FELIZAÑO NUEVO
A century-old traditional celebration at the CASINO ESPAÑOL DE CEBU
On New Year's Eve, all roads lead to Casino Español de Cebu. It is a well-honored pilgrimage for a save for the Second hundred years,
World War.
During the last day of the year, most members and their families gather for the solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist officiated by Monsignor Achilles Dacay for the annual blessings to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new.
The babies and toddlers, the teenagers and their respective gangs and the caringly-assisted frail and the fragile, head for home for an early repass. After rest and sleep (hopefully), they will be wakened as the calendar changes dates.
As the sun sets, los miembros gather back at the hotspot for cocktails of locally loved cervezas, sangria, y Vinos de España. They are paired with favorite picas y tapas of gambas al ajillo, boquerones, croquetas, tortillas, patatas bravas, and a wide selection of chorizos y jamones.
For some, this is an opportunity to welcome compañeros del Colegio
from Manila, old chums from cities like Bais and Dumaguete, Bacolod and Ilo-ilo, rancheros from Cagayan de Oro and Malaybalay, and hacienderos
from Leyte. Everyone seems to know everyone, as they amble around for idle chatter.
Then, the doors to the Salon de España swing open. A reception line of seven Board of Directors and their spouses welcome everyone for another evening of fun and frolicking, camaraderie and companionship, fellowship and friendship. There is an important requirement, however: no costume, no entry. No compromise, as simple as that.
The Grand Ballroom bursts with decorations in the classic colors of red, yellow and more red—an ode to the Spanish flag. They would cover the ceiling and hug the walls in waves and loops, eclipsed by balloons of all shades.
All now seated, the entire hall falls quiet for the Welcome Address of the club president, though guests may be seen silently blowing reciprocated kisses and raising goblets to saludos across the room.
I beg your indulgence as I digress for a little bit of history. Casino Español de Cebu was founded on January 1st, 1920 by a group of friends: Ramon Aboitiz, brother Vidal Aboitiz, cousin Manuel Moraza, friends Bartolome Picornell, Francisco Jarque, and Silviano Cermeño, who would meet up regularly after a hard day's work. The pretty residencia con jardin slowly became a second home for most, where their wives and children would later join them.
Past presidents include several members of families like the Aboitizes, Morazas, Lhuilliers, Osmeñas, Mendezonas, plus Quinito Ubago (who served the longest), and Jose Corrales, father of the popular concert singer Pilita Corrales.
Today, the clubhouse lies on Ranudo Street, which has become synonymous with the complex. It hosts a myriad of recreational facilities and a plethora of dining places while it continues to excel in the service of attentiveness and graciousness.
The entire staff has somehow adapted (consciously or otherwise) the generational tradition of the founders, as the sons, daughters, cousins and other family members have likewise found gainful employment in this home away from home. As a result, they know the members’ preferences and
anticipate their needs throughout their stay.
The menus feature the best in the city, all inspired by heirloom recipes while others share new dishes experienced from travels. Though mostly Spanish fare, it offers other cuisines. At the end of the day, it is still proud to have the classic home-cooked taste we all long for.
After the very last word of the president, complete madness and utter chaos ensues. The beginning of the neverending mad rush to the dance floor, as if pulled by an irresistible magnet, is heralded by the first note of pop and rock bands. An eclectic selection of dance songs, both old hits and new trends, to get everyone in a dancing mood.
While this goes on, señores, señoras y señoritas move from table to table, to catch up with the latest on each other’s lives. Meanwhile, others sneakily commit a disappearing act to go into previously reserved function rooms for last-minute enhancements on their tailor-made costumes, complete with hairdressers and makeup artists on call. Oh yes, I have seen families and groups rehearse their presentations between Christmas and New Year, complete with choreographers. It is all geared for a cutthroat competition!
In time, the Grand Parade of Costumes begins.
Accompanied by their very own earlier-coordinated background music, each contestant goes around the arena to woo the cheering onlookers. And, of course, they want to impress the hiddenin the-crowd, experienced-in-their-fields, non-member out-of-town judges.
Some memorable entries in the past years included a Chinese Emperor, a Russian Czar, colorful clowns, mystical gypsies, rowdy cowboys and a Star Wars presentation, complete with the iconic Imperial March soundtrack.
How can one forget the cultural tributes to a retelling of Swan Lake, the Buckingham Palace Guards, the powerful depictions of the Pharaoh and their Queens, the feuding families of the Capulets and Montagues with their Romeo and Juliet, the Roman Senate complete with laurels on their heads, and the entire Imperial Court of Marie Antoinette and Louis the XVI?
These theatrics are limited to a few minutes and the performances are timed to the mere millisecond. There is no room for errors here, razor-thin precision is required. Generous cash prizes are awarded to the Most Elegant, Most Colorful and Most Original. But the rewards—no matter how attractive—are never enough to pay for the costumes and everything that comes with it.
As how they do it in Spain, the Gran Ceña del Año at 10pm is held at the adjacent Salon de Madrid. The place serves only the best of the best, all made according to the revered Spanish culinary practices, with lots of love and full of care.
After dinner, the winners are announced to the crowd’s delight, regardless of the outcome. This sets the bedlam of all cheers and applauses, which signals the resumption of frenzy on the dance floor. This is where
we catch glimpses of eye-tearing solidarity of families –our hearts tighten as fathers danced with daughters, mothers with sons, siblings together and among cousins galore. This is the sacredness of familial bonds.
There is a much-respected, never-mentioned-butexpected obligation to dance with everyone else – where tias ask their sobrinos, tios expect their sobrinas
to take them for a spin on the floor. There is the everpresent snakelike conga line that grows by the second and circles around the room and at times, even out of the venue.
After the initial burst of energy, entire families leave to join their old folks at home for the doce uvas
ritual, while the younger couples wish to be with their kids before midnight. However, they would always return to rejoin the fiesta.
As the emcee calls the hall's attention periodically with announcements such as “¡Trenta minutos!” followed by “¡Quince minutos!” the two bands harmoniously play bouncy
music together.
Then we reach the Grand Countdown, where the eager pack shouts in unison—one-louder-than-the-next—"¡diez! ¡Nueve! ¡Ocho! ¡Siete! ¡Seis! ¡Cinco! ¡Cuatro! ¡Tres! ¡Dos! ¡Uno! ¡Feliz año Nuevo!”
Balloons immediately drop from the canopy, as the company engages in never-ending besos y mas besos, abrazos y mas abrazos, with overflowing glasses of champagne to toast amidst all the imaginable noise makers, while fireworks light up the night sky of a brand new year.
Another year, another tradition upheld.
Sadly, last year, with no complaints, nor regrets, there will be no merrymaking at the Casino Español de Cebu even at the end of its first centennial. However, while members, families and friends go their separate ways, for now, they have all together made a silent vow they will be back when times are better. A promise. Una promesa.