Cebu-based Honorary Consul of France Michel Lhuillier and his wife Amparito recently hosted a formal reception and dinner to celebrate the National Day of France. Special guest was French Ambassador Gilles Garachon with guest of honor, Cebu Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia.
Cocktails were served at the foyer, after which the elegantly dressed invitees were led into the Grand Ballroom of the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.
The entire room carried the French tri-colors of blue, white and red. The high ceiling was draped with vertical bands reminiscent of the national flag. The table centerpieces, which were filled with beautiful clusters of blooms, also carried the same color scheme.
Ambassador Garachon in his brief speech highlighted not just the celebration but also reminisced about the historic events that gave French citizens the opportunity to unite around the motto of the French Republic proclaiming “Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.”
For her part, Governor Gwen Garcia delivered a most enjoyable and utterly witty speech, which was well applauded and left everyone almost speechless.
It was a night of surprises as talents were quickly revealed, starting off with Trina Echivarre and Yemma Judilla, who gave moving renditions of both the Philippine and French national anthems. This was followed by a medley of popular songs by the scholars of Amparito
Lhuillier. Multi-talented international singer, Cebuana Anna Fegi, likewise serenaded everyone with a selection of classical Broadway songs. The performance was met with thunderous applause.