Lovely & golden

The 50th golden wedding anniversary celebration of Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Tonet Lagdameo and his wife, adorable Linda Floirendo-Lagdameo, was low-key but impressive and heartwarming.

Held at the elegant trés privé members club in Bonifacio Global City, Manila House, the celebration of the couple’s 50 years of togetherness, organized by their fantastic children Anton Jr., Mayen, Reena, JM, Cary, Cat and Isabel, started with flowing cocktail drinks and aperitifs. It then segued to a divine casual dinner with the chosen guests, among them were former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, early birds Manolet Lagdameo, Ernest Lagdameo, blooming newlyweds who are still in honeymoon Cloud 9 Baby Cruz and Danny Vazquez, Karen Santos, the couple’s gorgeous daughters-in-law Dawn Zulueta Lagdameo and Tina Trillana-Lagdameo, former Philippine Ambassador to Spain Carlos Salinas and his wife Lita and super simpatico former Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Ignacio Sagaz and his wife, southern lady of dedication Aurora S.

Also seen at the celebration were Beaver Lopez, Carol Garcia, “Rock and Roll” couple Frannie and RJ Jacinto, woman of all seasons Doris Ho, Tet Lara, Greggy and Irene Araneta, my palangga Martin Romualdez, Greg and Weng Domingo, Anthony and Dinggay Sasin, Choy Cojuangco, Jose Mari Chan and wife Mary Ann, Ernest Escaler, art collector Fe Rodriguez, former Sen. Serge Osmeña and wife Bettina, Connie Araneta, Baby Serrano Araneta, Joe Fores and Louie Guerrero of the popular pub and resto Pappy, plus others like them, palanggas.

The Soulful Mood Strings played bossa nova favorites and current tunes rendered with a classical twist.

Tonet and Linda’s siblings were all present, and accounted for with their spouses — Mari and Le Lagdameo, Ricky and Jenny Floirendo, Vincent and Mia Floirendo, and Marissa Floirendo. Missing from the golden wedding celebration were Linda’s siblings Davao del Norte Rep. Tonyboy Floirendo and Maricris Brias, who were in the US. Sister-in-law Margie Moran came with her sister, London-based Lulette Monbiot, and was seen relieving her daughter Monica Ugarte and son-in-law Keenan Ugarte from carrying her granddaughter Cosima in their arms all night. 

The hip set of today with breeding, dahlings, were the dashing Jaime Brias back from college in the US and Alfonso Fores.  Linda and Tonet’s young grandchildren sat at their own table, with the boys Jacobo and Paco looking especially dapper, and the girls Danni, Anda, Ayisha, Celine, Katrina and Martina looking like princesses.

Anton, JM and Cary gave touching tributes to their parents  “for all their distinguished record of service in business and diplomacy.” They added that to their parents, “their children are their pride, joy and their golden trophy.”

Meanwhile, Manila House PR and event director, eyecatching Bambina Olivares, did hell of a great job organizing the event.

Complementing the free-flowing bar, dahlings, was an array of endless to-die-for Jabugo ham, homemade bagnet and different cheeses from the best countries they came from.

 Dinner consisted of a hearty spread of sushi, paella, fresh oysters, lechon de leche, prime rib, a pasta station offering two sauces (ikura and caviar), and chorizo and clams; plus a dessert bar with Manila House staples Red Velvet and Chocolate Caramel cakes. There were also my favorite calamansi tart together with a seasonal fruit tart and the famous pastillas of the couple’s daughter-in-law Iya Lagdameo.

It is the wedding anniversary of the year — definitely the 50th wedding anniversary celebration that would be hard to beat.

To my dearest pals from way back, Ambassador Tonet and wife Linda, here is to the 60th,  palanggas.

Cheers! —Photos by Alex Van Hagen powered by MAC Center