryse and opening remarks from President Rodelle. Sumptuous food and overflowing drinks awaited us. While dining, we were serenaded by a husband & wife duo. To turn the night more special, Trustee Peter opened a 30-year aged Ballantine’s whiskey to the delight of the men in the house. Crooning started with me having been egged to lead the pack of soloists. Past President Pope and Trustee John soon followed suit belting out their own back-to-back numbers. To cap off the evening, each guest departed the venue with a bursting loot bag of Pedro Farms fresh produce.
But the fun did not end there even if almost everyone was gone. Bea, daughter of Past President Rodel, sang a few pieces to the listening enjoyment of those who stayed behind. As the effects of alcohol started to seep into my confidence, I did a few lively intermission numbers before I left the place by stroke of midnight.
At this juncture, I join the other trustees and guests in expressing our profound gratitude to Trustee Peter and his wife for their warm and generous hospitality in hosting our last Board meeting. An out-of-town Board Meeting was indeed a welcome respite for all of us after having spent most of the past two years in isolation due to the pandemic.
