The Federation held a special testimonial dinner for Secretary Arthur C. Yap last July 18, 2005 at the Harbor City Seafood Restaurant. The dinner was a small gathering of thirtyish people mostly members and officers of the Federation and some avid friends in the industry. This was finely coupled with a gastronomical dining affair arranged by no less than our socialite gourmet Farmer Durian Tan with a little “let your hair down” liqueur personally concocted by the debonair Davao representative Farmer Bong Mercado to spice up the aroma of great food and great company.

As the Ways and Means Chairperson, Farmer Durian Tan said, “it was just a small treat to a very special person with whom we can associate, relate and understand.” To which Chairman Gaby Uy added, “every time we invite him for conferences and conventions, the Secretary never seemed to have the time to eat, all he does is work, so now we are giving him the opportunity to savor great pork cooking by a seafood chef!.” Vice Chairman Rene Eleria profoundly stated what everybody wanted to say, and that is “thank you.”

The toast master for the night, Mr. Bong Mercado, moved to dinner with a moving prayer and, “A toast to the man and his gallantry, to a firm and decisive and honorable gentleman, we are indebted to him for the manner in which he has discharged his responsible tasks”.

The dining event was a definite

treat to the former Secretary as he was able to savor the different pork dishes by going around the tables and taking time to casually respond to questions and comments, as well as rumors and facts.

It was a moving moment when the former Secretary stood for his speech and related the incidents that led to his decision to leave the civil service and clearly it was due to the BIR issues raised against his family. He explained simply that like any one in the crowd he was just a regular person and not a politician, that when he was appointed as head of the Department his only objective was simply to make it a better organization responsive to and concerned of its constituents and their benefits and who still represents a majority of the nation.

Former Secretary Yap also narrated the way media had hounded him about the issue, and how these have brought a lot of headache to him as well as his parents and relatives who have gone through sleepless nights of worry. However, what he thinks made it really such a heartbreaker was discovering that the issue was raised by the very people he trusted and worked with almost everyday. But candidly he noted, “that’s life!” He then tactfully disclosed that whatever he did, he did with the knowledge of the President.

On a lighter side of his speech he joked about the turn-over ceremonies held the morning before the dinner, describing it as initially marred with demonstrators ransacking the DA building yet ending in a peaceful retreat of the demonstrators

Finally Mr. Yap thanked the Federation for their support, adding that the relationship he established with them is more than just an acquaintance,

ending with the assurance that he will still assist the organization in other endeavors in the very near future, its not the last supper.