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| Behind the Scenes with Ivy Visitacion |
For days, our good friend, Ludy Montilla Lacson, was so busy calling up relatives of the Montilla clan to a dinner recently, to welcome Judy Araneta Roxas' sister, Baby Araneta Fores, who wanted to touch base with family members she had not seen in a long while.
Judy wanted to come for dinner but a sudden illness prevented her from travelling, and so Baby came instead.
I remember Baby Fores, whom I first met during a dinner hosted by our dear friend, the late Boy Montilla, at his sprawling garden a few years ago. She struck me as a very charming lady with the warmth and gentility of a typical Negrense. She kept raving about the variety of delectable Ilonggo dishes that filled the buffet table which everyone enjoyed.
The venue this time was the Molasses Function Room of Sugarland Hotel and by seven o'clock, the place was full of Montilla family members from all over. The room was buzzing with excitement as relatives loudly greeted members of their clan - some of whom they haven't seen in ages. You could feel the strong familial bond that held this family together.
Dinner was a mouthwatering array of specially selected dishes designed to delight the most fastidious taste. By the time everyone had his fill, Ludy called on Baby to say something to the clan. Baby spoke in perfect Ilonggo as she greeted members of their family and reminded them to please help their family member, Mar Roxas, in his campaign. It was a brief speech and the audience applauded heartily.
The guests lingered long after dinner, with politics as the main topic all evening. It was interesting seeing how the Montilla family members bonded together. After all, they have the same blood coursing through their veins.*
