First project was an "FCCP Room" at the National Art Gallery of the National Museum.

Spearheaded by FCCP president Mellie R. Ablaza, the FCCP Room was inaugurated recently with much flourish and ado in a program dubbed "Alay at Pasasalamat."

It certainly is nice to witness the fulfillment of a project and much credit goes to Mellie Ablaza during whose term the FCCP indeed raised the most funds not only for its cultural missions but to purchase a condo unit for its office.

After the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon led by Mellie Ablaza and National Museum director Cora Alvina, the former turned over the FCCP check for the last payment of their one million peso donation to the National Museum.

Msgr. Matt Garcia sprinkled holy water to bless the Room after which awards of appreciaiton were given to sponsors who had helped the FCCP in the past year, such as … Imelda Cojuangco, Gerry Contreras, Baby de Jesus, Junjun Ablaza, Joanne Salgado of Jo–Liza Arts & Antiques.. ditto, Lifestyle Asia, Furn Italia, Vibal Publishing House, Unilever Phiippines, Deco Centrum, Cats Motors, Sindophil Inc., Anderson Arts & Crafts, RFR Construction, Pagoda Philippines, Titay’s Arts & Craft, ONP International, M. Tuliao, Great Ship Adventure Cruises Inc., Focus Global, Delifrance, Cora’s Garden, and Globe Telecom.

It is unclear what the function of the FCCP Room shall be but for the inauguration, there was a painting exhibition by FCCP scholars.

A mini concert featuring the Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of conductor Prof. Arturo Molina and soprano Camilla Lopez Molina (who sang kundimans by Abelardo, San Pedro and Manuel Velez), highlighted the afternoon. Emcee was former FCCP president Chloe Romulo Periquet.

The cocktail reception was catered by Swan Catering who made sure no meat was served since it was Ash Wednesday but they did have a delightfully wicked chocolate fountain!

The adhoc committee that took charge of the planning and organizing of "Alay at Pasasalamat" was led by FCCP director Boysie Villavicencio with co–chairpersons Helen Ong, Mabel Abaño and Cristina Caedo.

In the committee were … Nenuca Blardony, Nena Casimiro, thelma Gana, Rosette Guerrero, Lyn Liboro, Mila Lim, Kim Lokin, Emily Policarpio, Carla Santos, Baby Tan, Minerva Tanseco and Mimi Valerio.

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BY THE WAY… Birthday greetings this week go to — Rina Go of ViceVersa, today, April 3; Tatler’s Irene Martel Francisco, Bledes Fores, Leah Puyat, Gerard Ramirez, April 4; President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, former Miss Universe, actress Gloria Diaz, actor Richard Gomez, Charlie Barretto of SOM, publicist Tessa Jazmines, my STC classmate Elenita Onrubia Nolasco, April 5; my kuya Guillermo "Willie" Solivien, Tami Harel, April 6; society chronicler/ publicist Donnie C. Ramirez, writer Isah Red, April 7; my good friend, publicist Mario Tan, culinary whiz Sandy Daza, April 9 … best wishes to Juan Claudio S. Laya and Kate Elizabeth Ansbro who shall tie the knot on Saturday, April 8, at the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park. They are the children of Dr. Jaime C. Laya and David and Veronica Ansbro of Britain…get well wishes and prayers for Eric Cruz, beloved husband of Shirley Halili Cruz, who was in a car crash last week.. It always is best to look at the bright side of things. For instance — say a prayer of thanks that we woke up this morning to start a new week… So — SMILE!