Tea’s the day for Maurice

Beautiful friends got together at the plush Forbes Park residence of Letty Syquia to wish their good friend Maurice Arcache a very happy birthday. Co-hosting were Nene Leonor, Mellie Ablaza, Marietta Santos, Millie Reyes and Fortune Ledesma. It was difficult to pin down Maurice because he was either going around the world before the SARS epidemic or going around the country. However, the ladies planned the party during his absence with only one request from him – that it be held at 4 p.m. When asked why, Maurice countered that it was the best time for ladies who normally go out to lunch, have a little rest and proceed to the merienda. It is also ideal for ladies who have cocktails or dinner appointments, they can just proceed from the merienda; it is also great for those who want to go to bed early.

"Perfect, isn’t it?" he says with a twinkle in his eyes.

So, merienda it was, with about 70 ladies in tow. The quiet elegance of Letty’s spacious living room was enhanced by the artistic creativity of Jun Jun Ablaza. Palm nuts in different stages of ripening were artistically arranged in glass blocks and adorned each table. The main table was a sight to behold with cactus flowers, nuts, palms and twigs blending beautifully with the scented candles.

The food prepared by The Plaza was sumptuous and delicious, more so because Millie Reyes was one of the hostesses. The lumpia in pouches disappeared fast, so did the ham which The Plaza is well known for. Many had seconds to savor the palabok, the Spanish tortillas, the bibingka and puto bungbong.

Seen among the guests were Meldy Cojuangco, Mila How, Vilma Valera, Susan Laudico, Tessie Amparo, Fe Rodriguez, Lucille Villanueva, Pitang Tiongson, Nellie Bengzon, Naty Pappas, Mabel Abaño, Nena Casimiro, Agnes Huibonhoa, May Neri, Congresswoman Cynthia Villar, Belen Martel, Bobby Novenario, Fanny Blanco, Chit Gohu, Celine Bautista, Edith Rabat, Justa Tantoco, Chito Madrigal, Karen Macasaet, Marilen Pineda, Evie Costa, Nona Ricafort, Lilibeth Campos, Yoly Ayson, Mely Hechanova, Menchu Concepcion, Betsy Tenchaves, Baby Bayani Ortiz, Monette Guevara, Tereret Liboro, Gilda Salonga, Pacita de Guzman, Olga Martel, Nini Layug, Carrie Bautista, Baby de Jesus, Alice Briones, Lulu Catañeda, Celia Cuasay, Marites Pineda, Mita Rufino, Marissa Fenton and Tessie Luz. From the media came Donnie Ramirez, Resty Vergara and Gilbert Perez.

Surprisingly, many ladies came on time.