French classes open Jan. 9

WE WISH you all a happy and prosperous new year! Tomorrow Dec. 30 is the 115th anniversary of the death of National Hero Jose Rizal. The Cebu City Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission leads in the observance.

The public is cordially invited to attend the holy mass at 7:30 a.m. at the Rizal monument in Plaza

Sugbu at the Cebu City Hall grounds. A floral offering will follow.

In progress at the 3rd floor of the Atrium in SM City Cebu up to tomorrow Dec. 30 is an exhibit titled “Mugna-Lambigit.” It is an art expo participated by the following:

Darby Alcoseba, Cesar Castillo, Felix Catarata, Pronnie de la Cerna, John Dinglasa, Guido Lubanga, Melver Mercado, Celso Pepito, Fe Pepito, Remy Rault, Renulo Torino, Antonio Vidal and Sonia Yrastorza.

The group show is sponsored by the Province of Cebu, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and the

Cebu Artists Inc. in cooperation with SM City Cebu. The aim is to raise funds for the restoration of Gabaldon school houses of which there are about 100 in public schools all over Cebu province.

The name derives from Assemblyman Isauro Gabaldon who in 1907 authored an act to build this type of school houses all throughout the Philippines. It was part of the strategy to pacify the Filipinos after the American War, and introduce formal public education in the Philippines.

These school buildings now form part of the country’s cultural and architectural heritage. Some of these structures feature in the exhibited paintings. Truly, they need repair, if not outright rebuilding.

Alliance Francaise de Cebu will open a new session of classes in the French language starting Jan. 9 at its location in the 2nd level of the QC Pavilion along Gorordo Avenue. Take note of the sked:

Daily classes are Monday to Friday, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (50 hours). Crash course, anyone? Morning sessions are 9 a.m. to 12 noon; and in the afternoon, from 2 to 5 p.m. (90 hours).

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 2 to 4 p.m. (48 hours); Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (32 hours); Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12 noon (24 hours). There are Saturday classes for children, 1 and a half hours in the afternoons.

Call up Alliance Francaise de Cebu at tel. 232-1311.

You may also inquire about customized classes for nurses emigrating to French-speaking Canada, specializing in “Medical French.”

Aside from learning a useful medical vocabulary, the nurses will have the chance to improve their speaking skills through practical activities. Here’s one of them:

Members and students of Alliance Francaise may avail of the latest technology and use a modern

library offering French newspapers and magazines, a wide range of books, comics and more.

Plans for 2012 include a cooking workshop with a French chef who will impart valuable lessons in French gastronomy.

In the calendar of events:

Casino Español de Cebu will hold its traditional “Baile de Disfraces” on Dec. 31. The costume ball is to ring out 2011 and welcome the new year 2012. There will be an anticipated mass at 6:30 p.m. and the ballroom will be opened at 8 p.m.

Dance music will be played up to 2 a.m. As usual, there will be a costume parade with prizes going to the most colorful, the most original, and the most

elegant in three categories: individuals, couples, and groups (at least six persons, three of whom must be members of Casino Español).

The Consul General of the People’s Republic of China and Mme. He Shijing will host a farewell reception on Wednesday Jan. 4 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the ballroom of the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.

Smart Casual is the requested attire for the Thanksgiving Dinner of Choi City Seafood restaurant on Friday Jan. 6 at its location in the Banilad Town Centre. Cocktails start at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. in what is regarded as Cebu’s best exponent of Cantonese cuisine.