CASINO Español de Cebu held its annual celebration of Dia de la Hispanidad on October 8, the Saturday most conveniently close to October 12, the actual date for the observance.
Spanish Ambassador Luis Calvo came to Cebu for the occasion with his wife Maria Jose and their son Lain. They stayed at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.
The festivity started with a holy mass officiated by Msgr. Achilles Dakay, attended by Ambassador Calvo and his family. They were escorted by Spain’s honorary consul in Cebu Anton Perdices and his wife Maripaz.
Monitoring every aspect of the event was May Ocaba, general manager of Casino Español de Cebu. After the mass, there were cocktails and pica-pica at Salon Granada, where the line was for the delicious Jamon Serrano.
At 7:30 p.m. the action moved to the ballroom, Salon de España, for the evening’s program. Officers of the Casino Español stood at the reception line to welcome the guests:
President Luis Moro III with his wife Lynn, secretary Edgar Chiongbian with his wife Cely, treasurer Renato Kintanar with his wife Joy;
House chairman Paco Jarque with his wife Monique, cultural affairs director Gabriel Leyson with Tina Jordana, and sports director Anton Perdices with his wife Maripaz.
There were toasts and speeches, plus dances by a troupe of performers evoking Hispanic influence, in Las Vegas style.
A sumptuous buffet dinner was served atMarco Polo Plaza Hotel, and at a given point the Renaissance band began its dance music repertoire. The fun lasted for the rest of the night.