Additional Photos by Ditas at the Kamayan Feast, Purple Patch

Today, I received the following photos from our Dinner at Purple Patch -Honoring Ditas Graduation and also her 23rd Birthday- hosted by Ella Lazarte- Ditas first Cousin, and Carenna's second Mom in DC. Here are the photos that included me, since I was not the Photographer. 

Purple Patch on Kamayan Feast (From their website)

Thank you for your interest in partaking in our Kamayan Feast! The traditional

festive meal, also known as a “Boodle Fight”💚, originated at the Philippine 

Military Academy, where it symbolized camaraderie, brotherhood and equality,

as everyone, all ranks, shared this meal together.

“Kamayan” simply means to eat with your hands, and while not mandatory, 

it is certainly encouraged! Your meal will be served on banana leaves and 

includes 15 different dishes selected by Chef Patrice Cleary atop a bed of 

jasmine rice, and ends with Halo Halo, our famous Filipino dessert. 

Also included are one cocktail and one non-alcoholic beverage. When

your meal is finished we provide you with warm towels to wipe your hands 

and to-go containers as we encourage you to take everything home with you 

that you have not finished.

These special dinners are done by reservation request only. This dinner 

is exclusive to your party and will take place in our private event space.

The price per person is $125, (not including tax and 20% service charge💚).

💚Today's Price is $150 per person. 

Ditas also send me photos she took during the Mall Graduation Ceremony, that I did not attend because it involves long walks. We requested our Waiter take a photo of our Group at Matt and Tony Kitchen and Bar in Alexandria, VA. Ditas resided for 3 years in Alexandria when she was still Associate Director for the Bureau of Census, under the Biden Presidency.

Ditas, Carenna and Ella- In the Background is the Lincoln Memorial still in its original paint. I was reading a while ago, Trump wants to paint the memorial, Gold 💚to match with the Garish Gold Decor of the White House. 

In Front of Matt and Tony-Ditas Favorite Hangout Bar and Restaurant, Alexandria, Virginia. From Left to Right: Susan Berstein, Me, Carenna, Ditas and Irene Bueno

Lastly,

💚The Lincoln Memorial itself has not been painted gold, but the monument is tied to two recent events involving gold paint and a nearby renovation project that has captured public attention: 

1. The Gold "Throne Fit for a King" Protest Statue 

In late March 2026, a activist group known as The Secret Handshake placed a 10-foot-tall sculpture of a gold-painted toilet on a faux-marble pedestal directly in front of the Lincoln Memorial. 

• The Message: Titled "A Throne Fit for a King," the installation featured satirical plaques.
• The Target: It mocked President Trump’s White House renovations, specifically the October makeover of the nearby White House Lincoln Bathroom using gold fixtures. 

2. The Reflecting Pool Painting Controversy

While the monument itself remains untouched white marble, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool directly in front of it is currently undergoing a highly publicized, multi-million dollar paint job. 

• The Color: It is not being painted gold; instead, crews are coating the historic granite base in an industrial-grade "American flag blue" swimming pool finish. 
• The Gold Connection: Public criticism often conflates this project with President Trump's affinity for gold decor, such as his concurrent gold-accented White House and Oval Office renovations and his newly proposed 250-foot Triumphal Arch, which features gilded statues and gold lettering. 

3. Minor Vandalism History

Historically, the Lincoln Memorial has occasionally been targeted by vandals using spray paint, though none of the prominent incidents involved gold leaf. The most notable incidents include a green paint splatter on the statue of Abraham Lincoln in 2013 and red spray-paint graffiti protesting international conflicts on the memorial steps.