by Emcee Go

Perched atop one of the city’s exclusive hills, Marguerite Lhuillier’s home offers a graceful nod to old-world sensibilities—a fitting setting for an intimate evening among friends in a city still finding its footing.

Gerry and Pam Motanus, Margie Lhuillier, Christine Pelaez, Iris Arcenas, Eva and Jiji Gullas, Jun Pelaez

The dinner was in honor of Gerry Montanus and Pamela Manuel, briefly back in town and warmly welcomed. “I think we brought the quake,” Pamela quipped, laughing as she recalled the timing of their arrival. Gerry—imposingly tall at 6 feet 7—had leapt out of bed when the tremors began. Their own home, a stilts-supported creation by architect James Jao, had responded with a particularly theatrical sway, although there was no major damage except perhaps for half the water in their infinity pool.

Christine Pelaez, Pam Montanus, Eva Gullas, Iris Arcenas, Margie Lhuillier and June Alegrado

Jiji Gullas, Jun Pelaez and Gerry Montanus

Despite the unsettling prelude, the evening unfolded with the kind of ease that only Marguerite can host. The menu was quietly luxurious: a perfectly roasted leg of lamb and saffron-infused mahi mahi anchored the main course. From Marguerite’s kitchen came a procession of homemade sweets—silken leche flan, dense squares of food for the gods, crumbly polvoron, and a butter-laden cassava cake made by Christine Pelaez that left little room for restraint. The flavors, much like the company, were familiar, comforting, and quietly indulgent.

Guests included Jiji and Eva Gullas, Jun and Christine Pelaez, June Alegrado and Iris Arcenas.