A couple of trophies sit in a place of honor where we held the interview, partly obscured by a crowd of family photos. The trophies are just a measure of how much he has improved his game, says Devriendt, who adds that he has no ambitions of taking Tiger Woods place. Although he admits wryly that if he had to pack quickly on a golfing trip, the golf clubs would be his first priority, and a shirt or two would have to do. When asked what business he would go into if given the opportunity, Devriendt s pragmatic side surfaces he begins rattling off the facts and figures a lone businessman needs to set up shop and trying to live comfortably in a tropical country with his family. It would have to be that.
People here are social, they love to go out.
In a country where every little boy dreams of becoming a pilot and every little girl wants to be an equestrienne, Devriendt held strong to the belief that one will never know what the future will bring. Starting his diplomatic career in 1992, Devriendt s only regret is that he didn t embark upon it 10 years earlier. Devriendt always knew he did not want to stay in Europe, but wanted to be posted in the Far East. Sure enough, he was posted in the Philippines, and among his first thoughts whilst ensconced at the Makati Shangri-La was that even if he wanted to, he d never find his way back to the airport in the chaotic and twisting streets of Manila. Devriendt was aware of the amenities and features he found in the country, which reminded him of home.