Artists & art lovers

A flurry of cocktail receptions and buffet dinners called to mind the song "June Is Bursting Out All Over". That was because the third "French Spring" "burst out" in June, bringing to Manila celebrated musicians, dancers and painters. The ensuing socials seemed unending.

The unprecedented cultural festival gave French Ambassador Gilles Chouraqui the distinction of being the busiest, most hospitable party-giver of the season. His guests understandably consisted of local artists, art lovers, journalists and a sprinkling of diplomats and their ladies, e.g., US Charge d’Affaires Michael Malinowsky, Lena Hakansson and Ulricke da Silva, Ambassador Theo Arnold and European Union head Yves Gazzo.

Artists included Leonor Orosa Goquingco, Arturo Luz, Virgie Moreno, Alan and Ivi Cosio, Stella Rojas; among the art lovers were Tony and Mita Rufino, Philippe Gautier, Aurelio Montinola III (Alliance Francaise president), Lourdes Montinola; journalists included Teddy Benigno, Beth Romulo, Bambi Harper and Johnny Litton.

At a surprise soiree, the honorees became the performers on the instant. The musicale ended on a delightfully informal note: while guests were dining in the terrace, PRO Martin Macalintal played terrific jazz in the living room, with Tony Rufino trying out a few dance steps to the lusty applause of Renaud Fessaguet, director of Alliance Francaise.

Mr. Chouraqui, the animateur of "French Spring" had ranking officials doing the honors as co-hosts: Counselors Franck Hebert (main implementor of "French Spring"), Loic Daniel and Kostia Sakow.

In the same season, Canadian Ambassador Robert and Marilyn Collette entertained dancers of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet at lively, well-attended cocktails in the embassy residence. Thereafter, the eminent Spanish painter Gonzalo Martin-Calero displayed his awesome collection at the Metropolitan Museum under the sponsorship of the Spanish Embassy, the Agencia Española de Cooperacion International and the Met headed by Cora Alvina.

After brief remarks by the highly cultured Ambassador Tomas Rodriguez-Pantoja and painter Martin-Calero with the lovely Nena Marti as interpreter, a sumptuous Spanish buffet was served.