The Gregorian Choir of Paris came to Cebu under the aegis of the French Embassy, Alliance Française de Manille, Alliance Française de Cebu and Ayala Malls. The group consists of 26 male and female choristers who come from different counties.
Its mission is to preserve the Gregorian chant in liturgical rites as well as perform in concert venues, to an ever increasing audience.
It is the choir’s first time to visit the Philippines.
Excellent menu
On the choir’s first day in Cebu, Saturday, Feb. 21, it participated in the anticipated Sunday Mass at the Cathedral—all lighted up inside and out. It was also full a good 30 minutes before the Mass. The choir made its entrance chanting down the aisle the Litany of Saints.
Present on this occasion was France’s Honorary Consul Michel Lhuillier, his wife Amparito Llamas Lhuillier, her sister Anna Marie Llamas Dizon, Alliance Française de Cebu director Louis Thevenin with wife Honeylet, Anita Sanchez, Kingsley Medalla and his mom Pacita Sode Medalla.
After the Mass there was a dinner for the group, its conductor Charles Barbier and organist Pascal Marsault, at La Maison Rose within the complex of Alliance Française de Cebu, whose president is Michel.
An excellent menu was served and the best red wine from Bordeaux poured. Next day the choir gave a full concert in the open air, to a large multitude of people, at The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu. A few days later the group went to Bohol and visited with the famous Loboc Children’s Choir.
New restaurant
Parilya is the latest restaurant opened by the Laguna Group which operates Laguna Garden Café, Café Laguna, Ulli’s Street of Asia and Lemon Grass, all in Ayala Center. This time Parilya is located al fresco by the sea at Il Corso, in the South Road Properties.
Welcoming all at the opening was the Laguna Group’s matriarch Lita Urbina with daughters Jill Viado and Grace Absin, and a large group of family members. A random enumeration gives us:
Edman Absin, Raki Urbina, Cecile Urbina, Krisha Viado, Patricia Canoy, Regina Urbina, Juno Viado, Kelly Urbina, Julie Urbina, Jan Urbina, Arik Urbina, Ico Absin, Dennis Canoy, Guia Urbina and Jet Canoy.
Dear friends present included Teresin Mendezona, Annie Aboitiz, Elvira Luym, Cheling Sala, Irma Atillo, Rosebud Sala, Nonie Uy, Jaime Chua, Aissa de la Cruz, Albert Garbanzos, Anthony Leuterio, Imelda Cuyos, Arlene Vargas, Mimi Alazas, Maybelle Arriola and more.
They feasted on Cebu boneless lechon, varied steamed seafood, chicken inasal, and some unique dishes introduced that day like chorizo gourmet burger, lechon sandwich and otap pastry with ice cream. Many swore by the different kinds of seaweed.
