Cebu loves Monique Lhuillier

There was only one reason. It was that simple. With the most exquisite lace and the softest of chiffons, the finest jerseys and duchess satins, delicate ribbons and eye- catching beadwork, plus subdued ruffles and muted sashes, Cebu-born and bred and Los Angeles- based and a recent recipient of the Presidential Award of Merit Medal, Monique Lhuillier, was on center stage at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel to present her first ever in the land of her birth: an 80-piece collection of casual and evening wear women yearn for and bridal gowns brides dream of.

Yes, the Cebuanos just had to be there. And they came in droves. It even led someone to exclaim, "Is there anybody left in the island?"

It was organized by a you-somehow-could-not-find-a-more-tony-group of exceptional ladies led by Imelda Ongsiako Cojuangco, Doris Magsaysay Ho, Gina Lopez, Lizzie Zobel de Ayala, and Mons Romulo Tantoco, and sponsored by the Ayala Group of Companies, Nokia, Rustan’s, Stores Specialists, and M. Lhuillier with the Asia Society and the Bantay Bata 163 as beneficiaries.

Among those present were Cebu’s government leaders: Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama, fashion designers Philip Rodriguez and Arcy Gayatin, young bride blessed to have worn a Monique wedding gown Amanda Luym Aboitiz, family friends who saw Monique grow up as a child like Rosebud Sala, Teresin Mendezona, Lulu Aboitiz, Carmen Campbell, philanthropist Mariquita Yeung, lovers of everything Cebu Bambi Harper, Ben Farrales, Rose Libongco, and even Manila-based Lydia Durano, Marvi Sala, and Tourism Undersecretary Edu Jarque and her ever supportive members of the family Michel and Amparito Lhuillier, Philip and Edna Lhuillier, Michael and Joanna Lhuillier, Marguerite Lhuillier, Angie Mathieu, Charles and Joanna Lhuillier, and Martin and Angie Miranda.

The evening began with glasses of champagne in a wonderful faux French garden setting with live statues that certainly brought warm memories. One caught a glimpse of what the evening promised through the ultra elegant gown by Monique Lhuillier proudly worn by mom Amparito Llamas Lhuillier. And when the guest of honor President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo arrived, in a Monique Lhuillier masterpiece herself, the show began.

One by one the island’s top models walked down the ramp just like they do during the Paris Fashion Week, the London Fashion Week and the Milan Fashion Week. And one by one, the designs simply mesmerized the discerning audience both from Manila and Cebu who was truly wowed over again and again and yet again. Applause, applause, applause!

Lea Salonga, another talent who has captured the hearts of Broadway and West End theater goers and continues to do so after every performance here and abroad, was the dinner show’s sole guest entertainer.

It was an endearing, grand, feel-proud-to-be-a-Filipino evening, one full of talent and creativity, achievement and accomplishment, hugs and kisses, flowers and more flowers, and lots of love and celebration!