THE Ambassador of France to the Philippines H.E. Thierry Borja de Mozota presented credentials to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Jan. 15 and in less than a month he made an official visit to Cebu.

The red carpet was extended to him by Michel Lhuillier, Honorary Consul of France in the Visayas, and Mme. Amparito Llamas Lhuillier. With the ambassador came the French Embassy?s press attache, Carolle Lucas, who has been in the country almost four years now.

Ambassador Borja de Mozota paid a call at the Cebu City Hall to meet acting Mayor Mike Rama and Vice Mayor Hilario Davide III. At the Provincial Capitol, he was welcomed by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

The ambassador?s first social activity was to meet the French community in Cebu at the Les Amis de la France French Cultural Institute and Language Center. It is also the site of the consulate. Doing the honors were director Louis Thevenin, Alice Gauny and Marry Anne Farrugia.

Tall, good-looking and affable Ambassador Borja de Mozota greeted everyone and had eloquent words for Les Amis. Michel is the current president. Present were Les Amis secretary-treasurer Judge Romulo Senining and director Marlinda Tan. All efforts are being made to establish L?Alliance Francaise de Cebu.

An informal party for a small group of friends followed at The Gustavian restaurant in Banilad. Executive chef Dietmar Dietrich prepared an impressive menu. The ambassador sat next to Arts Council president Petite Garcia and across Marguerite Lhuillier who was more beautiful than ever.

Next day, Feb. 14, the ambassador visited Casa Gorordo, which was built in the 1860s and is now a showcase of the era?s lifestyle under the aegis of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI). On hand to welcome him were the foundation?s president Roberto Aboitiz and his wife Ma. Cristina Cabarrus de Aboitiz.

Jocelyn Gerra, who heads RAFI?s Heritage Program, personally toured the ambassador and his party. In the group was architect Augusto ?Toti? Villalon for whom Casa Gorordo is ?home.? Toti did the restoration of the house more than 25 years ago, as well as its recent thorough update. He is working on a project with the French Ministry of Culture to be based in Cebu. People will be trained for proper historical monument restoration.

Following that was lunch with the Cebu press at Pino Filipino restaurant. Joel del Prado made sure the house specialties were served. The table was strewn with more than 1,000 red rose petals. The ambassador said he loves Filipino food and mentioned some of his favorites.

Next activity was a helicopter ride to Boljoon, a municipal more than 100 km south of Cebu City in the eastern coast. It has a beautiful Spanish church whose floor plan is exactly that of Basilica del Santo Niño. Restoration is ongoing.

To culminate Valentine?s Day there was dinner for Ambassador Borja de Mozota at the new home of Michel and Amparito Lhuillier in Maria Luisa Estate Park. Mist had enveloped the dew-strewn garden but soon it cleared to reveal an astounding vista of Cebu?s lights.

Tableware by Monique

Setting was the formal dining room with a massive antique wooden table for 12, decorated with white lilies and roses, scented candles and heirloom silver. Amparito pointed out she was using, for the first time, the fine goblets and porcelain designed by daughter Monique for Royal Doulton. They carry her initials, too. Napkin holders forming flowers or dragonflies in crystal beads had the signature of daughter-in-law Johanna Maitland-Smith Lhuillier.

Ambassador Borja de Mozota sat at the head of the table, with Governor Gwen Garcia on one side, and Amparito on the other. Michel presided the other end, flanked by Carolle Lucas and Marian Aboitiz. The rest of the ?dramatis personae? were the following:

Netherlands Honorary Consul Bobby Aboitiz, UK Honorary Consul Moya Jackson with Mr. Antony Jackson, Louis Thevenin and his wife Honeylet, a stunning beauty. When she worked at the Shangri-La Makati, she was often asked to model for ad photos of the hotel. Marguerite Lhuillier later caught up with the group, and charmed all.

Chef Rober Lilja of The Gustavian prepared a great menu. The starter was aptly called ?Lucullus Salad.? It had organic garden greens grown at the Lhuillier farms in north Cebu, with salmon tartare and hearts of artichoke cut into little pieces.

The tomato soup was flavored with orange rated raves. A sorbet of watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew with a dash of port wine drew even more ?ohs? and ?ahs.? Main course was a medallion of the tenderest beef ever topped by juicy shrimp. Varied sweets came on the dessert plate.

Michel Lhuillier, like his late parents Henry and Angelita Lhuillier, keeps one of the finest wine cellars in the land. From it came the Dom Perignon champagne served as welcome drink, as well as the exquisite white and red wined poured during the meal. The Armagnac and Courvoisier at the end of the evening were perfect, even after about 30 years in storage. Perhaps even better than ever.

Before he left, Ambassador Borja de Mozota thanked his hosts and their guests for a wonderful evening and stay in Cebu. He ventured a few phrases in Filipino and promised to learn some Cebuano for his next visit. ?I have to return, there is so much to see, to do, and to enjoy,? he said.

How about March 12? That?s the night La Chaine des Rotisseurs will hold a gala induction dinner at The Marquee of the Shangri-La in Mactan. Michel and Amparito will preside and welcome 16 new members into Cebu?s La Chaine.

They have tasted and approved a menu of French classical cuisine devised by the resort?s Executive Chef Emmanuel Guemon. He is French and has earned stars in the prestigious Michelin gourmet ratings. There are only 100 seats available and reservations have been brisk. Shangri-La Mactan GM Raymond Bragg says it will be an unforgettable experience. To which we say ?Oui, oui.?