Dia De Santiago At Casino Español De Cebu

Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Luis Arias and his charming wife Soledad de Arias were guests of honor at the recent annual celebration of Dia de Santiago held at the Grand Ballroom of the Casino Español de Cebu.

Club president Manuel Sainz and his supportive wife Melba, together with members of the board, house chairman Jose Luis Alba and his Rosemary, treasurer Rene Kintanar and his spouse Joy, and director for cultural affairs Jimmy Escaño and his better half Ellen were on hand to warmly greet members and their guests to an evening of tapas and excellent wines.

Sainz, in his brief welcome remarks, explained that the Dia, as it is popularly known, has been celebrated by the club since its founding in 1920.

Ed Tongco, the hands-on and amiable general manager of the club masterfully planned and created the exquisite menu that consisted of a fabulous spread of tapas from Spanish cheeses such as Manchego, Garcia Baquero and Zamora to mixed seafood salads, spinach topped with goat cheese and balsamic vinaigrette, ensalada mixta, and three colored fire roasted peppers with olive oil. Delights from the sea included shrimp in Albarino wine sauce, fresh tuna in a tomato and basil sauce, mussels steamed in their own juice with bay leaf and lemon, fried young calamari served with dipping sauce,  salmon with red and piquillo peppers and bacalao a la Vizcaina.

Completing the never-seen-before-selection were the tapas de la tierra that consisted of chicken in mustard sauce, slow roasted lamb shanks simmered with red wine, chorizo al vino tinto o en cerveza, smoked salmon with capers and fresh dill cream sauce, slow roasted U.S. Angus chuck roll of beef and the must-have paella Iberica baked in its own pan with saffron rice.

A mouth watering flan de caramelo, baked rice pudding with milk and cinnamon, and Catalonian style cream custard covered with hard caramel completed the gastronomic meal.

Seen enjoying the evening were past presidents Michel Lhuillier and his philanthropist wife Amparito, Miguel del Gallego, Jose Sala and his dedicated wife Susan, active members Manuel and Margot Larrañaga, Marit Remonde,  Marlinda Tan, Jose Mari Moras, Eric and Conchita Van Gildre,  Jose Mari Miranda and guests restaurateur Joey Villareal, hotelier Fritz Kahler and his petite wife Cynthia and Spanish language teacher Mariton Villaflor.

 With this combination of culinary creations, excellent wines and great camaraderie, it truly was an event for the senses and spirit.