A masquared ball to raise funds for the restoration and beautification of Cebu’s Osmeña Boulevard was held by the Beautiful Cebu Movement Foundation (BCMF) at the ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. It will be hard to top in terms of grandeur and goals attained. About 1,000 attended.
It was all the brainchild of BCMF chairperson Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung, who counted with Marguerite Lhuillier as co-chair. “My children, too,” said Mariquita, especially youngest daughter Jewelle Yeung, who had designed the invitations and labels on the wine exclusively bottled for the occasion.
Mariquita’s son Martin Yeung was instrumental in elaborating the concept of a Venetian theme, complete with Vivaldi music pervading through the hotel’s foyer. Jugglers in costume were performing feats, and ladies in voluminous 18th-century hoop skirts glided about.
We were right behind Mariquita on her arrival at the ball, radiantly acknowledging cheers, clad in a gown by Cary Santiago, sporting a huge fan masque, and ablaze with a diamond necklace with an oleander petal pattern.
“A gift from my dear husband,” she said, caressing Carlos Yeung with an intense look. He smiled broadly. In came their son Martin squiring lovely Claudia de Sousa, his fiancee. “The wedding is on Nov. 17, mark the day, in Cebu,” said Mariquita.
Getting their share of the spotlight were eldest daughter Carla and her husband Chris McKowen who had come from Hong Kong a few days before with their firstborn, Harrison Ryder.
People milled around the waiting area, sipping champagne, posing for photos, inspecting the items on the silent auction, choosing the give-away masks at the registration counter, or just waiting at the doors to the ballroom in avid anticipation.
“In a little while,” said Margie Lhuillier, wrapped in silver mesh as she emerged, having given her approval to an infinity of details. As those portals were unlocked, Junjet Primor cued the program with clockwork precision.
Acrobats started to perform all over the stage, pretty girls in crinolines and ostrich plumes sashayed between tables, and bouncy music filled the air. Master of ceremonies Vince Escario made pertinent announcements, more like prodding everyone to steer toward the various buffet tables.
VIP list
Seated with Carlos and Mariquita Yeung were Marguerite Lhuillier, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia (in yards of white tulle), Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Ambassador Philippe Lhuillier, with wife Edna Diago Lhuillier, Honorary Consul of France Michel Lhuillier, with wife Amparito Llamas Lhuillier, and Jocelyn Pesquera.
Violin virtuoso Jake Juleous electrified the audience as he pranced about playing the classic and pop tunes which sounded like Paganini. Doing songs from “Phantom of the Opera” were Jackie Chang and Ralph Malazarte.
The evening’s program was hosted by Borgy Manotoc who asked Mariquita and Marguerite to come on stage to give the event’s rationale. “I told Mike Rama that if he was elected mayor I’d help realize this project,” Mariquita said.
“We started moving last year,” she added, explaining how she galvanized a group of volunteer ladies, among them architect Tessie Javier, who designed the Osmeña Boulevard renovation project, from the Capitol Building to Fuente Osmeña, and all the way downtown to the junction of Sanciangco Street.
Governor Garcia undertook the distance from the Capitol to Fuente Osmeña, and now it’s the BCMF that will complete the rest. That was the reason for this masquerade ball.
Entertainment par excellence was provided by top singers Pinky Marquez Cancio and Martin Nievera, who performed pro bono.
Tessa Prieto Valdes, who had come for the occasion with husband Dennis Valdes, was on hand to preside the auction of “dinners” with Mayor Mike Rama and Governor Garcia. Top bidder for both was Segundino Selma Jr.
Two days later the Yeung family had a big celebration at their Villa Mariquita in Nivel Hills. It was the baptismal of their first grandson, Harrison Ryder Y. McKowen, and it was also Mariquita’s birthday, as well as the Yeungs’ wedding anniversary.
Lots of well-wishers attended, led by their dear friend, former President Joseph Estrada, who came with his family. Also present and getting their share of attention were Annabelle Rama and Eddie Gutierrez, the latter recalling his student days at San Beda, San Sebastian and Letran.
A week afterward, and beneath a full moon, on the same garden was the Beautiful Cebu appreciation party. Monette Aliño, who had been most active with the Masquerade Ball secretariat, called out the names of those presented with crystal plaques.
Mariquita and Margie had words of gratitude for all, and elicited cheers when they announced that total expenses may have amounted to P1.7 million, but funds raised were over P8 million. “Calculate!” they exclaimed. When they asked the rhetorical question, “Shall we have another ball next year?” there was a thunderous YES.
