PART 23 AMPARITO LLAMAS LHUILLIER QUEEN CITY'S REIGNING QUEEN OF CEBU'S ALTA SOCIEDAD

PART 23 SOMETHING INTERESTING AND FUN ABOUT THE LLAMAS FAMILY OF THE PHILIPPINES
BY: DEO ANTONIO D. LLAMAS


AMPARITO LLAMAS LHUILLIER QUEEN CITY'S REIGNING QUEEN OF CEBU'S ALTA SOCIEDAD

In the circle of the Rich and Famous, the top of the cream or Circulo Galante, the whose who, there stands a familiar face of grace and elegance, the lovely Amparito Llamas Lhuillier. Whose Presence is a sight to see. Smart business operator of M Lhuillier Jewelry and Pawnshops chain and chains of restaurants with sense for social responsibility with a generous spirit for civic and charitable endevours. She is the cousin of Antonio Llamas Garcia the famous portait artist of the elite(chapter 17).Their Patriarch was  Gabriel Llamas who was the head of the Immigration during Spanish time and his father was Jaime Llamas a captain of the De la Rama shipping.  Her sister  Anna- Marie Llamas Dizon is the owner of A & J Designs manufacturing  world class furniture and decors. Her niece Bettina Llamas-Araneta Aboitiz- was GMA's Presidential Social Secretary. Bettina Araneta Aboitiz is the wife of tycoon Sabin Aboitiz. She is the daughter of Maritina Llamas Araneta her sister a Realtor base in the U.S. Her Daughter Monique Llamas shared her passion for fashion she is now based in Hollywood as a premier fashion designer for the stars, the  rich and the  famous. Madam Amparito has her Amparito clothe lines as well. But many does not know this she has passion for teaching. She loves teaching. She was a teacher before he met the love of his life Ambassador Michel J. Lhuillier. Her beauty comes from her big heart and generosity. She has more than 700 scholars now working here and abroad many of them  are now employed in her company. And so I share this article by Maurice Arcache the charming toastmaster and host on his friend Amparito Llamas Lhuillier. And I also posted about the Amparito Llamas Lhullier Educational Foundation Inc.

The View From The Lhuillier Mansion
By Maurice Arcache

Philippine Daily Inquirer First
Posted 00:29:00 02/27/2009

Filed Under: Lifestyle & Leisure
I’VE been to beautiful homes and apartments in the US, Europe and Asia, dahlings. But my dream house is the magnificent new home of beauty queen Amparito Llamas Lhuillier, a woman of substance, style and class, and her husband, business magnate and French Consul of Cebu Michel Lhuillier. Their house has a breathtaking view of Cebu’s twinkling lights, Mactan Island and a mountain.

I was in Cebu for the successful launch of the Macau festival at Marco Polo Plaza.
Being the renowned hostess that she is, Amparito wasted no time to invite 12 of my friends to a divine sitdown dinner, in my honor.“It’s a belated, advanced birthday dinner for you, Maurice,” she told me over the phone in Manila before I jetted off to Cebu. Advanced because I’m being honored at afternoon snacks on the third of March and belated because my birthday was Dec. 22.
Driving up the mountain through phase 4 of Maria Luisa subdivision, one sees this humongous house all lit up like a flying saucer on top of Busay Mountain.

Our hostess welcomed us and, before Lynn Romero, Marco Polo director of sales and marketing super-smart asset, could join the other invitees for Dom Perignon champagne cocktails and canapés, I asked our hostess if she could give me and Lynn a tour of this gorgeous home, which took five years to finish. It was a privilege to be given a tour of the Lhuilliers’ inner sanctum. It took us 30 minutes to tour the house.

There is a sprawling bar in the patio facing the emerald-blue swimming pool, a Jacuzzi close to it and manicured lawn with a view of the city below. Aside from the two or three living rooms, the sprawl has a dining area and covered patio, a kitchen that can make any hotel turn green with envy, a storage room for her silver, Amparito’s modern office and guest’s room, which is designed like a grand suite of a five-star hotel and displays paintings and antiques.

On the left wing is where the Lhuilliers have their grand master’s bedroom with an incredible ante room. On the second floor, there are four grand suites for her children, Monique Lhuillier and her husband Tom Bugbee, who were visiting from Los Angeles; Yvette and her husband Franck Warnod from Paris. There is an elevator to bring the luggage up and “for our future old age when we will need it,” our hostess told us laughingly.

After cocktails we sat down for the excellently prepared dinner by executive chef Robert Lilja of the couple’s popular signature , The Gustavian. Other restos they own are Ola España and Pino.Our host made sure we sipped the best of his collection of red and white wines from his own cellar.Dinner was a healthy Artichoke and Salmon Salad, followed by the superb Portobello mushroom soup, with walnut and potato bread on the side, the refreshing Melon Sorbet and champagne, and the to-die-for main course, Angus Steak Florentine, topped with Prawn Green Peppercorn sauce.

Since I don’t eat meat, the chef whipped up a thick sushi with delicate sauce and spinach. For finale, it was Mango Lemoncello with Pistachio Triffle. Our hostess said the china and crystal ware from Royal Doulton were designed by Monique Lhuillier, no less.This colossal mansion was designed by architect Teng Jacinto, under Amparito’s guidance. The interiors were done by architect Conrad Onglao. Stylish working socialite, the simpatica Rosebud Sala, also helped out.

The guests included popular furniture designers and twin brothers Alex and Andre Klepp with good-looking wife Georgia K; Louie Thevenin, director of Les Amis de la France, French Cultural Institute and Language Center which Michel Lhuillier funds completely, and his wife, tall, sultry beauty Honeylet Samia T., formerly of Shangri-La Makati, and the vivacious, adorable Teresin Mendezona, Cebu’s foremost party stylist. After a fantastic evening with the Lhuilliers and friends, we said our “thank you’s.”It’s no wonder the Queen City has Amparito Llamas Lhuillier as the reigning Queen of Cebu’s alta sociedad, dahlings.



AMPARITO LLAMAS LHUILLIER EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION, INC.

AMPARITO LLAMAS LHUILLIER EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION, INC., is a non-profit, non-stock corporation organized under Philippine laws. It was incorporated in May 31, 1995 and formally started realizing its corporate objective through the personal contributions of its founding members. This corporation was founded through the inspiration of it's President Mrs. Amparito L. Lhuillier.

The Foundations's Objectives:

• To develop programs that would upgrade the quality of education and human resource skills;

• To promote/support projects that would update/enrich teacher competence and student development in all level of education;

• To lend assistance to worthy scholarship programs to teachers and students;

• To establish viable linkage with the academe and other education-related organizations that serve the educational needs of the gifted and indigent teachers and students;

In pursuit of realizing the above noble objectives of the foundation, the corporation has for several years adopted and implemented the following continuing programs.

• Provide full and partial college scholarships grants to deserving college students who are known to be gifted but are indigent;

• Provide a subsidy grant of P10,000.00 to deserving high school students, most specially to those students whose parents are loyal employees of M. Lhuillier Group of Companies;

Hoping to ensure the proper growth and readiness of the scholars of the foundation, the president Amparito Lhuillier (in cooperation with the various M. Lhuillier Corporations) was able to secure the approval of the different Boards of the M. Lhuillier Group to allow, starting this coming summer of 2006, the internship or on the job training exposure of the foundation's scholars.

The aim of the project is to prepare the scholars for the future by having not only a college degree but also a working experience that would give them an edge over and above other graduates of their batch.

If the performance of the scholar during the internship or on the job training proves to be exceptional, the same will also be given the option to get immediate employment to any of the corporations of the M. Lhuillier Group.

In the ten years operation of the foundation, the Amparito Llamas Lhuillier Educational Foundation, Inc. has produced numerous successful grantees who are now productive, effective and honest members of the society.

A number of its scholars are even now employed gainfully with some of the corporations of M. Lhuillier.

All of the foundations noble undertaking would not have been made possible if not for the untiring effort of its president, whose first love is teaching, and one who is born with a heart for those who have less in life.

M. LHUILLIER SPORTS DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION (MLSDF)


M.LHUILLIER JEWELERS

In 1992, Amparito Lhuillier opened the first M. Lhuillier Jewellers showroom at Crest Condominium in Maria Luisa Park, Banilad, Cebu. The following year, SM City mall opened in Cebu. The showroom was transferred to the SM mall in order to reach out to people from all walks of life. This year, this pioneer and top selling showroom will celebrate 16 years in the industry.

M. Lhuillier Jewellers has become a popular and trusted jewellery brand. It offers a wide range of jewellery that caters to all types of customers. The “Amparito Jewellery Collection” was named after its founder. It consists of classic timeless and fine jewellery, exquisitely handcrafted to fit the lifestyle of all our customers.

At present, the M.Lhuillier Jewellers has expanded nationwide. There are fourteen (14) showrooms in Luzon located at Festival, Alabang; Market!Market!; Trinoma; Eastwood Mall; NE Pacific Mall; Robinson's Starmills Pampanga; SM City Sucat; SM City Bicutan; SM Mall of Asia; SM City Pampanga; SM City Baguio; SM City Dasmariñas; SM City Batangas and SM City Naga. There are also fourteen (14) showrooms in Visayas and Mindanao located at SM City.

Inquirer Lifestyle
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SPANISH Ambassador Luis Arias and Amparito Llamas Lhuillier,
President of Amigos de España en
Cebu Cebu Tapas Night caps month-long Spanish festival By Jaime Picornell Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 00:46:00 08/31/2008

MANILA, Philippines - Casino Español de Cebu recently celebrated Spanish month and culminated it with a Tapas Night on “Dia de Santiago,” at the club’s grand ballroom. Spain’s Ambassador Luis Arias graced the occasion, accompanied by his lovely wife Soledad de Arias.
They were welcomed by Casino Español president Manuel Sainz Jr. and his wife Melba, the general manager Ed Tongco, and services manager Rudy Ruby. Officers present included treasurer Rene Kintanar and his wife Jocelyn, house chairman José Luis Alba and his wife Rosemary, and director for cultural affairs Jimmy Escaño with his wife Ellen.
Amparito Llamas Lhuillier, president of Amigos de España en Cebu, was a stand-out in flaming red and a king’s ransom in diamonds. Beside her stood Michel Lhuillier, collecting congratulations. A lot of what was served was made with ingredients from his deli-restaurant Hola España.
There were more than 20 specialties in array, such as Jamon Iberico cut in paper-thin slices, assorted cheeses from La Mancha, chunks of balacao in rich tomato sauce, Tortilla de Patatas—regarded as one of Spain’s national dishes, chorizos cooked in wine and many more.
Splendid
Glenn Loop, a former president of the club, was emcee during a brief program. President Manoling Sainz explained that “Dia de Santiago” has been celebrated by the club since its founding in 1920. It honors Spain’s patron saint, and was also called “Dia Español.” Many still remember the splendor of those celebrations.
Ambassador Arias gave a most emotive speech. He recalled how last year he had come to Cebu for the same occasion. And he was most grateful for having been invited once more. “I will come again next year, ” he promised.
There was much applause to that from the assemblage. Others present were Cheling (he was president last year) and Susan Sala, Spanish language teacher Mariton Villaflor, Miguel Monreal and his wife Cristina who sometimes also teaches Spanish at Casino Español, and Joey Villareal who manages Hola España.
More glimpses of Honey Loop, Marlinda Tan, Marit Remonde, Jean Lopez Bondoc, José Mari Moras, Conchita and Eric van Gildre, and José Mari Miranda, whose son Ipar will open a Spanish restaurant with his name. It will be in the lawn fronting the family’s ancestral home on Ramos Street.
Ambassador and Ms Arias were billeted at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel. They were all praises for the excellent accommodations and service. “Next time we will stay for more than just one night,” they said.
The day after the event they visited Casa Gorordo, a housebuilt in the 19th century, and home to Cebu’s first native-born bishop, Msgr. Juan Gorordo. The house was passed on to his niece, Telesfora Jaen. Her heirs sold the property to the family of the late Ramon Aboitiz. It has been a museum since 1983.
Before departing for Manila, Ambassador and Ms Arias returned to Casino Español for lunch with the officers. Vice president Gabriel Leyson was present this time along with Tina Jordana and John Owen Pages, the sports director.
Ambassador and Ms Arias were presented with a memento of their visit: a series of prints replicating the components of a mural that depicts scenes of Barcelona. Artist Ireneo San Agustin Robles was specially commissioned by Casino Español de Cebu to do the prints, which are a limited, numbered edition.
Greater interest
There has been an increase of interest in Spanish cuisine in Cebu lately. Hola España is full all the time, and the Saturday-night Spanish buffet at Casino Español is also a blockbuster.
Not so long ago, Cebu had the visit of Enrique Ruiz de Lera, based in Singapore as director of the Spain Tourist Board for Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and India. He presided two events, both dubbed “Spain in your Palate.”
One was held at Casino Español for the Spanish community. The other was for travel agents and the press at Marriott Hotel where Gema Luisa Pido prepared the menu.
Gema has been asked to make a repeat, plus more, for the ongoing Spanish food festival at Marco Polo Plaza. It is titled “Sabores de España” and will be on up to Sept. 14. “Ole, ole,” says general manager Hans Hauri and events manager Carlo Borromeo. Featured nightly are two Filipino artists highly regarded in Spain.
Adolfo Timuat is a guitar virtuoso much admired in Madrid as an excellent concertist, composer, professor and researcher.
Jessie Santos is a male flamenco dancer who first learned the art in Manila from Guillermo Gomez. He has gone far, even to Granada to study with Carmen de las Cuevas at her Escuela Flamenca.


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