A very Cebuano New Year
It has become a much-cherished tradition for many Cebuanos to usher in the New Year at Casino Español de Cebu. As always, the Salon de España was dressed up festively with multi-colored buntings for the occasion.
The club’s executive chef Nicolas Rafols and his able team laid out a hard-to-beat buffet that showcased all-time favorites such as paella completa, jamon serrano, savory beef stew, croquetas and tortillas, baked stuffed fish fillet with crabmeat and an assortment of salads. The dessert station had crema de Catalan, natillas and canonigo.
In keeping with the long-standing tradition, the celebration started with the parade of costumes with participants vying for the nod of the board of judges composed of Jay Harris as chairman, Caitty Schuck and Menchie llaguison.
The winners in the individual category were Kathie Javellana as an American Indian for the most colorful, Cely Chiongbian as a Mexican Aztec for most original, and Betty Young in timeless Filipiniana heritage for most elegant.
The award for the most colorful couple went to Alex and Josie Ho who were dressed in authentic Chinese attires, Ellen and Ralph Zuluaga in Tahitian costumes for most original while Gabby Leyson and Tina Jordana were ever so elegant as the characters in The King and I.
The gran premio for the most elegant group went to the Vampires led by Cheling and Susan Sala, Paking Serafica, Tony and Grace Lozada, Lisette Garcia, John and Maria Domingo, and Vic and Toots Torres.
Inspired by the F1 Grand Prix races, Louie Moro, Sony Alo and Anton Perdices sported trendy relaxed shirts while their better halves Lynn, Annabel and Maripaz looked fashionable in black and white checkered leggings earning for them the most colorful group. Andre and Maitina Borromeo, Alfonso Martinez and Meryl del Gallego, dressed as animals, were rightly given the award for the most original group.
Even before the countdown to 2014 began, the atmosphere was already jovial as many old friends met up and joined in the merry making. The Level Up and the Fire and Lites Band roared way past midnight with revelers dancing till early dawn. What a fun-filled celebration!
