Amigos de España en Cebu held its traditional Christmas party at Salon Barcelona of Casino Español. The highlight was the exchange of gifts, always hilarious.
Everyone wanted to get the large bag filled with Spanish chorizos José Mari Miranda brought from his son Ipar’s restaurant.
Leading the group were president emeritus Amparito Lhuillier, current president Myra Gonzalez, vice president Susan Sala with her mom Nena Montenegro, secretary Anna Marie Dizon and treasurer Julina Muertegui who, with Mitos Montilla, registered the gifts.
Present were Angeles Antigua, Marichu Garcia, Carmen Campbell, Ochie Pelaez, Paqui Aboitiz, Quina Melendez, Kingsley Medalla, Rosebud Sala and Margot Larrañaga.
More: Gema Pido, Lourdes Narcise, John Valencia, Teresin Mendezona, Tina Ebrada, Mem La O, Annie Aboitiz, Diana Belaunzaran, Tessie Javier, Marian Aboitiz, Chinggay Utzurrum, Vivina Yrastorza and Vilma Ouano.
Special guests were Pacita Sode, Alejandra Wadskier from Venezuela, and John Rex who took the pictures.
Garden dedication
Montebello Villa Hotel is the only garden hotel in Cebu City, opened in 1972 and due to celebrate 46 years of existence this February. Ever since, the garden has been the special and loving concern of Zelia Borromeo.
On Zelia’s recent birthday, the garden was dedicated to her as “El Jardin de Zelia” in recognition of her great caring for its lawns, flower beds, shrubs and towering trees. A dinner capped the celebration.
New honorary consul
Ambassador of Belgium Michel Goffin hosted a reception at the ballroom of Marco Polo Plaza Hotel to introduce Enrison Benedicto as the new Honorary Consul of Belgium in Cebu.
With Enrison on this occasion were his pretty wife Christine Dorothy, his parents Enrique and Helena Benedicto, and his brother Grand Benedicto, Honorary Consul of Romania with his wife Genevieve.
This was also valedictory for Enrique Benedicto, who for many years has served the Honorary Consulate of Belgium in Cebu with total dedication. There is a long list of accomplishments and projects successfully undertaken under his tenure.
A few days later, also at Marco Polo, the Ambassador of Japan Koji Haneda and his wife Ihoko Haneda hosted a reception to celebrate the birthday of Emperor Akihito.
Present were staff members of the Japanese Consulate in Cebu, led by counselor/director Chiharu Tsuroka, consul/visa officer Shigeki Furuhata and consul Toshiya Yamada.
The toasts were emotive, as Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are retiring in April 2019, and will be succeeded by Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako.
Splendid luncheon
Consul General Shi Yong of the People’s Republic of China in Cebu hosted a luncheon for members of the Cebu press at the Tsay Cheng Chinese restaurant. With him were chief consul Qin Yong and consular attaché Jiang Wen.
Ethel Natera, who works for the Chinese consulate general, coordinated the event with splendid results.
Ambassador Francisco Benedicto also hosted a luncheon for media friends at Tsay Cheng, this one coordinated by Sam Costanilla who served as master of ceremonies with his usual panache and subtle Cebuano humor.
Special guests were Frank and Malou Cimafranca. He holds a prominent post in the Department of Foreign Affairs. He said the DFA will open more extension offices, the better to process passport applications.
Both Malou and Frank are from Bohol. In 2018, they will be assigned to Athens where he will assume the post of Philippine ambassador to Greece.
Also at Tsay Cheng, this time a dinner party, was Bayani and Virgie Reyes’ celebration of her birthday, with their pretty daughters Sheila and Leslie Ann.
Guests included Ochie Pelaez, Babie and Ricardo Go, Thelma Rama, Vilma Ouano, Diana Bleaunzaran, Vicente and Encai Go, Edu and Jaja Rama, Paun and Geraldine Rama, Aileen Rama Donal-Tran, Michael and Eloise John and Bugsy Hernandez.
Floral crowns
Two years ago on Teresin Mendezona’s birthday at her scenic home in Cebu’s Beverly Hills, the ladies were requested to wear tantalizing fascinators. Last year they wore sparkling tiaras.
This year Teresin and her lady guests wore floral crowns in varied colors, exuding exotic redolence. As always, it was a merry gathering, the buffet was a gourmet’s fantasy made reality.
Dr. Vivina Chiu Yrastorza, eminent pediatrician, marked her birthday with a dinner party at Salon de Madrid of the Casino Español de Cebu. Helping her was her son Dr. Pocholo Yrastorza, whose dental clinic is one of the best equipped in Cebu.
Kingsley Medalla chooses a different venue every year to celebrate his birthday. This time it was Napoleon Arts Café in Banilad. It is filled with paintings and bric-a-brac.
The occasion also served to welcome his mother, Pacita Sode, home after a long vacation in Australia.
