Manila Polo Club
Greg Murray '81
Kitkat Silverio Zobel '85

BALITA 3/2000
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Chismis 1999
Chismis 2000

Passion for the game is what made the Manila Polo Club

THESE were the words of Eduardo Yap, the young-looking president of the Manila Polo Club during last Sunday's opening of the Polo season,which was one of the most well-attended openings in the club's 90-year history.  This was based on the number of past Polo Club presidents who graced the occasion.

Polo Player Inigo Zobel  More about Inigo Zobel

Yap reaffirmed his administration wish to foster a family spirit in the club.  He also promised full transparency.  Foremost in his agenda is the upgrading of the club's facilities to make it at par or even better than the newer ones. 

These include the renovation of the grand lobby, the building of new function rooms, the expansion and relocation of the library, which will have better reading lounges, computer and business centers.

The administration plans to expand the badminton section, increasing the courts from three to eight.  The tennis facilities will also be improved.  The equestrian department now has the biggest bullring in the Philippines, the second biggest in Asia.  They also plan to upgrade the Olympic-style pool by installing a new water treatment technology that will do away with chlorine.

For the kids, a playground will be constructed and regular "Family Days" will be organized, during which Masses will be celebrated and pony rides, fun and games will be offered.  Special food fiestas will highlight these celebrations, which Yap said would bring the community together, like a family.

The new administration also plans to increase revenues by establishing a special associate membership program, in which the children of members will be integrated into the club as associated members for P1,200 per month, definitely cheaper than other premier clubs.  And we're talking of crème de la crème here!

Millennium president

The dignified millennium Polo Club president summed up his administrative program as "better facilities, better food quality, more professional management, and enhanced revenues."

During the formal opening of the polo season, there was a good mix of power players, beauty queens and club insiders.  It started with a lively opening game with Los Tamaraos facing The Calatagans.  The cup, won by the former, was the Club's first in the new millennium, wherein players from Chile and Australia participated.  (In February, a British team will come to compete.)  A bountiful reception of sausages, quiches, kebabs, cheese, pasta, fruits and fondue followed.  Later there was ballroom dancing.

Women wore lovely and colorful hats, men wore neutral day suits, and children wore sun-dresses and junior polo outfits.  The weather was at its friendliest, and so were the people.

With the overwhelming chi-chi atmosphere, I suddenly craved for scones and English tea.  One word sums them up, "Fresh."

And so, as the president declared, "With great pleasure, I declare the Polo season open."

Salute!

Greg Murray ('81)

Greg and his wife Michele have a son David and they live in Convent Station, New Jersey. Gringo's job lets him travel to the Philippines once in a while. Email Greg: mgm9995@aol.com More about Greg

David Murray

A peek at Fernando & Kitkat Silverio Zobel's ('85) bookshelf

THE PHILIPPINE STAR JANUARY 23, 2000 THE READING CLUB By GIRLIE RODIS  I knew her parents Dante and Belen Silverio from so many years ago.  Her sister Chichi and I would bump into each other in social events.  I remember Kitkat as a shy, pretty and unassuming teener whom I wanted to represent in commercials as I did to Mikee Cojuangco later on.  I used to live in the Ecology Village next to Dasmariñas Village where they lived.

Apart from great literature, Kitkat Zobel goes for books on parenting and children, while Fernando relaxes with books on world leaders, economies and art.

These are some of their favorite books:

KITKAT S. ZOBEL’S BOOKLIST

1. MEMOIR OF A GEISHA by Arthur Golden
I was completely immersed in this book and could not put it down.  The author gives the reader a glimpse into the secret world of geishas.  With the way it was written, I could clearly imagine and visualize the scenery, the beautiful details of a spring, summer, or winter kimono, and the transformation a nine-year-old girl goes through to eventually become one of the most coveted geishas in adulthood.

2. MINDHUNTER – INSIDE THE FBI'S SERIAL CRIME UNIT by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker
This is a really fascinating book on the 25-year career of John Douglas with the FBI.  He served as a model and inspiration for John Glenn's character in Silence of the Lambs.  By viewing different crime scenes, Douglas is able to create a profile of the murderers, describing their habits and predicting what they may do next.  He has studied and interviewed assassins and serial killers, some of which include Charles Manson and the son of Sam (Dave Berkowitz).  The reader gets a chilling look into the minds of some of the most notorious and sadistic serial killers and criminals.

3. THE READER by Bernhard Schlink
The latest book that I have read.  The story takes place in postwar Germany and is about a complicated relationship between a 15-year-old boy and a woman twice his age.  I found it disturbing but it was a good read nevertheless.

4. A CHILD CALLED "IT" – ONE CHILD'S COURAGE TO SURVIVE by Dave Pelzer
This is the true story written by the author about the severe abuse – emotional and physical – given to him by his alcoholic and emotionally unstable mother.  I found it difficult to believe that a mother could inflict such horrible acts on her own child.  I am amazed at how he found the will to survive and overcome the living hell that he experienced beginning at the tender age of four.  It’s truly an inspiring story.  I have yet to read the sequel, The Lost Boy – A Foster Child’s Search for the Love of a "Family."

5. THE INTRUDER by Peter Blauner
I read this a couple of years ago.  It's a terrific thriller where the real intruder in the story isn't who I originally thought it was.  It's a great story with well-thought-out characters. 

6. THE NEW FIRST THREE YEARS OF LIFE by Burton L. White
This is a great guide to the month-by-month physical, emotional, social and mental development of children from the infant to toddler stage.  Since I am now a parent I find it very useful.

7. TOUCHPOINTS by T. Berry Brazelton, M.D.
Another good book that offers parents an understanding of child development in different aspects – physical , cognitive, emotional and behavioral.

8. THE SPIRIT QUEST CHRONICLES – BOOKS 1 AND 2 by Ruel S. de Veyra
I've always enjoyed ghost stories!  These chronicles tell of the true experiences of the Spirit Questors, young psychic volunteers, and their encounters with the paranormal world.  Interesting stories that kept me up and afraid late at night!

9. THE GIVING TREE by Shel Silverstein
A wonderful and moving story about a boy and a tree.  A great way to teach a child the values of love and giving.  It's a simple story but one that has lots of meaning.

10. THE FUNNY LITTLE WOMEN retold by Arlene Mosel
An amusing story set in old Japan about a little Japanese woman who loves to laugh and make dumplings.  She follows her runaway dumpling to the land of the wicked oni and must find a way to outwit them in order to escape.  The illustrations are marvelous and the story humorous.  I remember borrowing this from the library over and over again.

11. LOVE YOU FOREVER by Robert Munsch
A book recommended to me by Peachy Concepcion.  A touching story about a child growing up to be an adult and how his mother loved him through each stage of his life no matter how he behaved.  I've given this as gift to many friends.

FERNANDO ZOBEL DE AYALA’S BOOKLIST

1. THE SINGAPORE STORY – MEMOIRS OF LEE KUAN YEW
The fascinating memories of one of the great leaders of our time.

2. COLLECTED STORIES by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
I have always enjoyed reading Garcia Marquez's stories.  I studied his work in college and I still enjoy reading his books.

3. GENERATION TO GENERATION – LIFE CYCLES OF THE FAMILY BUSINESS by John Davis
An excellent book about the challenges that are faced by family businesses and some practical suggestions to avoid problems!

4. THE LIVING COMPANY by Arie De Geus
An interesting study on the key success factors of companies that have been around for more than a hundred years.  An interesting contrast between the management of organization as communities of human beings and those that are managed purely as economic entities.

5. BLUR by Stan Davis and Chris Meyer
Blur explores some of the radical changes that are taking place in economies around the world and the new rules for success in an information/network economy.

6. BORN TO REBEL by Frank Sulloway
This writer tries to build a link between the character of individuals and their birth order.  He also looks at other factors such as social influences to explain personality characteristics.  He uses these theories to explain the behavior of well-known historical figures.

7. BLACK SHEEPAND KISSING COUSINS by Elizabeth Stone
An interesting study on the role that family stories play in building a unique bond between family members.  It also illustrates the way these stories can shape the values and character of a family.

8. LORDS OF THE RIM by Sterline Seagrave
An interesting history on the economic success and influence of the major overseas Chinese families in the Pacific.

9. CHINA – 5000 YEARS – INNOVATION AND TRANSFORMATION IN THE ARTS by Sherman Lee

10. THE ART OF ZEN by Stephen Addius
My favorite pastime on weekends is to learn about Asian art and antiques.  These two books are among my favorites.

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