Okto-beer-fest at Casino Español Cebu

Oktoberfest at the al aire libre La Terraza of the Casino Español de Cebu recently brought wonderful memories of celebrations decades ago when chilled San Miguel Beer was the only beverage served, in addition to juices and good old tap water. Absolutely no spirits, perhaps a few glasses of red wine. This year tradition was both upheld and broken.

Savoring their mugs of beer with platters of assorted cheeses and picas, were club president Bobby Aboitiz and his supportive wife Marian, vice president Cheling Sala and his better half Susan, house chairman Bunny Pages, and sports director Jimmy Escaño.

Enjoying their pitchers of cold beer were fun couples Tonyboy and Susan Rodriguez, Kiting and Daisy Moro, Martin and Marisol Montenegro, Tony and Grace Lozada, Alberto and Tere Rotaeche, Manoling and Ana Garcia, Shewak and Nima Mangharam, and Bingen and Annette Mendezona.

Also present were regular club members realtors Joe Utzurrum and Ato Alvarez, civic leader Efren Valiente, international pianist Ed Dakay, avid golfer Joe Suaco, travel specialist Aida Uy with son Troy, new members Jose Ramiro and Susana Carpio, Dr. Rolando Enricuso, and developer Renato Avila.

The sumptuous buffet, nothing chi chi, nothing fancy, only real food as some Cebuano gourmands claimed – from the creamy seafood soup to the grilled smoked sausages, turkey with cranberry sauce, an assortment of salads, baked potatoes topped with sour cream and the sinfully calorific sans rival and churros with chocolate topping, as promised by general manager Edgardo Tongco and special events manager Rudy Rubi – was excellent.

Innovative chef Roel Gomez and food consultant Gema Pido, who makes it a point to be present at every official club function, outdid themselves on the festive preparation that surpassed everyone’s expectations.

Prost, cheers, salud and mabuhay!