Spain is in the Heart

For most Filipinos, Spain is still Madre España. Why? For the in-
delible vestiges she has left behind. Our religion, to begin with.
The Agustinians were among the first friars to arrive, and their church in the heart of Intramuros is one of the oldest.

The zarzuelas and dances of Spain have left their mark on our own. Was there any Filipino aficionado who did not feel like bounding onstage and joining the fiery flamenco dancers at the Meralco Theater?

And of course, there’s the Spanish language which was spoken by virtually everyone at the lively reception which Ambassador Ignacio Sagaz and his wife Aurora hosted at the embassy residence to celebrate the Spanish National Day.

Our cuisine likewise reflects this Spanish influence, and the evening’s guests relished the paella, the turrones, pastillas, tortillas, jamon serrano just as they would have the lengua and bacalao elsewhere.

The links are endless, and the amiable, witty Ambassador Sagaz himself never tires of telling interviewers that his own link to this country is permanent, his wife being the tall, beautiful Filipina Aurora Lapus. For her part, Aurora keeps remembering her former classmates in Maryknoll, e.g., Charisse Garcia Chuidian, Mandarin’s communications director and Mary Anne Ansaldo, wife of balladeer Jose Mari Chan. Other lovely links: vivacious Pilar Aldanese, an institution and pillar of the embassy, Charisse Lukban who assists the personable Jose Mari Fons who, in turn, assists Instituto Cervantes Director Javier Galvan. Another significant link: Fr. Pedro Galende who opted for Filipino citizenship years ago. Indeed, such Spanish filipinistas and Filipino hispanistas–to the latter, Spain will always be in the heart–flocked to the reception hosted by Ambassador Sagaz, a Spanish filipinista and his wife Aurora, a Filipino hispanista.

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The current exhibition of Betsy Westendorp might as well
have been included in the Spanish Fiesta’s calendar of events. Widow of the Fil-Spanish businessman Antonio Brias, Betsy is now a resident of Madrid. It seems, however, she’s never left this country. Her exhibition which runs through Nov. 7 at the Galleria Duemila eloquently and beautifully evinces her partiality for Philippine flowers which Ambassador Ignacio Sagaz himself admired as guest of honor at the opening.

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Naty Pappas,
widow of Greek ship-owner George Pappas, was recently feted on her birthday by her children Christina, George, Nerissa and Margarita. Business partners and long-time friends Eleftherio and Anna Belex flew from Athens just to greet Naty.

Other friends who extended birthday wishes were Baby Arenas, a clutch of ambassadors and their wives, Consuls Fortune Ledesma, Nellie Ablaza, Helen Ong, Evie Costa and Syrian Issam El Delis.

Al and Nena Casimiro, Tessie Luz, Letty Hahn, Cora Espiritu, Nelly Bengzon, Chit Gohu, Manuel and Rose Lazaro, Dr. Robert and Luz Cullen joined the lusty chorus of good wishes during the elegant dinner prepared by Via Mare.