A New Year welcome in black and white

For decades — almost since it was founded in 1920 — Casino Español de Cebu, the premier club of the island where friends meet friends and where families get together with others, has always celebrated New Year’s Eve with the traditional Baile de Disfrases.

However, this time around, the Board of Directors spearheaded by Club president Andre Borromeo opted to welcome the New Year with a Black and White Masquerade Ball.

As expected, members and their guests arrived in sophisticated attires. The distinctive masks added an element of mystery and excitement to the occasion.

Event specialist Debbie Huang created magic through a variety of decorations and design elements — all in black and white — which added to the theme of the affair.

The Cebu Events Chamber Orchestra serenaded the attendees with hard-to-find dining music and theater hits over a dinner to remember, which created a more enjoyable and memorable experience.

During the evening, to vie for prizes, the very best marched in a parade with every imaginable mask before a discerning panel of judges composed of Synthia Oquias, Jose Mari Veloso and Yuki Ricamora.

The winners in the individual category were Barbara Fernandes as most elegant, Dove Sainz as most original, Nichollo Xandro Romualdez as most comical and Tessie Javier as most colorful.

Chessy and Marty Manguerra
Diana Ledesma and Herbert Cang
Most Comical Couple- Mikel and Nicole Sala
Nichollo Zandro Romualdez- Most Comical
Tessie Javier – Most Colorful
Cisco and Marilen Jarque
Tess and David Chan

Jash and Ramon Ventura were proclaimed the most elegant couple, while Gabby and Tina Leyson — as the Phantom and the chorus lady Christine Daae of the famed Phantom of the Opera — were adjudged most original. Completing the list of winners were the Court Jesters Mikel and Nicole Sala, most comical, and past president Glenn Loop and wife Honey as Lovebirds, most colorful.

In the group division, the young energetic dependents of club members such as Sophia and Ariana Alo, Rya and Zia Llaban, Luis Moro and Jacko Ordoñez as Heart Thieves were most colorful, while Monique Jarque as Annie Lennox together with  Paco Jarque, Mike Sasnovski, Bryan Head, Manol Larrañaga and Eduard Loop  as the Misfits were most original. Sony and Annabelle Alo, Louie and Lyn Moro, and Francis and Angel Llaban as Oishis were most elegant.

Most Original couple Gabby and Tina Leyson, as Erik and Christine Daae of the Phantom of the Opera
Most Elegant Couple – Ramon and Jash Ventura
Most Colorful Group The Heart Thieves Ariana and Sophia Alo, Luis Moro, Jacko Ordoñez, and Rya and Zia Llaban_A
Most Colorful Couple – Glenn and Honey Loop with Casino Español GM Anton Sloot and Board of director Dino Diez
Most Elegant Group. OISHI .Annabelle and Sonny Alo, Louie and Lyn Moro, Francis and Angel Llaban
Most Original Group Annie and the Misfits. Monique Jarque with Bryan Head, Eduard Loop, Paco Jarque, Mike Sasnovski, Manol Larrañaga_A
Dove Sainz- Most Original
Barbara Fernandez . Most Elegant

Cebu’s sought-after Sonata Band provided lively music that had everyone on their feet at the jam-packed dance floor.

Towards midnight with the noisemakers blaring, the countdown began and the New Year was embraced with open arms with hugs and kisses among family and friends. ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!