The Cebu Chapter of La Chaine des Rotisseurs held a white night fellowship at the Ibiza Beach Club of the Movenpick Hotel in Mactan. Most of the guests complied with the dress code, making it all seem like a luminous evening in the Balearic Isles.
Fashion plates as ever were Michel and Amparito Lhuillier, he being the national head of La Chaine and she presiding the Cebu balliage. Ever the gracious hosts, they greeted everyone and thanked somebody up there for the perfect weather.
While it was raining and storming in Cebu island that night, there was a clear sky and a calm sea at Ibiza. A covered area had been prepared, just in case, but a waning moon and some stars did appear in the firmament.
Down the boardwalk from the hotel to the beach filed glamorous ladies in white finery: Teresin Mendezona, Rafaelita Pelaez, Vikki Hermosisima, Alice Plaza, Carmen Campbell, Aida Patana, Mariquita Yeung and Belinda Wong.
Posing at the photo wall were Federico Borromeo, who heads La Chaine in Manila and his pretty wife Josephine; Winglip and Pinky Chang, Glenn and Honey Loop, Gabby Leyson and Tina Jordana, Dave and Joy Sharpe.
The stag line was quite impressive with Massimo Lamagna, Dr. Arten Zarei, Alistair Granger, Stephan Wieprich, and Dr. Nestor Alonso expertly rating the exquisite menu. The lobster ceviche was delicious as was the Brazilian churrasco.
Manny Osmeña, who owns the building that houses Movenpick, and who has a stunning wine cellar with the “Manny O” label, chose the series of wines paired with every dish.
The sounds of clinking goblets went on all night, even above the din of spectacular show reminiscent of Rio. And for good reason, too, since Manny received a special medal of award from La Chaine.
Glimpsed about: Angie Mathieu, Rosebud Sala, Mayen Tan, Stella Bernabe, Iris Arcenas with daughter Mia, June Alegrado, Rosemarie Dakay with children BJ, Pierre and Meme; and Margie Taylor whose Bibendum wine shop is the most popular in town.
More glimpses were of Jurgen and Sandra Pesch, Allan and Lisa Mill-Irving, Michael and Rose Hennssy, Michael and Bethilda Smith, Marc and Fabrice Cools, David and Joy Leonard, Gerry and Pamela Montanus with Harry Montanus and Hans Wekhonig.
To complete the roster: Ben Dimaano, John Martel, Fernanda Lopez, Yvette Vass, Marie Manalan, Pauline Hofer, Antonia Lorenzo, Patrick Pangilinan, Marilou Ong, Adam Schihab and Karl Beter.
Frederich Franza Krille and Rosalinde were acknowledged as La Chaine members all the way from Germany.
Congratulated for a wonderfully memorable evening were the Movenpick’s general manager Knuth Kiefer, VP of sales and marketing David Jamieson, food/beverage manager Daniel Trumpfheller, executive chef Aaron Foster, Ibiza Beach Club manager Ronaldo de la Cruz, and banquet and events sales manager Tiffany Pulido.
French Day in Cebu
It was another epicurean event when the honorary consul of France in the Visayas and Mme. Michel Lhuillier, together with Alliance Française de Cebu, celebrated French National Day.
Alliance Française director Louis Thevenin and staff planned a smart casual affair at the Alliance grounds, with a garden setting, albeit with a huge tent in case it rains.
Specialties served were from the French restaurant La Maison Rose, and from the recently opened deli “La Vie Parisienne.” It offers a wide range of French products from cheeses to quality wines at very good prices. The sausages are in-house and pronounced excellent.
People came in droves from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. the following day, attracted by the French breads and croissants. The breads all come from France, half-baked, and kept in freezers. Every day at certain hours, they are put in an oven for consumption.
After the celebration of French National Day, Michel and Amparito would take a monthlong vacation abroad. They will be back by September with plans for more La Chaine events. For sure, the annual anniversary gala set for December will be at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.
