Your columnist’s recent birthday celebration at The Bellevue Manila, with the theme Fiesta Latina, is perhaps one of the most memorable ones to date.
Members of the government, diplomatic, business, and social sectors flocked to the fivestar hotel’s elegantly decorated Grand Ballroom to celebrate Latin American culture. Special thanks to Panamanian Ambassador Rolando
Guevara Alvarado, who is also the dean of the Latin American ambassadors, and also the Latin American ambassadors who graciously organized well-crafted booths that displayed the best of their countries, including a song number and dance performances that showcased their respective countries’ national music, dance and costumes.
Leading the pack of superb entertainers was Asia’s Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales, who beguiled the audience with a few songs. Capping off the night was the Coronation of Carnival Queens — Guatemala Consul Mellie Ablaza, Rachel de Guzman, Grace Gobing, Dr. Elsie Pascua, Connie Haw, Crystal Jacinto and Czarina Ablaza-Syquia. It was an unforgettable celebration of Latin America, which holds a special place in my heart as it was where my wife Tere and I spent several months traveling from country to country for our honeymoon. The festivity would not have been possible without the support of our bighearted partners — The Bellevue Manila led by The Bellevue Hotels & Resorts (BH&R) chairman Johnny Chan and his son The Bellevue Manila managing director Patrick Chan as well as Titania Wines, Rustan’s, Beabi, Laneige and Aficionado Perfumes and Personal Care.
Thank you to everyone who came to my birthday and I look forward to seeing you all in the years to come!
(From left) Guatemala Consul Mellie Ablaza, Argentinean Ambassador Designate José Néstor Ureta, Grace Gobing, Chilean Ambassador Jose Miguel Capdevila, Connie Haw, Mexican Ambassador Gerardo Lozano Arredondo, Czarina Ablaza-Syquia, Panamanian Ambassador Rolando Guevara Alvarado, Jayelles’ Roselle Rebano, your columnist, Crystal Jacinto, Venezuelan Ambassador Capaya Rodríguez González, Colombian Ambassador Victor Hugo Echeverri, Dr. Elsie Pascua, Brazilian minister counsellor Fernanda Soares dos Santos and Rachel de Guzman.
(Seated) Natalie Lim Ang, Eni Alba and Grace Gobing; (standing, from left) Dr. Elton See Tan, Rita Dy, Marissa Fenton, Carolyn Tan, Brenda Ngo and City of Dreams Manila VP for public relations Charisse Chuidian.
Mexican Ambassador Gerardo Lozano Arredondo and wife Mariza Arciniega Aguirre.
Argentinian Ambassador Designate José Néstor Ureta and wife Adriana Clorinda Tomas.
(From left) Noel and Eileen Gonzales, Bert and Nonie Basilio, Philippine Red Cross governor Baby Ortiz, Angie Sison, Nena Casimiro, Baby de Jesus and Shelly Lazaro.
(Seated) Gene and Lydia Reyes, 2018 Best Dressed Women of the Philippines awardee Bettina Nicole Reyes; (standing, from left) Chuchi Villar, Milo Bondoc, Baby Ortiz, Beging Soriano and Prescy Yulo.
Rose Lazaro with Ambassador Victor Garcia and wife Connie.
(From left) Nene Quimson and your columnist with Menchu and Ronnie Concepcion.
(Seated) Nini Licaros, Alice Samson and Bob Miller; (standing, from left) Marissa Fenton, Nini Layug, 2018 Best Dressed Women of the Philippines Style Icon Yoli Ayson and Ito Curata.
(Seated) Josie Go, Julie Choa and Arlene Chan; (standing) Elsa Ang and Ayna Ong.
Titania Wines’ Paige Meneses with Mhel Pechera and Sally Hofileña.
Ambassador Mercy Tuason with Boling and Vic Reyes.
(From left) Beabi owner Willin Chan, Richprime Global Inc. president and CEO Myrna Yao, Grace Glory Go and Richard Tiu.
Ofelia Wadle, Jennifer Weigel and Amelia Ting.
Minerva Tanseco and Beng Fores.
Dr. Jimmy Laya with Grace Palma-Tiongco.
Ruthy and Bobet Vera.
M i m i a n d R e u b e n Valerio.