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| Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion |
There is something very special when friends you haven’t seen in a long while appear out of the blue to surprise you.
Our dear friend, Sanchit Bayani Conway, a former Bacolod media practitioner, gave us a big thrill when she suddenly showed up after living so many years in her beloved Sydney, Australia. On her first night, she met with old friends Bing and Ray Ascalon and yours truly, for a memorable dinner at L’Fisher Hotel, where we recalled our former escapades, remembering media friends from the past, who were still alive and some who had passed away.
She couldn’t get over the fantastic changes in Bacolod where we used to have our favorite nightly haunts during our younger days. We decided to end the evening with a nightcap at Calea for some yummy treats, when we happily ran into our former “barkada”, Congressman Bing Leonardia, who was there with wife Elsa. He could hardly believe his eyes on seeing Sanchit after all this time.
The next evening, we had dinner at Kai Sei with colleagues, Ninfa and Perla Leonardia together with Carla Gomez, who all raved over how young Sanchit has remained through the years. She hasn’t changed a bit – still a riot despite living a very comfortable (and wealthy?) life in Australia. Our laughter and chatter lasted well into the night until we found ourselves the last customers in the restaurant. We ended with a nightcap at Felicia’s where we gorged on sinfully delicious desserts.
On Sanchit’s last night, we had a most enjoyable “despedida” dinner at the Lobatons’ where Sanchit was staying. Other guests at the party were her relatives and friends who have not seen her in a long time. We all enjoyed the specially-prepared dishes and, of course, the incomparable lechon, that makes any dinner a celebration.
Bon voyage, dear Sanchit. Until we meet again.*
