THE MODERATOR

The Moderator was called as The Partition and all the conflicts it spawned manifested in a memorable breakfast of lamb masala and roti (never mind the dry taco al pastor and so-so ham sandwich) from the Salcedo Weekend Market in Makati versus a forgettable dinner of what can be bhindi masala and chicken vindaloo at Curry Walla in Siem Reap.

A truce was declared in Pub Street after a midnight meal of Khmer porridge on the eve of The Side Event and it was conceded that perhaps, the north indian chicken thali served by a confused Travancore waiter can also be a product of inclusive and responsible business that will be livestreamed from the familiar rooms of the Somadevi Angkor Hotel and Spa.

The Armistice held and the spirits of Krud and Hanuman, including Cambodia in an emerald bottle, finally caught up with The Enablers as they dine on Mahob Cuisine (Mekong fish ceviche, honey duck breast, fish amok, fried spring rolls, beef loc lac), security protocols and engagement plan for The Main Event.     

At the the Empress Angkor Hotel, The Team lost one to COVID-19, another missed a flight and 8 of 10 recognitions were handed out to women in the ASEAN women but from there onwards, everything was a blur including a demonstration of Khmer classical dance that was obscured by a hefty serving of Khmer barbecue and unlimited Angkor beer while reminishing three sessions of Khmer whiskey with coke.

We came, we engaged and we gnawed enthusiastically at skeletons fished from bowls of Khmer beef bone soup that even a sudden afternoon downpour, the regret of not taking a MLA-MNH-REP route and an impending red-eye return flight failed to dissipate.    

On the day of Emperor Maxentius' proclamation, The Phantom Biker finally emerged from the shadows of The Moderator to catch the peloton of a countryside bike tour that started without him, drafting behind a possible camel toe who smelled of crushed basil leaves as Tour de Siem Reap broke through ricefields, racks of oyster mushroom and the stalls of a village market with orphaned dogs and albino catfishes from the temple as escorts until the empty lotus farm and Pokambor Street where he was rewarded with grilled Khmer sausages and cans of cold regular beer served in tiny plastic tables with toddler plastic chairs.