Hispanic communities all over the world celebrated their ancestry and the multicultural heritage on Oct. 12, which is widely known as Dia de la Hispanidad. Casino Español de Cebu, as it has done through the years, hosted a formal dinner-dance at the grand Salon de España.
Standing at the reception line were the club’s board of directors led by el presidente Buddy Veloso, vice president Nonoy Tirol and his wife Merian, secretary Gabby Leyson and his partner Tina Jordana, and treasurer David Chan and his wife Tess. Director for social and cultural affairs Paco Jarque, his wife Monique, director for sports Louie Moro and his wife Lynn joined them.
Adhering to the dress code, the gentlemen came in either barong Tagalog or dark suits, while the lovely damas were stunning in elegant evening gowns and cocktail dresses.
Just before dinner, the board of directors, together with former Spanish honorary consul Jaime Picornell, raised their glasses and invited all to present a brindar to President Benigno Aquino Jr., to the Reyes de España Don Juan Carlos y Doña Sophia and to the peoples of both nations.
Everyone feasted on sumptuous dishes laid out in various food stations that showcased the house specialties. For starters they had jamon Serrano, croquetas, a selection of Spanish cured meats such as paella Valenciana and marinara, US Angus prime chuck roll of beef, and lapu-lapu con mayonesa, among others.
The evening’s entertainment, provided by the rocking ’60s band from Manila and Cebu’s Phoenix band, had the guests dancing till the wee hours.
Special thanks to club general manager May Ocaba, food and beverage director Marina Codina and assistant events manager Ritchelle Bojos for successfully establishing a benchmark.