Special to the Times/News

Mayor Noel Gibb recently had a chance meeting in Burien with another mayor - from across the Pacific Ocean.

Gibb and his wife, Margie, stopped at "Little Pat's Place," 13611 Ambaum Blvd. S.W., for dinner, where they enjoy visiting with owners Nena and Pat Payoyo.

Unknown to the Gibbs, another mayor was also in the house that evening - Municipal Mayor Corazon J. Ruiz- Abad of Sarrat, Ilocos Norte in the Philippines.

As she was preparing to leave, a Payoyo family member noticed Gibb and announced his presence in the restaurant.

When Ruiz-Abad learned he was dining in the same restaurant, she asked, "You mean the mayor eats here?" Nena laughs when she recalled the expression on the face of her husband's high school friend. "She thinks it's an honor we know the mayor, that we're involved in the community," Nena said.

It was unanimously decided that the two mayors should become better acquainted, and a potluck at the restaurant was quickly arranged for a few evenings later. Approximately 60 people turned out for the private gathering. Although there was no official ceremony, agenda or hoopla, representatives of the two countries and their cultures bonded in a personal, quaint setting on this special evening.

This was Mayor Ruiz-Abad's second visit to the Seattle area, but her first visit to Burien as part of a 30-day tour of the United States.

Outfitted in a delicate, hand-woven white dress from her homeland, Ruiz-Abad selectively chose her attire. She believes wearing fine clothing brings awareness of her country's clothing industry.

Nena explained, "She promotes it so people can have more jobs."

The two mayors discussed many things in English, from their respective cities - she said Sarrat is a bit larger than Burien - to their families.

Ruiz-Abad and Pat shared fond memories of their years in the Philippines, where they were high school friends. So what did the visiting mayor think of Burien?

"She loved the hanging plants and when she saw them she said, 'oh that's a good idea,'" Nena noted with a smile.

"She also liked the Southwest 152nd 'Welcome to Burien' arch gateway ... she loves it here!"

Of their coincidental meeting, Gibb confesses, "I felt very humble."

Although she was the guest of honor, it was Gibb whom she made feel extraordinary.

He added, "I could not believe the importance that she placed just on my being there, that I took the time out of my day to meet her.... She was insistent that we come to her city to visit her. What an honor."