Inter-Cultural Union

CEBU, Philippines - With today's international communication and travel so accessible and convenient, multi-national and multi-cultural individuals and families getting together is no longer uncommon. This is the story of one such lady who ventured into the world not knowing exactly what life had to offer.

Some eleven years ago, as promised by her parents Ramon Jarque and Lisa Mill Irving, their eldest daughter Margarita after graduating from the Cebu International School left for Europe.

Her first stop was London were she stayed with her uncle Edu who was then Tourism Attache of the Department of Tourism and attached to the Philippine Embassy to the Court of Saint James.

There she met Marco Bellal, a hands-on manager of a popular Spanish restaurant on Kensington Court right on the same building where she was temporarily billeted. Daily encounters naturally led to deepening friendship.

However, Margarita continued her voyage of discovery and left for Valencia in Spain to enhance her linguistic prowess. She stayed with her aunt Ana Fe Lujan, who owns a language academy. However, the long distance did not stop Marco from staying in touch through emails and telephone calls.

After a year, Margarita returned to London and their friendship flourished. Eventually love set in, and wedding bells rang. The couple decided to settle in one of the city suburbs and soon was blessed with a lovely daughter Leila.

Ten wonderful years of marriage is more than enough reason for a celebration and the Bellal's visited Cebu recently to commemorate this special occasion among close family and dear friends.

The grand Salon de Madrid of the Casino Español de Cebu was transformed into a romantic Algerian setting complete with satin tents, intricately carved low tables and fluffy floor cushions. Adhering to the dress code, most invitees came in colorful kaftans.

The club's talented Executive Chef Toto de los Reyes masterfully prepared an authentic Algerian menu that delighted the guests. There was roasted lamb, wonderfully flavored tajines, steamed fish, chicken couscous, salad with yogurt and for dessert the popular baklava, a rich, sweet pastry made of layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped walnuts and sweetened with honey.

Margarita’s parents welcomed everyone and gave heartfelt and grateful speeches thanking those present for making the evening even more memorable.

Among the visiting out-of-town guests were Marco's brother, Paris-based Djamel, his wife Sassi and their two children. Relatives Tony and Fenian Moran, Brian and Chaveli Head with their one and only Sebi, flew in   from Manila, so did Pop-C Jaranilla and her children Mario and Karina with her boyfriend Oliver Oligario. Close friends Robbi and Amanda Vicente travelled by land and sea from Dumaguete .

Immediately after the delicious desserts, the couple took to the dance floor and performed a typical Algerian dance. Marco who normally is shy dropped all inhibitions and danced with heart and soul. Mike Sasnouvski, an international ballroom competitor gamely obliged the lady ballroom enthusiasts with the swing, rumba, and rock and roll.

Margarita and Marco, her parents, Ramon and Lisa, sister Cristina, only brother Eduque, in their pursuit of perfection were the ideal hosts. They had a keen sense of what their guests would enjoy, down to the ambience, to the food and of course great company.

Beautifully wrapped delicacies flown in from London were given to each invitee as a souvenir of a truly unforgettable evening.