CEBU, Philippines - Very few occasions are more important and heartfelt than a celebration of 50 years of married life.
On the eve of their golden anniversary, couple Michel Lhuillier, honorary consul of France and business tycoon, and his lovely wife Amparito, philanthropist and style icon, hosted an intimate dinner for family, relatives and friends at their well-appointed home in Maria Luisa Park.
Given the fact that Amparito was Manila-born and -bred but Cebuana by choice, most of the guests that evening came from the nation’s capital who flew in for the occasion. The highlight of the affair was the endearing musical presentations by the 10 grandchildren, complete with choreography.
The following night, the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral “se puso muy guapa” with a beautifully arranged multitude of ferns and gigantic candles that lined the aisle. At exactly 6:45 p.m. the entourage made their way to the front of the altar led by the couple’s four children Charles and Joana Lhuillier, Michael and Joanna Lhuillier, Franck and Yvette Warnod and Thomas and Monqiue Bugbee. The grandchildren followed suit.
Standing as principal sponsors were Pilar Zaragoza, escorted by her son Vinchi, philanthropists couple Carlos and Mariquita Yeung, Amparito’s younger sister Anna Marie Dizon with husband Johnny, Michel’s siblings Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Philippe Lhuillier and Margie Lhuillier, and childhood friends, ageless Rosebud Sala and event specialist par excellance Teresin Mendezona. Officiating the solemn mass was Reverend Father Ernesto Javier who heartily spoke on the celebration of a wedding jubilee.
The well-orchestrated reception that immediately followed at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel was impressive and flawless. Amiable general manager Hans Hauri braved the daunting challenge and produced an extraordinary evening for the invitees. His attention to detail on every aspect of the preparation and implementation ensured a truly unforgettable and genuinely fun event .
Setting the elegant note were fields of lush green ferns with touches of white calla lilies, phaleanopsis and dendrubiums lovingly put together by Cebu’s matchless Florist Pinky Chang and party planner Teresin Mendezona.
A well-prepared video presentation chronicling memorable moments through the years featured the couple’s wedding day in Manila in 1964, their exciting travels here and abroad, and unforgettable family gatherings. All four children spoke from the heart and shared their love and admiration for their parents who undoubtedly raised them all to be exemplary individuals some parents could only wish for.
On the sidelines, gushing over her parents, Monique confided that her mom’s anniversary outfit was inspired from the wedding gown of 50 years ago. An interesting mix of two bridal traditions, something old and something new, the gown allowed Amparito to pay tribute to her old bridal attire by Pedrito Legaspi while remaining relevantly fashionable in the contemporary times. “Monique incorporated the train from the original dress and placed tulle and lace, embellishing it with crystals and beads to craft a new dress,” Amparito revealed.
One of the endearing highlights of the festivities was centered on 38 female friends of Amparito, all “viudas,” who were presented each with a beautiful set of pearl earrings.
For the entertainment, talented singer and endorser for M Lhuillier pawnshops for the past 11 years Ogie Alcasid rendered the couple’s favorite songs. Meanwhile, the gifted scholars of the Amparito Llamas Foundation likewise did several upbeat song-and-dance numbers that delighted everyone.
The celebration echoed the distinctive nature of the couple. In thanksgiving and in lieu of gifts, guests were asked to give a donation to several charities: The Children of Cebu Foundation, Little Bamboo Foundation, and the Amparito Llamas Lhuillier Education Foundation.