What was this unique place? The Q.C. residence of Jesus "Susing" and Maritess R. Pineda. Special guests, among others, were Ambassadors Gilles Chouraqui, Theo Arnold and his statuesque, exotic wife Kessara, Deanna Ongpin Recto, FA Adviser/First Secretary of RPs Permanent Delegation to the UNESCO, Gina de Venecia, Isagani Yambot and Jose Manuel "Babes" Romualdez.
The superb native menu was "climaxed" by bibingka and sumandelicious!and the delightful musical, which followed, inevitably turned into an entertaining "contest" (a most friendly one, to be sure) between Eileen Espinosa Cura and tenor Lionel Guico who sang operatic arias, and Ramon "Chinggoy" Alonso who sang hits from Broadway and the West End. Batangas impresario Tony Pastor surprised the audience with wonderful piano renditions of Mozart and Chopin.
Immediate past president Tata Labrador, who had accomplished so much during her tenure, was succeeded by the equally energetic Maribel Ongpin as the new president. Gracious Gina de Venecia, in an exquisite terno, inducted the new Museum Foundation of the Philippines officers who were likewise in elegant evening wear.
After the induction, the night really began: guests still suffused with the holiday spirit, took to the floor to "trip the light fantastic" (Miltons words) and danced till the wee hours! No doubt, the absent trusteesChing Escaler, Amando Doronila, Robert Lane, Ambeth Ocampo and Cynthia Valdesmissed an evening like no other.