What a pleasant surprise

Distinguished Philippine envoy to Italy, Ambassador Philippe Lhuillier, dahlings, was pleased with the surprise sprung on him by his loving wife, attractive Southern lady Edna Diago Lhuillier when he turned another leaf of his full life a gorgeous full moon ago.

Surrounded by famille and close pals gathered by Edna, the hardworking Ambassador shared a simple yet intimate dinner reunion at their sprawling, well-interiored residence in rich-y Dasmariñas Village. Edna had contacted their friends only a day before and to finalize details for the impromptu dinner.

Needless to say, palanggas, the Ambassador was absolutely, pleasantly surprised by the turnout of invitees and the outpour of affection. More so apres finding out that the arrangements had all been prepared by Edna in only 24 hours.

Bedecked with Tivoli lights, the Lhuilliers’ well-manicured lawn was crammed full of elegant white tents set up in case of a downpour. But while the entire metro was swamped during the day, the night’s cool weather proved to be perfect for a sumptuous birthday banquet.

Breezing in early-ish were well-wishers who included political hotshots like Rep. Teddyboy Locsin; Rep. Raul del Mar; super pals Buth and Bunny Campos; Justice Jun Reyes; mega broadcaster, witty and fun Mel Tiangco; Alejandro Escaño; Ambassador Jose Romero Jr.; international businessman Henri Muzzarelli; Pacqui Campos; Arturo Diago; plus other heavyweights like them, palanggas. Also seen enjoying the company of gentlemen were Edna L.’s fun gang of Lynette Raymond; Bunny Campos; Empress of Ballroom Dancing, Becky Garcia; eye-catcher Lilibeth Campos; and another Southern belle, blue-eyed fashion plate Maricris Vasquez-Prada.

Celebrating the many fruitful years of the Lhuillier patriarch, immediate famille members were well-represented. They were led by the Ambassador’s son, super achiever Jean Henri Lhuillier and his gorgeous wife, Bea Lucero-L.; daughters Jacqueline Lhuillier-Hess, Christine Lhuillier-Limjoco and Angelique Lhuillier-Miranda, all escorted by their tres popular young businessmen hubbies.

At the end of the bash, when everyone had gone their separate ways, Ambassador Lhuillier and Edna reminisced fondly on the fantastic surprise bash shared with their beautiful famille and true pals.

Cheers to everyone’s palanggas, Ambassador Philippe Lhuillier!

A night of culture

Those civic-oriented women better known as the Friends for Cultural Concerns of the Philippines (FCCP) held a tres successful, chi-chi cultural happening at the sprawling mansion of their founding chairman, philanthropist and hostess with the mostest Chito Madrigal-Collantes, dahlings.

The event was the first of what has been planned as a Home Concert series. It is a project of the Audience Development Committee which has socialite and art lover Tessie Luz as director and another of Cosmo Manille’s super hostess Letty Syquia as chairperson.

Letty S., who initiated the super project, palanggas, unfortunately was unable to attend the function because of personal reasons.

The presentation consisting of varied programs drew praises from the chi-chi crowd. As always, Tessie Luz emceed the program beautifully. Incumbent president, Chloe Romulo-Periquet delivered the welcome message. This was followed by the induction of new members with Chito M.C. administering the oath.

Super talented nine-year-old pianist, Ma. Regina Montesclaros, opened the program proper with her performances of pieces by Bach, Mozart and Schumann, no less, palanggas. Ma. Regina, a student of Cecile Basilio-Roxas, mesmerized the audience with her precocious mastery of the keyboard. Fantastic!

The Philippine High School for the Arts then presented three numbers by their Sanghiyas Dance Troupe which is made up of dancers and instrumentalists. The group showed a level of competence that would not have been expected of a high school group.

Next came the Las Piñas Elementary School Rondalla group which played several spirited renditions that elicited hearty applause from the audience.

Hotshots like mezzo-soprano Agnes Garcia-Barredo and baritone Marvin Gayramon took over the stage with four Philippine compositions. Accompanying them at the piano was talented accompanist Miguel Castro.

Ballet Philippines rounded out the presentations with two numbers. The first was an excerpt from Realizing Rama by Mica Bernas while the second was Le Vigilant by Clark Rambuyon.

Tessie Luz delivered the closing remarks in place of Letty Syquia, apres which the hardworking committee members were called forward to be acknowledged: Pilie Aquino, who was in charge of registration; Chit Gohu, the program coordinator, assisted by Fanny Blanco; Lulu Castañeda who handled the newsletter; Fortune Ledesma who took charge of food arrangements (which incidentally, was hosted by Chito Madrigal-Collantes); Nene Leonor, who was in charge of publicity; Olga Martel of invitations; Lin Liboro and Nena Casimiro who took charge of reception; and Boysie Villavicencio who handled the physical arrangements. Other committee members were glamorous Millie Ablaza; alabaster beauty Mars Lambino; and feminine beauty and fashion plate Helen Ong.

Heading the enthusiastic audience, palanggas, was Manuel Collantes, who always heartily supports his wife; our palangga, Philippine STAR’s Baby Orosa; Lady of Ladies, Boots Anson-Roa; Ambassador Ray Inije of Nigeria and his wife; CCP president Nestor Jardin; CCP chairman of the board Balthazar Endriga; globe-trotting society lady Jojo Zabarte; Grand Lady of Literature and author Chitang Nakpil and her handsome grandson Leon Araneta; plus stalwart FCCP members like Cez Manalo, Thelma Gana, Susan Macuja, Nenuca Blardony, Margaret Go, Tessie Amparo, Celing Batungbacal, Grace Brunner, Nene Co, Beth Cristobal, Erlie Gamboa, Babbit Goudsmit, Alice Briones, fashionable Tereret Liboro, Karen Macasaet, and vivacious Southern socialite Lucille Villanueva.

A Country Fair in Tagaytay

The one-of-a-kind Colors and Flavors in Tagaytay fair was held on two consecutive weekends during the Chinese full moon celebration, dahlings, at the breezy Ming’s Garden Solutions along Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road, dahlings.

Colors and Flavors in Tagaytay showcased anew the best arts and crafts and food products mainly from the Southern Luzon area. Some products are timely for the Christmas gift-giving season, which will surely encourage buyers to buy in bulk.

The event was sponsored by the Patnubay sa Kaunlaran ng Tagaytay Foundation for the benefit of the tres efficient Tagaytay City Fire Department. "This is a fusion of exquisite arts, crafts, plants, flowers, food, health products, home decor, and more," said our dearest palangga, Southern lady, former First Lady Amelita "Ming" Ramos, no less. She is the super Patnubay chairman.

Participating exhibitors included the Flower Farm Corp.; Ilog Maria Bee Farm; Bag of Beans; Gourmet’s Farms; Mushroomburger Corp.; Popo San Pascual’s Arts; Recuerdo’s Antiques; and Ming’s Garden Solutions, natch!

There was also a portrait painting sessions and caricature sessions by the country’s different noted artists.

For inquiries on future participation, palanggas, please call Dely Castillo at the Patnubay Secretariat, Develoment Academy of the Philippines, Tagaytay City, with tel. no. (045) 413-1290 to 292, or (045) 413-2643. It was fabi way to pass a relaxing weekend driving up to Tagaytay.

Don’t worry, be happy.

See you.