I missed the first Cigar Fellowship last month. I had looked forward to it but changed my mind after seeing the traffic moving from Makati to Quezon City. I was told that Churchills Cigar Bar was located at the Edsa Plaza hotel. I didn't think it was worth sitting in traffic for one hour in exchange for a cigar and a glass of wine.

However, the feedback from those who attended were so favorable that I felt I missed something. So I decided I would not miss the next one.

The moment I opened the car door, my eyeglass fogged due to the aircon blowing on it the whole trip from Makati. As a result I couldn't make out the face of the person welcoming me from the other side of the glass panel of Churchills. While I could not make out the face the profile was a giveaway. One of the earliest to arrive, director Jun Ymson took on the task of being the official greeter. The other early birds were director Cary de Venecia, MN (member-nominees) Rico Tan and J.P. Reyes, PPs Coch and Tony Laurel, PNS Mon Mayuga and President Dennis V. President Dennis, true to Rotary's motto "Punctuality is Beauty" has not yet been late for any Rotary function since his term started. The girls of Churchills said that Dennis was already there even when they were still dressing up.
"As a matter of fact, even when there's no Rotary function, Mr. Valdes always arrives early here." added Churchill girl Grace.

While waiting for our wine and cigars, JP Reyes offered Dennis and myself a drink from his private stock of single - malt whisky, which we accepted and thoroughly enjoyed. JP will no doubt be a good Rotarian. Better induct him fast.

Soon PP Arsenic Laurel arrived, rather peeved because he wanted to be on time but his driver made a wrong turn. Could it have been force of habit?

After a while, we were joined by Tony Yap, Dong 2, PP Bobby Chang, AM Desi Laperal and his friend - soon-to-be MN Detlef Skrobane .

I was expecting Luther to make his appearance in the evening - he being the host or organizer of the Cigar club. It would have been a nice touch if somebody came forward to talk about the cigar and the wine. A little educational spiel. But there was no Luther - not early, not later. Somebody commented that Luther may have been in England for a fitting of his suit.

The P500.00 entry fee included three glasses of port wine, one cigar and seven hand-holding opportunities with Churchill girls Rosselle and Grace. Not everyone smoked although PPs Tony Laurel and Bobby Chang surprised us when they both lighted up.( With or without prompting from Rosselle and Grace - I don't know). The non-smokers were Arsenic, Coch, Desi and Detlef. To replace the cigar in the P500 package, they were given extra three glasses of wine. I noticed later that they had all turned glassy eyed.

So much for minor vices.

Last to arrive, but still managing to enjoy a cigar and some wine, were Tom Pohang and MN Michael Chan.

At 8:00 pm, Coch called my attention to the arrival of Mr. Bean. As I prepared to watch him, Coch confessed that the man was not really Mr Bean but rather the owner of the bar.

Well, I guess if you own the place, you can look like anyone you damn well please!

But why Mr Bean?