A Spanish fiesta for Cebuana debutante

Broker and civic leader Miguel del Gallego and his realtor wife, Marilen Galan, realized that when their eldest daughter Marianne opted to have a grand debut, it would set a precedent and be the standard their five daughters will later follow.

However, their middle child Martha had decided to celebrate her special day differently. She simply wanted everyone who had touched her young life – family, close relatives and dearest of friends – to have a wonderful time, without the pressures and the hassles of must-do-this or must-do-that, which usually dictates on such grandiose affairs.

Elder sister Monique and good friend Maricris Gandionco were just as determined to comply with Martha’s wishes. They planned ahead with care and immediately got to work.

The theme was set – a Spanish fiesta, complete with red and yellow banderitas to complement the colors of the Spanish flag, mesas y mesas of Iberian delicacies, with the all-time favorite paella as the centerpiece and the ever-popular vino rojo from the Rioja region. And let’s not forget the guitars and castanets. The venue? No place would have been more appropriate than the Casino Español de Cebu Grand Ballroom.

Martha, in a Baby de Leon Spanish-inspired two-piece gown with a hand-painted design accentuated with glass beads and Swarovski stones, stood poised and tall. She was truly a lovely lady, beaming with happiness, as she warmly greeted her many guests. Standing by her side was her escort for the evening and dance partner Luigi Ang.

Her proud father coordinated a video presentation, which highlighted the milestones in Martha’s childhood days and teenage years. One thing was certain – she loved to dance.

And, dance she did. The debutante surprised the guests with a flamenco number, executed con mucho gusto, which had them cheering with bravos and oles. Masterfully choreographed by Doy Aradaza, sisters Monique and Meryl, friends Beverly Nadela, Marion Sampang, Mikele Ugarte, Samantha Garcia, Socorro Quisumbing, Abigail Fortich, Gail Lu, Maricris Gandionco and Nonah Mae Ting, they joined her, all in colorful Spanish-influenced gowns. Their dance partners – Iñaki Martinez, Adrian Tirol, Christian Delgado, Wilson Young, Rodrigo Gandionco, John Erik Quisumbing, Rogelio Osmeña, Kyle Patrick Brevante, Samuel Tabar, Mark Sy and Javier Sala – came in crisp, white long-sleeved shirts with sashes that matched los colores de los trajes de las chicas bonitas.

A bit of the old-time tradition came alive when dad Miguel whisked Martha for the customary baile de vals. Other guapos soon followed suit. They included childhood friends Andre Borromeo, Gaston Lozada, brothers Tristan and Carlos Aboitiz, Mikel Sala and Thomas Ngo. Even tito Alberto Rotaeche, who is rather retiring and reserved when it comes to dancing, took to the dance floor, as well.

Among the beauties who made fashion statements that evening were Sophia Aboitiz, who was ultra chic in a black spaghetti dress, Maricris Gandionco, muy Española in a flaming red off-the-shoulder gown with black tassels, statuesque Mikele Ugarte, who was simply stunning in a silver gray biased gown, Anya Javellana, dressed in an eye-catching purple short number with cascading floral appliqués, and Monique del Gallego, elegantisima in a pastel peach uneven hemline outfit.

¡Que fiesta! Comida deliciosa, vinos excelentes, con amigos y parientes de lo mejor.