Wed on a Saturday afternoon at the Santa Teresita Parish in Lahug were Francesca Marie Arambulo and Kenneth Ryan Pimentel. The bride, Rica to family and friends, is the lovely daughter of Raul Raphael Arambulo and Maria Luisa “Marita” Alvarez Arambulo. Kenneth is the son of Natalio Pimentel Jr. and Maria Lourdes Pimentel.
The nuptial mass was celebrated by Fr. Ramiro Gallo of Verbum Dei. Principal sponsors were Maximiano Arambulo, Anthony Araw, Dr. Ronald Medalle, Francis Sy, Dr. Teodoro Gonzalez, Rudy Alba, and Mesdames Hazel Trinidad Alvarez, April del Rosario Lopez, Bernice Streegan Montenegro, Maria Lorenza Arambulo Lopez, Len-Len Pimentel and Lenny Perreras.
Among the bridal entourage were Rica’s cousin Carla Castro Florcruz as maid of honor; best man Tristan de los Trinos; bridesmaids Victoria Haynes, Ee-ling Miko Sarmiento, and Kitty Arambulo; and groomsmen Luis Miguel Arambulo, Mark Jason Pimentel and Virgilio Arguiles.
After the rites, guests motored from Cebu City to Mactan Island for the reception at the family-owned Costabella Beach Hotel sea front. Getting the rush and heaps of congratulations were the bride’s maternal grandparents, Luis “Sitoy” Alvarez and Merceditas Borromeo Alvarez.
Costabella
Shortly after this event in Costabella was the resort’s 30th anniversary bash also held at the white sand beach front, with “Pirates of the Caribbean” for theme. Sitoy and Ditas Alvarez opened Costabella in 1981 in a palm shaded property that had been the Sunday retreat of Carlotina Polangcus in the 1960s.
It originally had 16 rooms, a scenic pool set in a beautiful garden, and La Marina restaurant offering first class cuisine. Now, Costabella has 156 rooms, 8 of them beachfront suites. The resort offers great facilities for meetings, conferences, and team building activities. The elegant ballroom can accommodate up to 400. The spa is well recommended.
The pool and garden remain the same with the coconut palms towering above the new structures. Aside from La Marina, there’s a beach dining al fresco outlet aptly called La Brisa, which is Spanish for breeze. The seafood specialties are so fresh diners ask if if they come from the nearby beach’s catch.
“We have excellent suppliers,” say Marita Arambulo, the general manager, and her sister Mariles Alvarez Nable, Costabella’s consultant for food and beverage. They planned the anniversary party to the last detail with stations serving classic food, Pan Asian dishes, and typical Caribbean fare.
Raul Arambulo, Marita’s husband, is an ace photographer. He has some astounding shots of Costabella through the years. Maybe someday they’ll appear in a book. Marita is compiling personal stories and memoirs from friends about their Costabella experience.
Ambassador Benedicto
Speaking of memories, Francisco Benedicto shared highlights from his 25-year career as Philippine Ambassador to Singapore, Korea, Brazil, Canada, India and the People’s Republic of China. This was during an epicurean lunch for which he personally chose the menu at Laguna Garden cafe in The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu.
“You’ll see more of me in Cebu now that I have retired,” said Ambassador Frank, adding that he will undertake civic work.
‘Fashion and Rhythm’
Mila Espina, who was present at Laguna Garden, was quick to advance news about an event she is directing come Nov. 17 at the ballroom of the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.
It is titled “Fashion and Rhythm,” a parade of Cebu’s luminaries red carpet style under the aegis of the Cebu chapter of the Consular Corps of the Philippines. It is in partnership with the Zonta Club of Cebu I to raise funds for its various community projects.
On top of it all as co-chairpersons are the Russian Federation’s Honorary Consul Armi Lopez Garcia, chair of the Cebu Consular Corps; and Stella Solero Bernabe, president of the Cebu Zonta I. The event chair is Lucille Colina, currently vice president of the Zonta Club of Cebu I, and its president elect for next term.
Mila Espina is quite enthusiastic with the response from prominent Cebuanas to participate. “What do I have to do?” Amparito Llamas Lhuillier has asked. The answer: model some of those original gowns by daughter Monique Lhuillier. “No problem,” Amparito flashes.
Iris Fernan Arcenas has said yes to featuring her daughter Mia’s exclusive collection of silk caftans. They are on display at their Ferimar office near the Marco Polo along with some of those award winning accessories.
Masquerade Ball
As Ambassador Frank and Mila descended the grand staircase of Cafe Laguna, who should come into view? Mariquita Yeung, garbed in Chanel, and sporting an Hermes bag and belt. “Here is a model for Fashion and Rhythm,” they said in unison.
Mariquita, accompanied by Monette Aliño and Meren Gepilano, informed the group that she’s heading her own fundraiser set for Oct. 14. It is a Grand Masquerade Ball at the ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel which will accommodate the targeted 1,000. “Formal duds and glitzy masks,” the trio told all.
The event will benefit the Beautiful Cebu Foundation’s project to help Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama transform Osmeña Boulevard into a heritage avenue. Smooth walkways freed of sidewalk vendors, lamps and plants are all part of a master plan devised by architect Tessie Javier.
Funds raised will develop the segment from Sanciangco street to Fuente Osmeña. The beautification from Fuente Osmeña to the Capitol Building is the concern of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.
