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Mely Concepcion Hechanova invariably
marks her birthday in the grand manner, and her latest was
celebrated at the Tower Club’s Taipan Restaurant which
overflowed with over 200 guests. Early arrivals were
entertained by Mely’s husband Paing Hechanova at the
lobby–Jose Cuisia, Fr. Pat Lim, Laly Lim, Fritz and Baby
Fricke among them. As more and more people arrived, the lobby
became too small, and everyone hied to the adjoining
restaurant where round tables were set all over the place.
Mely’s daughters Reena, Raissa and Riana graciously helped
guests to their seats.
Felicing Camara invited me to
join her at her table where her husband, cardiologist Augusto
"Toto" Camara, the Soriano sisters–Nena Jalandoni and Mameng
Vargas–Maggie Lizares Jimenez and her husband Dr. Tim Jimenez
were already seated. Just a bit later, Raul and Menchu
Concepcion, Oscar and Connie Lopez and Tere Litton occupied
the rest of the seats.
Conversation was on diverse
subjects but the confusing (and absurd) political situation
seemed to come and go and come–again and again! Dr. Camara and
I talked about music. Naturally. (Do you know that before
entering college, he had to seriously decide between becoming
a concert pianist and a doctor?)
All of us remarked on
the sumptuously Chinese dinner which was a virtual lauriat.
Read the menu, if you please, and you’ll agree: assorted cold
cuts/double boiled bamboo pith with black mushroom/sweet and
sour pork with pineapple/deep fried fish fillet with garlic
oyster sauce/yang chow fried rice/pork ribs with King Dao
sauce/sauteed prawns with asparagus in garlic sauce/efu
noodles with assorted seafood/Chinese sausage/braised bean
curd with black mushroom/steamed garoupa with fine soya sauce.
Dessert: Chilled almond bean curd with lychees and
watermelon/deep fried sesame balls/Christmas cookies.
Incidentally, speaking of dessert, many guests brought
birthday cakes but what stood out had one of Mely’s many
fashionable handbags (complete with lipstick beside it!) for
decor, a cake done by Mrs. Matute (see photo).
At the
celebrant’s table were P.L. and Madeleine Lim, Meldy
Cojuangco, Nene Quimson, Boling and Victor Reyes, Trining
Panicucci, Regina de Leon Jalandoni, Josie Lichauco and Mary
Prieto.
Among the many other guests were Danny
Vazquez, Anton Roxas, Conchita Toda, Judy Roxas, Paqui and
Susie Ortigas, Manny and Eloy Yan, Maridol and Narcing
Mabanta.
Guests around Mely started to sing "Happy
Birthday" as she blew the candles on the huge birthday cake,
with all the rest in the room joining in lustily. Before
saying "Goodbye" everyone headed toward the principal table to
wish Mely happiness and a long, long life–as the Chinese
noodles had indeed suggested.
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