Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

The Spanish Ambassador, Jesús Silva (right), hosted National Day of Spain reception, at Norbrook Road, Norbrook, St. Andrew on Wednesday, October 11. He has a kiss for Lisa Johnston, while her debonair husband Charles looks on. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

My daahlings, some people have it, and some people don't! And it's always quite fabulous to find it, just when it seemed like the diplomatic and social circles were about to fall into the same-ole same-ole humdrum of predictable clichés, being presided over by the usual suspects!

Both circles have remained vibrant and interesting over the years, due to the variety and sparkle of the major players, who understand that entertaining is an art and not a chore. Because of this, time and care must be given especially when the occasion being celebrated is of importance.

Well, the Spanish embassy here in Kingston is one of those missions that has been blessed with having interesting personalities as heads of missions over the years. This has contributed to them being premier hosts when it comes to throwing any shindig, but especially so, in celebrating the Spanish National Day.

Two Wednesdays ago, Spain's first citizens here, their Excellencies Ambassador Jesús and Sara Silva, hosted their Natioanl Day.

Thrown in fine style

Sweet-things, this was not only prime time, it was the premier diplomatic affair and thrown in the finest of styles! Honeys, no froufrou here, just unvarnished first-world style, steeped in the elegance and language of the truly sophisticated and dripping with fabdom!

Hosted at the ambassador's official residence in upper St. Andrew, the reception was a study in flawlessness and then some! Mama-mía, and her cousin Esperanza, talk about fabulous! Pumpkins, this was it!

Luvs, without doubt, the official residence is one of the more fabulous properties to be found in the nation's capital - sitting as it does on several acres of prime real estate, and located in the upscale neighbourhood of Norbrook. The place is a beauty to behold, as we are talking rolling lawns, immaculately manicured, and gardens that frame a most charming main house and guest cottage that boasts an intimacy that is indeed quite alluring.

Anyway, in anticipation of the October showers, the ambassador and his staff prepared a giant of a marquee - and air-conditioned to boot - to host the hundreds expected for the occasion.

Well sweet-things, the marquee was not only fashionably decorated, representing the national colours of Spain, Ambassador Silva, his wife Señora Silva, their children and staff, created an extended reception line that began at the portico of the main residence and meandered down the walkway, on to the patio area, then to the red carpet that led straight into the welcoming embrace of the beautifully-decorated marquee.

Honeys, we are talking gracious hospitality; impeccable service; a more than fabulous fare; and a very august gathering of this here country's finest citizenry - all making for a smasheroni of a do! In fact, sensationally so!

Dovecakes, what a swelleganza!

Oh honeys, if y'all missed this one, then hate yourselves as we are talking a night of haute couture, rubies, emeralds, diamonds and other precious stones flashing from pampered earlobes, stately elongated necks, and flawlessly-manicured hands. And those were just the ladies in attendance!

Luvs, not to be outdone, the men for the most part, sported elegantly-tailored suits. Rolex, was the preferred timepiece, and for their fingers, the preferred item of jewellery were the rings of famous alma maters, while some opted for flashier stones on their pinkies. But children, it made for one fabulous social and nothing but!

Of course, there was a state of the union report as Ambassador Silva informed guests about the state of bilateral relations and commitment between his host country and his homeland. Foreign Affairs Minister Anthony Hylton led the champagne toast celebrating the state of friendship between Jamaica and Spain.

The guest list

And among those out were: Their Excellencies The Most Honourable Prof. Kenneth Hall and Rheima Holding-Hall; Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke; Deputy Foreign Minister Senator Delano Franklyn; Opposition Senator Anthony Johnson; former Health Minister John Junor and wife Urla Junor; former Information Minister Burchell Whiteman and his elegant wife Jolene Whiteman; JDF Chief-of-Staff Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin; Dean of the Diplomatic Corp, HE Ambassador Cedric Harper and wife Dr. Barbara Harper.

Also out were: Head of the EU Delegation HE Ambassador Gerd Jarchow and wife Mara Mandara-Jarchow; U.S. Ambassador HE Brenda LaGrange-Johnson; Chinese Ambassador HE Zhao Zhenyu; British High Commissioner HE Jeremy Creswell; French Ambassador HE Francis Hurtut; Belgian Ambassador HE Herman Portacarero and wife Myriam Portacarero; Canadian High Commissioner HE Denis Kingsley and wife, the charming Jo-Ann Kingsley; Indian High Commissioner HE Kailash Agrawal; Mexican Ambassador, HE the lavishly beautiful Leonora Rueda; Colombian Ambassador HE Dr. Kent Francis; Chilean Ambassador HE Alfanso Silva; Argentinean Ambassador HE Gonzalo and Ines Fernández; Brazilian Ambassador HE Cesar Amoral and his lovely wife Lida Amoral; Trinidad and Tobago's High Commissioner HE Yvonne Gittens-Josephs; Deputy British High Commissioner Paul Nicopolo and wife Corrine Nicopolo; Deputy Head Of Mission German Embassy Mrs.Maria Friedrich-Boerger and her hubby Antoine Boerger; Deputy Head of Mission of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Madai Hernández A; husband of the South African High Commissioner Jabulani Radebe; Mr. and Mrs. Juan Carlos Espinoza; EU Delegation First Secretary Felice Zaccheo.

We also saw: The Most Hon. Glynne Manley; David Coore Q.C.: Pop icon and mogul, Chris Blackwell; business tycoon Hon. Oliver Clarke and his lovely wife Monica Ladd; hotel mogul the Hon. John Issa and his lovely daughter Muna Issa, his son-in-law, Chris Nakash, also out; style denizen Beverly Junor Levy and her lovely daughter Suzanne Levy-Louis; the serenely elegant Susan Alexander; Barclay Ewart and wife; "A-Crowder" Robert MacMillan; the elegant Joy Mahfood; businessman Paul Issa; Dr. Ralph Thompson and wife Dodi Thompson; Capt. Mike Lyn and wife, social empress Thalia Lyn; Richard Stewart and his elegant wife Diana Stewart; Charley Johnston and wife Lisa McGregor-Johnston; Paul and Becky Stockhausen; Winston and Franny Mahfood; Dr. Oswald and Marigold Harding; the so fabulous Joan McDonald; the stunning Michelle Phillips and her mom, Elena Miguel-Hitchins; Former JDF Chief-of-Staff Rear Admiral Peter Brady and wife Carol Brady; Tunty Barrett and wife the supremely elegant Ambassador Madge Barrett; Dr. Cezley Sampson; Ambassador Maxine Roberts; Dr. Wesley Hughes; Dr. Jonathan Greenland and wife Dr. Rebecca Tortello; Capt. David McCrae and the charming Felicity Crosswel-Brandt; Randy Mair and wife Nicola Crosswell-Mair; Milton and Elizabeth Samuda; Nicky Feanny; Donovan and Michelle Perkins; Cable and Wireless's Rodney Davis and his lovely wife Nadja Davis.