Thursday, July 19, 2007 Magsaysay: Around the World By Jo Magsaysay Whatever
NO, No! Please don’t! Coy. Timid. Emphatic. They refused to be identified as they sashayed up and down the ramp. But they were simply gorgeous! In their array, they should have been proud to show off the national costumes of the countries they represented. Which they actually were, pirouetting and curtseying graciously on the runway, although some were recognizable under their ornate wigs and flamboyant headdresses, others I frankly had no clue at all. Jaime Pircornell, honorary consul of Spain and dear friend came to my rescue; he has had to coax and cajole the ladies, handpicked by the Zontians, appealing to their social conscience and perhaps to their vanities to participate in the International Parade.
Jimmy, bless him, sent me a list of the dramatic personae.
*****
This was the International Night of the Consular Corps of the Philippines at the Casino Español. The crisp and precise accents of honorary British Consul Moya Jackson as emcee, her sass and wit setting the mood for the delights ahead. Suave and articulate Samuel Chioson, Cebu Chapter President, welcomed one and all to the event, the first of its kind hosted by the Consular Corps. Frank Benedicto, the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, the diplomat’s diplomat, the gentleman’s gentleman, thanked all those present and all those who in one way or another contributed to the charity cause of the Cebu Society for Crippled Children and the Women and Children Friendly Center of the Zonta Club of Cebu II.
*****
... The stunning entrance of Myrna Ngo Chua, her shapely form encased in skin-fitting latex, a fantastic horned helmet on her head, sinuous arms and hips weaving the magic spell of a South African high priestess.
…Like darling kewpie dolls in their fringed dresses and elaborate Indian headdress, Elena Young and her granddaughters, Ana Carmela Tiu and Ana Katrine Tiu represented the United States of America.
…Shaking the ruffles and flounces of her flamenco skirt, her Castillian head arrogantly lifted high in the air, Teresin Mendezona represented Spain while Jaime Picornell in black breeches and white woolen hose, ever the proud Spaniard, clicking castanets ole as la Señora Cecilia smilingly clasped an elegant manton closer around her.
...Flirting a lace fan, a voluminous hoop skirt and a towering wig, Minnie Yuvienco was France’s seductive Marie Antoinette. ...Hoot Mon! If it isn’t that bonnie laddie Tim Wright in his tartan plaid kilt Begorrah and who knows who is under the mauve and turquoise veil beside him. Mona? Moya?
...Without any doubt that was Armi Lopez Garcia in an authentic Russian costume looking so like Mother Russia herself, sturdy, dependable and compassionate. Ambassador Vitaly Y. Vorobiev of the Russian Federation who had conferred upon her, the honorary position of Consul of the Russian Federation on Cebu, warmly conferred upon Armi a kiss on both cheeks and a big Russian bear of a hug. Also in Russian peasant costumes which I understand were also brought to Cebu by Ambassador Vorobiev were Petite Garcia and Elena Young.
...In ancient Aztec constumes were Janet Ugarte, Odette Jereza and granddaughter April Jereza representing Mexico.
...An elaborate headdress with an asp poised to strike and a slinky gold costume gave Nancy Velez that femme fatale look of the Queen of the Nile of Egypt, Cleopatra herself.
…Something that looked like a gold crown and something lusciously red was the Malaysian costume of Chinggay Utzurrum who got rousing cheers from colleagues at the media table which Michel and Amparito Lhuillier had previously reserved for us–as they were in Paris to visit with their daughter.
…So help me, I do not remember all the other national costumes but I remember that all the ladies showing them off were beautiful like Thea Graham representing Canada; Marietta Malinao, Ghana; Emily Chioson (her finely-chiseled features are memorable) for Portugal; Genevieve Benedicto for Romania; Joy Benedicto for Belgium; June Ugarte and Mariter Klepp for Austria; Nellie Chiu for Slovakia; Flor Miel for Peru; Elsa Basubas for Puerto Rico; Marilou Cañizares (so tall, so lovely) for Bahamas, Betty Young for Brazil; Grace Colmenares for Venezuela; Cloy Credo, Mamiko Yamamoto and Misaki Watase (so dainty and feminine in their kimonos) requested to pose with the Japanese Consul near our table; Myrna Ngo Chua from African Queen to Mongolian princess; Jane Llaban and Cynthia Dagus in flimsy saris representing India; Lydia Sia, China; Elsa Basubas and Cynthia Dagus for Vietnam; Haydee Benedicto for Turkey (I don’t think she bared her belly button as belly dancer or ‘tsk-tsk’ from her dear Mama and Papa); Liza Young (didn’t recognize her under the sheer veils) for Afghanistan.
*****
Getting their share of applause, resounding stand-up cheers were Beth Go, the exquisite wife and Augusto Go, the oh-so-proud husband, in their Korean costumes along with another Korean-attired Myriam King. The Grand Finale was the Filipiniana Suite which highlighted the charms of the Filipina in elegant ternos worn by Cita Chan, Elvira Luym, Marilou Cañizares escorted by her handsome sons Joe Franz and Ziggy, Mariter Klepp, Rachel Espiritu and Betty Young.
*****
Chalk it all up as unprecedented success. Congratulations to the ladies and the gentlemen of the Cebu Chapter of the Consular Corps of the Philippines for a great show, not only for the eyes and ears but for the heart as well.
