LANDCO PACIFIC is the developer of an upscale subdivision in the mountains of Cebu. They call it Monterrazas with the approval of the owners—architect Augusto “Toti” Villalon and his sister Margarita “Marga” Villalon.

Toti and Marga inherited these vast lands from their grandmother Genoveva Villalon. Hence, the name of their corporation, Genvi.

Landco recently hosted an awards night for top brokers in Cebu at Abaca, a seaside boutique hotel in Mactan Island.

Welcome remarks were delivered by Mike Reyes, Landco’s VP in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Messages came from Landco CEO Alfred Xerez-Burgos and Toti Villalon, Genvi’s president. Then the awardees were announced—Michael Plasencia, Roberto Pacana, Stella Cimafranca and Elona Atiniero. Part of the award is a trip to Australia. Top brokers of 2009 will get a trip to the US next year.

Landco’s top brass in Cebu were led by Zeny Quibranza, operations manager for Visayas and Mindanao projects; Shella Sarmiento, sales and marketing director; and Dodong Galo. Davao’s Tony Boy Floirendo, Ricky Floirendo, Alex Valoria and Oscar Grapa also attended the event.

Natasha Cang sang a repertoire of lively songs. The event was put up by Anne Marie Conejero and her staff from Graphic FX.

Well-attended event

One of the best-attended diplomatic receptions in recent memory was the one hosted by Makoto Katsura, Japan’s Ambassador to the Philippines, at the Shanghai Room of Marco Polo Plaza Hotel. It was a farewell party for the departing Consul of Japan in Cebu, Shigekazu Sakunaga, and an occasion to welcome his replacement, Toshio Okajima.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia graced the event as did many prominent businessmen and a good representation from the Consular Corps in Cebu. Consul Sakunaga made many friends during his stay in Cebu, and has told them to look him up as the Chief Consul in Japan’s Consulate General in Los Angeles, California.

Next day, Consul Sakunaga and Consul Okajima were honorees of the Consular Corps during lunch at Casino Español. This was an opportunity to hold a meeting and discuss plans for the coming months.

One big event is the Gala Filipiniana which the Cebu Consular Corps will hold on July 31 at the ballroom of Casino Español de Cebu. It is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Arts Council.

Speaking of diplomats, French Ambassador Thierry Borja de Mozota opened a furniture show in Cebu.

Ambassador Borja de Mozota took the opportunity to sign Memoranda of Agreements with the University of San Carlos and University of San Jose-Recoletos for the teaching of the French language in these two schools. Greatly instrumental in this was Louis Thevenin, director of Les Amis de la France French Cultural Institute and Language Center.

Borja de Mozota also took time to attend the colorful hippie-themed party hosted by Marguerite Lhuillier at her home in Maria Luisa Estate Park. Her children Chris and Kathy Darza helped entertain guests who came mostly in Flower Power costumes.

A Macau festival was held at Marco Polo Plaza Hotel. It attracted droves of gourmets and gourmands eager to feast on executive chef Luke Gagnon’s creations.