Casino Español de Cebu held its traditional observance of Dia de la Hispanidad on Oct. 12. It is the National Day of Spain, as well as the Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar, patroness of all Hispanic nations.

A replica of the statue that’s venerated in Zaragoza, Spain, was on display at the altar where Msgr. Achilles Dakay celebrated an anticipated Mass. Cocktails and pica-pica were served at Salon Granada where a jamón Serrano was sliced into filmy, bite-size morsels. My son Luis David told his wife Charnaine, “This is enough for me. I can sit here all night over a plateful.”

Spanish Honorary Consul Anton Perdices introduced the Spanish Embassy’s deputy head of mission and the event’s guest of honor, Amaya Ruth Fuentes Milani.

Also introduced at the event was Rebecca Fernandez, the Spanish professor at the Cebu Normal University.

Cebu celebrates National Day of Spain — Angelique Lhuillier, Eduard Loop

At 8 p.m., the elegant crowd moved on to the Salon de España for the reception. Members of the club’s “junta directiva” had 100-percent attendance, dashing in their black suits and fiery red ties.

They included president Eduard Loop, VP Eduardo Gonzalez with his wife Therese Bowler Gonzalez, secretary Paco Jarque and his wife Mona Lisa del Gallego Jarque, treasurer Michael Veloso and his wife Bettina Larrazabal Veloso, house chair Javier Sala and his wife Kaye Luym Sala, sports director Michael Miranda and his wife Ruth Miranda, and Clementino Diez II, director of cultural and social events.

Loop took his seat at the presidential table beside Angie Lhuillier, lovely and gracious beyond words. May Ocaba, the club’s general manager, was on stage to announce the start of the evening’s program.

Perdices introduced Milani, citing an impressive curriculum vitae.

When dance music came on, Loop’s parents, US consular agent Glenn and Honey Loop, Honorary Consul of Sweden Jose and Susan Sala, and Dave and Betty Young, took to the dance floor.

In no time, many more joined the dancing, including pretty ballroom regulars Tessie Javier, Jane Llaban, Helen Misa, Ning Ning Lozada, Gina Kahler.

At the special tables were Rosebud Sala, Teresin Mendezona, Tony and Grace Lozada, brothers Cuco and Ramon del Gallego with nephew Raton who had come from Manila, Angela Pola, and Raul Morante who is with the Spanish firm building the third bridge from Cebu City to Mactan, specifically Cordova. It might even extend to Bohol.