Fiestas!

Fiesta Mexico reached a fevered climax at Rustan’s where, against a backdrop of colorful Mexican costumes and hats hanging from the ceiling, and surrounded by choice Mexican merchandise, the Mariachi Juvenile blared its most spirited–and its loudest music! The gracious hosts, Ambassador Enrique and Mariana Hubbard–she in a fetching red gown–were literally engulfed by what seemed like the entire diplomatic corps and the deputies: Counselor Carlos Torres, Consul Juan Cerda Benitez and Adriana S. de Cerda, Roi Dvir, Jeroen Vergeylen, Jose Maria Fons and Juan Goldnick among others.

Dancers, including our own Guillermo Gomez, went through the bamba, etc., and songstress Myrza Maldonado fascinated listeners. The Mariachi Band was playing with such infectious zest that Consul Fortune Ledesma danced onstage, as did Vangie Pascual and Manny Baldemor while Ethel S. Timbol, Consuls Helen Ong and Evie Costa swayed to the rhythms, with Consul Vince and Tinna Carlos, Nena Casimiro, Peping and Chloe Periquet, dfa’s Jose and Mrs. Zaide, Virgilio Reyes, Jr., boi’s Cesar Mendigo, Glenn Gale and Frank Evaristo applauding. Never had the atmosphere been more festive. Waiter Edwin, from the Hyatt–bless him!–kept serving me the least spicy morsels from the "groaning" buffet tables.

The current Spanish fiesta is presenting the Nuevo Ballet Español, named the Best Flamenco Dance Company in 2000 for its blending of the traditional and the innovative; classic guitarist Jorge Orozco and zarzuela singer Ana Luisa Espinosa, both of whom are on their second visit. (They’re terrific!)

Poetry, theater and the visual arts are likewise being offered, and as always, Spanish cuisine and wines are enticing the connoisseurs at the Hyatt and Puerta Real. The street party, Verbena–with exciting fireworks and all–will cap the fiesta on Oct. 18. Spanish Ambassador Ignacio Sagaz says, "It will be our best fiesta yet." Instituto Cervantes director Javier Galvan assures us: "We are obliterating stereotypes while enhancing cultural relationship between the Philippines and Spanish-speaking countries."

Rachy Cuna, our only floral architect, held his own distinctive fiesta to welcome delegates of the World Floral Council at Fr. Blanco’s Garden in Intramuros. Dinner guests from Asia, Russia, NZ, Canada and the US were awed by Rachy’s incomparable floral arrangement which used wood shavings instead of fresh blooms, his decor of Muslim-inspired umbrellas (see photo), and a display of caretelas or horse drawn carriages of yore.

Rachy’s guests also witnessed spectacular folk dances, rondalla music and native games like the pabitin after enjoying superb Filipino delicacies. They even dared to dance the tinikling.