9.279

11 (Thu) October 2018

Japchae (WHAT)

2.0

at Royal Korean Restaurant (WHERE)

-Malate, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines-

with WHO WPRO senior management and Pacific Island Chief Country Representatives

Today, at the 69th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, our Member States endorsed the WHO Western Pacific Regional Action Agenda on Strengthening Legal Frameworks for Health in the Sustainable Development Goals.  Without exaggeration, it is a momentous day in the field of health, the culmination of my career thus far.

While I should be celebrating, I was instead busy organizing a special dinner hosted by the Regional Director for the chief representatives of Pacific island countries.

Tonight may likely have been the final occasion for the RD to call upon my competency for culinary concinnity, at least in an official capacity.  It has been a privilege and a pleasure.

The meal turned out fine, as far as the host and guests were concerned.

Behind the scenes, however, the restaurant gouged us for 20 portions of meats that we didn’t consume, which we’d ordered during the initial reservation last week but cancelled yesterday in light of several last-minute invitation declines.   The owner claimed that the kitchen had already prepared the meat before the cancellation notice, so we had to pay.  I tried to appeal to his long-term business outlook – I mean, we’re regulars that often host big events there – but he wouldn’t budge, insistent on protecting his short-term interests.

Henceforth, this restaurant is banned, as far as I’m concerned.

Incidentally, there was a hair in the japchae, as seen in the featured photo.