I suppose it is safe for me to surmise that most of you readers understand what this phrase means. It is the code phrase used to convey to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom the passing on of the Queen Elizabeth II, and thus set the plan into motion. The plan refers to “Operation London Bridge”, the funeral plan for the Queen, which was created as early as the 1960s, with some revisions subsequently. It involved several government institutions including the Church of England and the Queen herself. Interestingly, there were also other plans created to support the implementation of “Operation London Bridge”. One of them was “Operation Unicorn”, should the Queen die in Scotland, which she did, in this case.
Set code phrases were given to the funeral plans for the royal family members. When King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II, died, key government officials were informed with the phrase “Hyde Park Corner”. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, names of prominent bridges in the U.K. were used for the plans of the different royal family members. You may want to know that the code name for the future funeral plan for the now King Charles III is “Operation Menai Bridge”, Menai Bridge being a town in north-west Wales celebrated for the Menai Suspension Bridge built in 1826 and was supposed to be the world’s first major suspension bridge. To this day, the bridge still stands and carries road traffic.
For me, her transitioning to the next life feels like the end of an era. What’s more I have always found her endearing and down-to-earth. She is the only one among all the British royal family members that I like enough to follow, with the exception of the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth I; that is, if what the books and films about Elizabeth I are indeed true to life. (I say this ever since I realized that history is written by human beings, who, probably have their own biases.) The other strong female leaders I find fascinating are Catherine the Great of Russia and Empress Wu Zetian of China. For all intents and purposes, Elizabeth II seemed to project a more docile and even-tempered nature than the other 2 (Catherine and Wu Zetian) but I am sure, deep within her, she had an iron will which manifested in a different way – perhaps in her steadfastness, her consistency, her unflagging sense of service and duty, and in her quick wit and unfailing sense of humor. If we all remember, she participated in a “James Bond” skit for the 2012 Olympics in London. And that endearing scene she had with Paddington bear and their marmalade sandwich “baon”.
As a tribute to her, I made myself a piping hot cup of Twinings Tea, something we share in common. Twinings tea is one of the food and drink manufacturers who supply the palace. They have a Royal Warrant of Appointment. This means that they are the chosen (in this case, chosen by the late Queen E II) as suppliers of tea for the palace and are allowed to advertise that they have a Royal Warrant of Appointment. Not that they are free. The palace still pays for the goods. If you will notice in the box of Twinings tea, there will be a phrase that says ”By appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II……”. According to Wikipedia, other food and beverage suppliers with a royal warrant are Cadbury, Bollinger, Fortnum & Mason, Heinz, Tanqueray Gordon & Co and Schweppes. Non-food suppliers with royal warrants are Aston Martin, Land Rover, Jaguar cars, Boots, Axminster Carpets, Paragon China, The Irish Linen Company and Yardley of London.
So, take note, if you use or have any products of these brands, you are in royal company. In my case, I have always loved sipping a cup of hot Twinings tea, even before I found out that I was in excellent royal company – Queen Elizabeth II. So, here is a toast, with my cup of tea, to her loving memory and lasting legacy.
GREY IS THE NEW BLACK!
Even before the controversial “blindsiding” of Lisa LaFlamme, and before she let her hair go grey, I was already a semi-fan of the lady anchor of CTV National News. I found her a refreshing break from many of the news anchors I was used to watching and working with in the Philippine mainstream media. No shades of editorializing, nor coming across as opinionated. Then, to top it all, Lisa L. let her locks go silver. That did it! I became a full-fledged fan of Madame L (or is it Mademoiselle?), aside from the revival of my erstwhile wishy-washy resolve to “embrace” my grey.
I had seriously considered taking a break (hoping for a permanent one) from coloring my hair several years ago. The idea first crossed my mind, when, in 2018, Celeste Legaspi (yes, the same Celeste L. who sang “Mamang Sorbetero” and “Saranggola ni Pepe”) and I bumped into each other at the Tokyo International Film Festival. (Take note, this was pre-covid.) She, to promote their film “Ang Larawan” adapted from “A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino” a play by Filipino National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin, which was included for screening in the festival, and myself as a buyer in the film and television content market of the Festival.
Celeste and I were together for a brief period in the musical band “Ambivalent Crowd” in the 70s and 80s under the musical direction of the late Willy Cruz. After my brief stint with them, we went our separate ways in terms of our careers. In my case, I was juggling 3 things at the same time – my family, my television career and my musical performing commitment with “The Ambivalent Crowd”. Eventually, I had to let go of one to retain my sanity. I ended up saying my farewells to the “A. Crowd” for obvious reasons. I mean my television career was my bread and butter and the family was a “no-brainer” choice.
It was a pleasant surprise to meet her again in Tokyo after so many years. What was even more admirable was that she just let her lovely hair go silver. And I don’t mean a “lola” kind of look. She had her hair fashionably styled but went with her natural grey/silver. A perfect combination of posh and natural.
For a while, I had forgotten about this until the pandemic hit. I began seriously researching already as to how best to go about to transition to a salt and pepper look and still remain stylish. At the time, though, I was still hemming and hawing about it.
Then, lo and behold!, Lisa L went grey. Wonderful! I was totally inspired. Then, another lady gave me the final push to take the plunge. While following the Philippine election campaign videos online earlier this year, I was fascinated by the hairstyle of Irene Marcos-Araneta. She had the exact silver look that I was looking for– salt and pepper, short, no-fuss, layered haircut. I just love it. Of course, it does help that she is still as pretty as ever. I have always found her so good-looking and the epitome of good taste, even when she was younger. And I find it amusing that she is the youngest of the siblings and yet she has opted to embrace her grey. I will most likely hie off to a good hair stylist one of these days. At least, that’s the plan, Stan. (Shades of Sesame Street)
Just for the record, my being enamored with Mrs. Araneta’s crowning glory has nothing to do with my political leanings. It has everything to do with aging gracefully, going with the flow of nature, and yet retaining a modicum of being fashionable. So, to date, I have not succumbed to coloring my hair… yet. It’s a work in progress, I must admit.
LOVE LIKE THE GALAXY & A FEMALE STUDENT ARRIVES AT THE IMPERIAL COLLEGE
I cannot end this piece without gushing over an iQiyi Chinese costume drama starring the really cute Wu Lei (aka Leo Wu) and the peaches-and-cream “kutis” Zhao Lu Si. “Love Like the Galaxy” has 56 episodes and just ended its airing in China. Luckily for us outside of China, it is posted on You Tube, although a week or 2 delayed. I am in awe of the production elements of this series – from the storyline, the script, the casting, the production design, the direction, the music scoring, the creatives, the costumes, the cinematography, the location scenery, in short its total holistic aesthetics. The “kilig” factor is also a plus point.
I can wax poetic about this series until the cows come in, but the real proof of the pudding is in the viewing. LLTG is unadulterated, well-made entertainment. A refreshing break from all the stressful news in media. Except maybe for some violent scenes, which are all tastefully done.
Another noteworthy drama series is “A Female Student Arrives at the Imperial College”. This is a bit more cutesy and juvenile than LLTG but if you want something lighter, this is perfect for you. The original network is Tencent Video and was released in 2021 with 30 episodes. All episodes are posted on YT. “Salamat naman sa” YT! No worries. Both have English subtitles versions, aside from other languages.
If the drama series carries the names, Tencent Video or iQiyi, I know that their brand of quality is up my alley.
THE BER MONTHS ARE HERE! QUIET QUITTING – SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
In Manila, for sure, they are playing Christmas carols already in the malls. But here, this is the time to savor the waning days of summer transitioning into autumn. While doing so, I am intrigued lately by the new term “quiet quitting” being bandied about. I find it a bit disconcerting to encourage this kind of work attitude in one’s job. You may want to do your own research and think about it. Is mediocre the new thing now?
Tessie Ochangco-Taylor