A ball for the love of Cebu

“Beauty is the promise of happiness.” – Edmund Burke

The ever lovely and dedicated Mariquita Yeung put her Midas touch once again in the recently concluded Masquerade Ball at the Waterfont Hotel in Cebu, which was attended by well-known figures in the social, civic and business communities.

Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama and Gov. Gwen Garcia could not have chosen a better person than Mariquita to organize this colorful, Venetian-themed ball aimed to raise funds for the Beautiful Cebu Movement Foundation. The world-class affair featured fabulous costumes and settings, topnotch entertainment from Le Cirque du Soleil and multi-talented artists Pinky Marquez and Martin Nivera, and an auction of items from generous donors including Ambassador Philippe Lhuillier, Carlos Yeung, furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue, Janice Minor, San Miguel Brewery Corp., Westminster Holding Corp. and Chong Hua Hospital. Also showing its full support to the foundation was the Taiheiyo Cement Corp., which donated 6,000 bags of cement to complete the Beautify Cebu project.

Congratulations, Mariquita, for this very successful and remarkable event that would surely go a long way in making Cebu better, cleaner and more beautiful!

A riveting evening of Argentine tango

Philippines-Argentina Business Council chairman Susing Pineda and wife Maritess with Argentine Ambassador Joaquin Daniel Otero and wife Marta.

The gracious Jesus “Susing” Pineda Jr., chairman of the Philippines-Argentina Business Council recently hosted a special welcome dinner for the world-renowned Tango Fire Company of Buenos Aires, which was in the country for a two-night-only tango extravaganza.

Special guests enjoyed a fine evening of great food and the passionate Argentine tango performed by the group. Seen during the fantastic affair were Argentine Ambassador Joaquin Daniel Otero, former President Joseph Estrada, Ballet Philippines chairman Antonio “Tonyboy” Cojuangco and president Margie Moran-Floirendo, and Dr. Vicki Belo, to name a few.

Proceeds of the show went to Ballet Philippines Foundation’s Noordin Jumalon Dance Scholarship Fund, which supports talented and underprivileged dance students.

Congratulations!

GREETINGS

Happy birthday to our celebrators today, Alicia Flores of Silay and Cinderella’s Therese Coronel-Santos.

Advanced birthday greetings to Geronimo de los Reyes, architect Ramon Antonio, gracious lady Gloria Angara and FLEHD president Dr. Adolfo Bellosillo, April 16; STAR Lifestyle editor Millet Martinez-Mananquil, businessman Charlie Rufino and Splendido’s Katrina Ponce Enrile, April 17; Lopez Group of Companies chairman Oscar Lopez and Stephanie Palma Gil, April 19; Marilou Lovina, April 20; and Jayelles’ Suzette del Rosario-Morelos, businessman Raffy Rufino, Marivic Rufino and STAR Entertainment editor Ricky Lo, April 21.

Happy wedding anniversary to Celuch and Bonggoy Manahan, April 18. May you have many cherished years together.

So, how was your week?

 (For comments or inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com.)