Surprises

To the delight and surprise of everyone, Agnes Dekok, wife of Ambassador Jan Dekok of the European Union, performed a Tahitian dance in costume; Thai Ambassador Busba Bunnag and Brunei Ambassador Munah Dato Elias sang some Filipino songs (with passable diction), Clara Colesanti, wife of Italian Ambassador Umberto Colesanti, rendered an Italian song, and Silvie Schuff, wife of Argentine Ambassador Mario Schuff, gave a brief talk on the tango which originated in Argentina.

At the afternoon bienvenida Narda Camacho gave at the Manila Polo Club in the name of the MM Council of Women, it must have been her persuasive powers which led some of the honorees–newly-arrived women ambassadors and ambassador’s wives - to shed their inhibitions and reveal their hidden talent.

Enjoying the "revelation" were Grace Inije (Nigeria), Nan Phaung (Myanmar), Lena Hakansson (Sweden), Gul Tanghe (Belgium), Nuzhet Kazmi (Pakistan), Micheline Jess (Germany), Ulrike da Silva (Portugal) and Aziza Mansour (Egypt). Hearty applause also came from Letty Syquia (Malta), Consuls Fortune Ledesma (Monaco) and Evie Costa (Togo), Dr. Teruko Haga, Carlyn Manning, Florinda Kasten, Bambi Harper, Tessie Luz, Gemma Cruz Araneta, Nena Casimiro and Zeny Cabral. Now they’re looking forward to Narda’s next presentation.

The innovative ideas of fashion designer Lito Perez were likewise cause for surprise at the recent Santacruzan in Intramuros on which occasion, Lito turned the 40 pretty sagalas into Maria Claras, their costumes having been conceptualized in Moda 1890. The 40 escorts, for their part, were in gobernadorcillo outfits consisting of barong frock and coat, and the salakot. Also catching the eye during the spectacular procession was Clifford Chua’s statue of the Immaculada Concepcion in its resplendent finery.

The statue made its entrance after the last sagala had exited and shortly before stage actor Lou Veloso staged a moro-moro, upon Lito’s suggestion, to lend color and authenticity to the socio- religious rites commemorating the search of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena and her young son, Constantine. But most of all, the sagalas were the focus of attention. For the very first time, they assumed Maria Clara roles in Lito’s fin de siecle gowns.