'Sixty Carat Lady'

Like a diamond, the Lady of the Philippine Ambassador to Italy has many facets. She is first and foremost kind to a fault, hospitable, caring, sharing, philanthropic (in lieu of gifts a donation to the PJ Lhuillier Foundation was requested), and beautiful and most specially a charming hostess.

Bais City's pride of the glitterati world, Edna Diago Lhuillier, was feted by her "better-half and partner for life" Ambassador Philippe Lhuillier and her children, Jean Henri, Christine, Jacqueline, Angelique, Andre, Camille and Madeline, with a grand ball to celebrate her natal day. The ballroom of the Mandarin Hotel of Makati was decorated with the utmost good taste. Tables for ten were centered by tall floral centerpieces of calla lilies, multi-colored roses, daisies and mums and the buffet table with international gourmet dishes extended from one end of the hall to the other. Enchanting hostess Edna, clad in a copper colored Italian silk ruffled gown, was a vision of loveliness, making sure the A-list and Manila's and NegOr's perfumed set was wined and dined to the hilt.

My eagle eyes spotted (gents semi-formally dressed and the ladies in exquisite gowns) Senators Ed and Gloria Angara, Johnny and still beautiful Cristina Ponce Enrile, Congressmen Teddy and Louie Locsin, Butz Aquino, Secretary of Finance Gary and Nini Teves, Secretary Peter Favila, Mike and Menchu Romero, big business Endika Aboitiz, Nando and Maricris Vazquez-Prada, Henry and Jojo Zabarte, Linggoy and Connie Araneta, media moguls Babes Romualdez, Max and his Preciosa Soliven, the ultimate Baby Arenas escorted by Jeffrey Campos and her ensemble of priests, high fashion Criselda Lontoc, Bebot Laurel, Lorna Jison, Baby Yulo, Felicito and Daisy Payumo, Louie and Bunny Campos, Carlos and Mariquita Yeung, Pom and Linette Raymond, Longlong and Nancy Diago, Bingboy and Bingle Diago, John and Babylou Afzelius, Lucille Villanueva, Norma Escaño, sisters Wendy Strong and Raquel Mathay and her famille, Steven and Marissa Chan, and hundreds of other equally very important personas.

The Lhuillier clan came in full force headed by Angie Mathieu, Michel and Amparito Lhuillier with sons Charles and Michael with their wives, the two Joannas, and of course the ever stunning Margie Lhuillier.

Brilliant violinist Jay Cayuca played dinner music and for the "dance till you drop" tunes, the Bloomfield (the Filipino renaissance of the Beatles) strummed on the guitars and banged on the drums. The marvelously fun party closed its doors at the crack of dawn.

Edna dearie, may you have sixty more!.............................NOUS!*