December 3, 2014. Woodcroft NSW — It was not an official visit to Australia. It was in fact a chance meeting during Sunday mass but it was enough for Max and Leah Encomienda to organise a welcome dinner for Cebu Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella at their home in Woodcroft.
Despite the short notice, some 50 guests, mostly Cebuanos arrived to meet and greet the city official. Among the more notable guests were Atty. Jess Icao and Atty. Marissa Bala, both of whom speak fluent Cebuano but were polite enough to use Tagalog and English in the presence of this writer.
Close family friends Rudy and Senette Famorca, who lived nearby shared a table with the omni-present Knight of Rizal director Jade Cadeliña.
Dinner was served a bit late because the vice mayor came all the way from Hunter Valley where he must have tasted the best variety of wines Australia could offer.
After dinner, guests gathered in the spacious lounge for an update on what is going on in Cebu, also known as the “Queen City of the South.”
Fondly called ‘Ed’ by those present, the vice mayor talked about developments and infrastructure projects now being undertaken by the city council. People in attendance were impressed by his knowledge of current demographics, including the political landscape of Cebu. — DMC