Power couple Louie and Mellie Ablaza are well known for their contributions to society, in the civic and cultural milieu, as well as for their hospitality as gracious ‘hosts with the most’. They recently hosted a sit-down dinner for Philippine Ambassador to Italy for 11 years Philippe Lhuillier at their posh Forbes Park residence. It likewise marked the 54th Anniversary of the Chamber of Pawnbrokers of the Philippines, the national organization composed of 16,000 pawnshops all over the country. Ambassador Lhuillier of Cebuana Lhuillier, is past President of the CPPI. Owners of a chain of pawnshops, the ever radiant Mellie is the Honorary Consul of Guatemala, while Louie is the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Zambia and the elected President of the CPPI.

Ambassador Lhuillier inducted the following CPPI Board members: Consul Luis Ablaza, Jr., Vice Consul Marc Thomas Ablaza of United Pawnshop, Atty. Henry Villarica of Villarica Pawnshop, Honorary Consul Jean Henri Lhuillier of Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop, Michelina Aguirre Olondriz of Aguirre Pawnshop, Atty. Pablo Magno of AB Magno Pawnshop, Isabel Abella of Abella Pawnshop, Lina Enriquez of CM Picache Pawnshop, Celso Hernandez of Merced Hernandez Pawnshop, and Tito Alcala of Alto Pawnshop. The directors are: Rosemarie Bonifacio of BHF Pawnshop, Charles ‘Andre’ Lhuillier of M. Lhuillier Pawnshop, Debbie Rivera-Riveral of RD Pawnshop, Atty. Jose Tambunting of Tambunting Pawnshop, and Victoria Villanueva of VF Villanueva Pawnshop.