The delegation of the European Union, in partnership with the Arts Council of Cebu, presented Cine Europa last Sept. 21-24 at the OnStage theater of Ayala Center Cebu. This was the 15th year the film festival had been brought to Cebu.

In four days, a total of 21 films from 17 European countries were shown to record appreciative crowds of mostly young viewers. As the years have passed, there has been a significant increase in the number of films shown, as well as participating countries.

On the first day, the screenings started at 10:30 a.m., with films from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and to cap it all, Italy with Bertolucci’s classic, “The Last Emperor,” set in 1908 to 1968. It depicts the life of China’s Emperor Pu Yi.

Before its screening, there was a reception held at the theater lobby. It was attended by Romania’s Ambassador Valeriu Gheorghe, Finland’s Ambassador Heikki Hannikainen, the Belgian Embassy’s First Secretary Josef Naudts, and Robert Leon from the Delegation of the European Union who year in, year out coordinates Cine Europa with the Arts Council.

Representing the Arts Council were former presidents Fe Sala Villarica and Maia Villarica Franco, vice president Vivina Chiu Yrastorza, event chairs Mariter Dumon Klepp and Elena Chiongbian Young, and trustees Marissa Fernan and Alice Tan Plaza.

Present, too, were Honorary Consul of Belgium Enrique Benedicto, Honorary Consul of Romania Grand Benedicto with wife Genevieve, Johnny and Anna Marie Dizon, Dondi and Corinne Joseph, Meme Dakay and more.

There was a brief program during which the Finnish ambassador gave a speech about films in general. It was very informative and gave the audience an idea of how this art form has evolved in the past 100 years.

Next day, a Saturday, films shown were from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany and the Netherlands. On Sunday, it was Norway, Romania, Spain, Slovakia and Sweden. Shown on Sept. 24 were films from Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

This year, Cine Europa is being brought not just to Manila and Cebu, but also to Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Iloilo and Baguio. As the Arts Council tells Robert Leon, “same time next year.”

Elegant afternoon wedding

It was an elegant afternoon wedding for Menchu Antigua and Gino Macapagal at the Sacred Heart Parish. She is the daughter of Benito Antigua Jr. and Ma. Angeles Muertegui de Antigua. Gino is the son of Dr. Antonio Macapagal and Maricar R. Macapagal of Manila.

Principal sponsors were Philip Rodriguez and Julina Muertegui, Rep. Sigfrido and Kaye Tiñga, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Editha So, Dr. Roosevelt and Elenita Torno, Enrique Farrarons and Joceline Campos-Hess, Gen. Manuel Raval and Olga Antigua, Dr. Phil Felix and Dr. Rosario Panguntalan, Rosauro Raval and Julieta Aguja.

Ma. Cristina Antigua was maid of honor, while Juan Antonio Macapagal stood as best man. Pretty bridesmaids Ma. Veronica Chua, Mary Ianthe Caseñas, Ma. Carmina Calupitan, Erica Neal So, Alexandra Raval and Marian Macapagal were complimented by dashing groomsmen Adrian Vicente, Carlo Aquino, Niño Suarez, Manuel Mari Antigua, Vicente Raval III and Dinoh Raval.

Attending the couple during the rites were the secondary sponsors: Dino Teves and Celine Vicente for the candles; Jose Marie Manas and Ginger Anne Manas, veil; Dandy Chua and Rigin Palileo, cord.

Reception followed at the Casino Español de Cebu’s ballroom, Salon de España, beautifully decorated by Teresin Mendezona who sat at the same table as Menchu’s grandmother, Carmen Bilbao de Muertegui. Cocktails and fine pica-pica of Spanish specialties were served at the foyer, while the buffet dinner was set up at Salon de Madrid.

There were speeches and toasts, plus dancing all the way beyond midnight. Gino and Menchu will make their home in Manila.

‘The Wiz’

The Broadway musical-comedy “The Wiz,” directed by Benjie Diola, will be presented in Cebu Oct. 3-6 at the auditorium of St. Theresa’s College, recently air-conditioned. It is for the benefit of the Young Ladies Association of Charity (YLAC) School on Cebu’s P. Gomez St., opposite the Cathedral.

The school gives free quality Christian education to 561 elementary pupils from needy families in Cebu City. At the forefront of the Cebu City YLAC Foundation are Vilma Cornejo Lee, chair emerita; Anita Sanchez, president; Merle Cunanan, legal counsel; Tessie Arela and Loretta Calderon, ways and means chair persons; and Marissa Baldecir, president of the Cebu City YLAC.

Seventy pupils from the school are in the cast of “The Wiz,” along with a roster that reads like the who’s who of Cebu thespians. Maria Kim Martinez takes the part of Dorothy; Gabriel Gomez, the scarecrow; Phil Angelo Lim, the tin man; Benjie Layos, the lion; Jo-Anne Abesamis Zladumbide, Aunt Em; and Kyle Mella, the Wiz.

More: Ria Araneta, the wicked witch of the west; Shane Reseroni and Gayle Sinodjan, Glinda the good witch of the south; Carmelita Martinez, the good witch of the north; and Anthony Borinaga as the gatekeeper.

“The Wiz” will have matinee showings at 2 p.m., with tickets at P100 (sit anywhere). Gala shows at 7 p.m. with tickets at P300 for the first 15 rows, P200 for the remaining 25 rows and P100 for balcony.

They may be obtained from Lea Rebollido at the YLAC School, tel. (032) 2558839 or (032) 2688078.