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Café Juanita at Barangay Kapitolyo is really one of
the favorite places to have a truly delectable meal. It is Asian
fusion at its very best. You haven’t “gourmed” until you have
tried its pinakbet salad, their buntot ng tanigue and dishes
inspired by Thai, Chinese, and Japanese cuisine. Dr. Efren Vasquez
says, “If I had only known I would be so happy as a restaurateur,
I would not have become an ob-gyn.”
Lulu Tesoro Castañeda recently
held a musical soirees at Juanita’s to celebrate another natal day
with around 80 friends from the rosters of Friends for Cultural
Concerns in the Philippines (FCCP), Council for the Welfare of
Children and her fellow Forbes Park parishioners.
Imagine the likes of Myrna
Borromeo, Techie Cristobal Princess Monjierra Disini, Pitang
Tiongson, Nori Ongsiako, Leny Gutierrez, Justice Jun Ranada and wife
Evelyn, showing off their sing prowess. Even Mila Lim did some duets
with Boysie Villavicencio. The duet of the evening, however, was the
one with former Central Bank Jimmy Laya and Lulu. They actually did
a mini Broadway show that thrilled us all. A publishing tycoon
surprised all by joining them with “Usahay.”
Norma Francia and Lydia Reyes
tickled the ivory keys with gusto and delight. But it was Mary Ann
Baclao who accompanied our performers with their songs ranging from
the 1940s up to the 1990s, not to mention in varying keys. We
remember Mary Ann at Stars Giorgio when she would accompany the
likes of Jonathan Badon, Josephine Roces and other well know
sopranos and tenors.
Many, many familiar faces filled
the unique and truly unconventional Café Juanita like Louie and
Mellie Ablaza, Danny Dolor, Chloe Romulo-Periquet, sisters Minerva
Tanseco and Beng Fores, Letty and Alfred Hahn, Nenuca Blardony,
Bambi Harper, Tessie Luz, Susan Macuja, Tereret Liboro, Mabel Abaño,
Nene Co, Charrie Lim, Tessie Rodrigo, Rose Lazaro, Mimi Valerio,
Nena Casimiro and Criselda Lontok.
On our way out, we got a change
to congratulate internationally acclaimed concerned pianist, Dean
Raul Sunico for having been elected to a three-year term (from
2008-2011) to the FCCP Board.
Lulu was visibly touched by the
love and warmth shown by her guests that. We, of course
congratulated her for having hosted such a wonderful evening of
friendship and of music. Happy birthday Lulu.
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