New Year’s Eve at Casino Español de Cebu
Casino Español de Cebu welcomed 2016 with a spectacular party that had members and guests donning colorful costumes for the traditional Baile de Disfraces.
Welcomed by the club’s board of directors led by club president Ed Gonzalez, vice president Louie Moro, secretary Edgar Chiongbian, treasurer Rene Kintanar, house chairman Paco Jarque, and directors Anton Perdices and Gabriel Leyson, the revelers enjoyed sumptuous pica-picas at the foyer before proceeding to Salon de España.
Adding to the ambiance was the ballroom decorated with a kaleidoscope of colors. The highlight of the evening was the parade of costumes. Among the winners in the ladies’ individual category were Lisette Garcia as Daisy Buchanan, the beautiful socialite in the movie The Great Gatsby, and Kathie Javellana as Avatar. Percival Llaban as King Abdul and Romy Hipolito as Iron Man bagged the top prizes in the male individual category.
Ed Gonzalez and wife Therese, who came as a fisherman and the little mermaid, were the winners in the couple’s category. They were followed by Pearle and Fritz Strolz as aSwiss Alpine farmer and his city muse.
Winners in the small group category were the Pirates of the Caribbean portrayed by Louie Moro as Captain Jack Sparrow, Lynn Moro as Angelica, Anton Perdices as Bootstrap Bill Turner, his wife Maripaz as Elizabeth Swann, Sonny Alo as Orlando Bloom and his wife Annabel as Anamaria.
The other winners were the colorful jesters including Tony and Grace Lozada, Bingen and Annette Mendezona, Vic and Toots Torres and this writer with hubby Glenn.
Champions hands-down in the large group category were vibrant young executives who masterfully portrayed characters in the American epic film Star Wars. They included Andre Borromeo as a Stormtrooper, his wife Maitina as Rey, Paco Jarque as Obi-Wan Kenobi, his wife Monique as Queen Amidala, Mike Sasnouvski as Han Solo, Alfonso Martinez as Darth Vader, his wife Meryl as Princess Leia, Brian Head as Luke Skywalker and Marco Sarmiento as Darth Maul.
The runner-up in the large group category was El Camino de Santiago, the popular Christian pilgrimage in Spain. The participants included Bob Gothong, Joe Soberano, Jun and Mariano Selma, Jaime Sy, Gigi Gullas, Jun Luna, Hector Almario, Kiting Moro, Aramando Serafin, Victor Yuvallos, Alberto Miranda and Mariano Ong.
As the evening progressed and 2016 approached, the crowd grew noisier and before we knew it, the countdown began. Following a collective Feliz Año Nuevo and Happy New Year at the stroke of midnight, kisses and hugs even among strangers were exchanged. Another year over and a new one just beginning. Members continued sipping bubbly, partying and dancing to the music of the Circle of 6 Band.
