At the Gold Medal Gala

“Strength and growth come only  through continuous effort and struggle.” — Napoleon Hill

Former US First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Hollywood actor Antonio Banderas were honored with the esteemed Gold Medal Award at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute’s Gold Medal Gala held at the Waldorf Astoria on Park Avenue in New York City.

Queen Sofia of Spain personally presented the awards to the two honorees recognized for their ongoing contributions in promoting and strengthening the Spanish-American bond through their extraordinary careers.

Prominent fashion designer and chairman of the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute Oscar de la Renta hosted the event. Former US Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger and actor Michael Douglas served as presenters for Clinton and Banderas, respectively.

Among the event’s illustrious lineup of guests included celebrated designers Valentino and Diane von Furstenberg, Melanie Griffith and our very own lawyer Mela Bengzon, managing partner at The Bengzon Law Firm.

Greetings

Advance birthday greetings to celebrity golfer and actor Richard Gomez and Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco Sr., April 7; HMI’s Ernest Rufino Jr., lawyer Johnny del Rosario and Moët Hennessy’s Randy Uson, April 8; Cyndy Tan-Jarabata, Dinah Ventura, Isah Red and Dusit Thani’s Liezel Zialcita, Camp John Hay COO Alfredo Yñiguez III, Eskaya Beach Resort’s Ralph Lim, April 10; Robby Mananquil, Rissa Mananquil-Trillo and past FCCP president Thelma Gana, April 11; Ambassador Victor Garcia, Allure’s Philip Cu-Unjieng, Eduardo Aguado Sr., Chichi Laperal and Ruby Banares, April 12.

Birthday greetings and heartfelt prayers for Donnie Ramirez, April 7.

So, how was your week?

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