An unforgettable celebration of all things Latin America recently took place at your columnist’s “32nd anniversary of his 50th birthday” held at the majestic Grand Ballroom of The Bellevue Manila. Graced with the presence of the Ambassador of Panama Rolando Guevara Alvarado, Brazilian minister counsellor Fernanda Soares dos Santos representing the Ambassador of Brazil Rodrigo Do Amaral Souza, Ambassador of Venezuela Capaya Rodríguez González, Ambassador of Chile Jose Miguel Capdevila, Ambassador of Colombia Victor Hugo Echeverri, Ambassador of Mexico Gerardo Lozano Arredondo and Ambassador Designate of Argentina José Néstor Ureta as well as The Bellevue Hotels & Resorts (BH&R)’s visionary chairman Johnny Chan and his son The Bellevue Manila managing director Patrick Chan, the affair was an extraordinary commemoration of Latin American culture as each country had an opportunity to showcase its finest music, traditional dance, and national dress. My friends from the diplomatic, government, business, and social circles enjoyed refreshing cocktails at the hotel’s elegant lobby as well as having their portraits taken at the colorful Latin American-inspired photo wall display. They were treated to a fun welcome dance, after which they were led upstairs to partake of the lavish cuisine catered by the hotel’s outstanding team of chefs and to witness the evening’s lineup of superb performances inspired by the different Latin American countries. The festivity was truly one for the books and a worthwhile way to celebrate my birthday. Many thanks to everyone who made this event possible – the ambassadors, Titania Wines, Rustan’s, Beabi, Laneige and Aficionado Perfumes and Personal Care. Thank you all for a wonderful evening and I will see you again next year!
(From left) Ambassador Designate of Argentina José Néstor Ureta, Ambassador of Mexico Gerardo Lozano Arredondo, Ambassador of Colombia Victor Hugo Echeverri, Brazilian minister counsellor Fernanda Soares dos Santos, your columnist, Jayelles’ Roselle Rebano, Ambassador of Panama Rolando Guevara Alvarado, Ambassador of Venezuela Capaya Rodríguez González and Ambassador of Chile Jose Miguel Capdevila
Ambassador Victor Hugo Echeverri and SM Investments Corp. vice chair Tessie Sy-Coson with Marissa and husband presidential adviser for entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion
(Seated) Guatemala consul Mellie Ablaza and husband Zambia consul Louie Ablaza, Felicia Rodriguez with (standing, from left) Madison Galeries’ Joel Rustia, ambassador Rolando Guevara Alvarado, Madison Galeries’ Joy Rustia, Flora and Enrique Chua, Monaco consul general Fortune Ledesma and Lexus Manila Inc. president Raymond Rodriguez
(From left) The Bellevue Manila managing director Patrick Chan, Ericka Tenefrancia, Chermae Fabro, your columnist, The Bellevue Hotels & Resorts chairman Johnny Chan, B Hotels managing director Ryan Chan and The Bellevue Resort managing director Dustin Chan
(From left) Mariza Arciniega Aguirre of Mexico, ambassador designate José Néstor Ureta, Ramin Mahmoudi, Veronica Foxley of Chile, ambassador of Austria Bita Rasoulian, ambassador Jose Miguel Capdevila, US minister counsellor and deputy chief of mission Michael Klecheski and wife Eloisa with Adriana Clorinda Tomas of Argentina
Bonifacio Landmark Realty president Hans Hauri and wife Bo with Marco Polo Davao director of sales and marketing Pearl Peralta-Maclang
Advance Group of Companies president Connie Haw, Olga Martel, Agile Zamora and The Gambia consul Agnes Huibonhoa
Wilcon SEVP-COO Rosemarie Ong and Sheree Chua with EMotors Inc. president and CEO Beth Lee and chairman Helen Lee
Marcus Soares dos Santos and wife minister counsellor Fernanda Soares dos Santos with Henann Group of Resorts vice president for marketing Karl Chusuey
Ambassador Capaya Rodríguez González, Baby De Jesus and Irene Kho
Litton & Co. marketing and leasing manager Angela Litton Falcon, Mila How and Jayelles’ Tara Litton
Ambassador Jesus Tambunting OBE with ambassador of Singapore Kok Li Peng
Senator Dick Gordon with former Department of Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario
LCS Group of Companies president and chairman Chavit Singson with Jazz Carreon
Hoseki founder Faico and wife corporate affairs director Zabeth Co with partner and chief creative officer Knoi Esmane
Ramin Mahmoudi with ambassador of Russia Igor Khovaev
Former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario and wife Gretchen
Ambassador Gerardo Lozano Arredondo and CTBC Bank Philippines vice chairman Bill Go
Freddie Garcia with Glecy Mojares
Beabi owner Willin Chan and Laneige owner Winnie Go
DMARK Corp. CEO Nikki Tang with Anchor Land Holdings Inc. president Beth Ventura