Alejandro Gutierrez-Olvera Cabrales and wife, Mayte, with Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda.

My daahlings, our South American neighbours most certainly know how to throw a party!

So much so that internationally, some have garnered a reputation for their dancing prowess such as Brazilians for their samba and Argentineans for the tango. In neighbouring Chile, they are more known for their political passion!

Here in Jamaica, however, when it comes to hosting a reception, few do it with the pizzazz and or razzmatazz of Chilean Ambassador Alfredo Garcia and wife, Luz Santamaria. And especially so if that reception is to mark the National Day of Chile, as was the case on Friday, September 18. Dears, it was the occasion of the 199th anniversary of Chilean independence and sovereignty and the couple threw open the doors to their official residence in the upscale neighbourhood of Millsborough, St Andrew, and hosted what was truly the reception of the season!

all things Chilean

It was a celebration of all things Chilean, from the culinary fare to premium wines and music done and served up with the passion and gusto associated with the spirit the South Americans. It made for an absolutely marvellous occasion! It was a humid late summer evening, the poolside was the perfect setting for the evening's reception, and with Ambassador Garcia and Señora Santamaria being two very gracious hosts, their charm and hospitality have made them one of the most admired couples on the diplomatic circuit. For the many who attended the celebrations, the occasion was a testimonial to their diplomatic credentials!

We are talking a happening do here as the occasion was a celebration of not just the pride, independence and stature of Chile, but also an occasion to celebrate the diplomatic, economic, political and social ties that have bonded the governments and people of Chile and Jamaica. It started with the establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries. And even before that act, Chile has had a significant Jamaican population living there.

expansive mood

Anyway, Chile is definitely in an expansive mood, as it seeks to strengthen ties with old allies and explore new friendships, in its quest to assert its role in the new dispensation. And that's a role Ambassador Garcia is most adept at executing, as evidenced by his commitment since his arrival, and highlighted in his address to the gathering. Foreign Affairs Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Dr Kenneth Baugh responded on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica.

And in the true spirit of the occasion, with formalities over, the real celebrations began, as the multi-talented Seretse Small and Friends, one of the hottest entertainment aggregations on the scene, simply transformed the occasion from a stately reception into a laid-back party. The music ran the gamut of Jamaican contemporary arias to South American foxtrot, with some continental melodies in between and it made for a fabulous celebration! We are talking rocking here, and nothing but, with some guests responding to the pulsating music with moves all their very own!

guest list

We saw Senate President Dr Oswald Harding; Government MP Gregory Mair and wife, Paula; Opposition MP Dr Peter Phillips; Glynne Manley; Dennis and Diane Lalor; Director of Protocol Ambassador Elinor Sherlock; Ambassador Madge Barrett and husband, Tunty Barrett; Ambassador Douglas Saunders; Joe and Bernadette Matalon; Kenny Benjamin; Head of the EU Delegation Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi Alemanni; British High Commissioner Jeremy Cresswell and wife, Dr Barbara Munske-Crosswell; Spanish Ambassador Jesus Silva and wife, Sara.

Also out were Indian High Commissioner Mohinder Grover; Ambassador Mario Pino of Argentina; Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda; High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago Yvonne Gittens-Joseph; Ambassador Dr Nafissatou Diagne of Senegal; Belgian Ambassador Frederic Meurice and his fabulous Congolese wife, Lydie Meurice; Dr Cedric Harper of St Kitts and Nevis; the new Canadian High Commissioner Stephen Hallihan and his wife, Cathy; new Cuban envoy, Ambassador Yuri Ariel Gala Lopez; Deputy Chief of Mission of the Venezuelan Embassy, Madai Hernandez and husband, Marcelo Munoz.

Also out were Honorary Consul of Ecuador Clelia Barreto de Hunter; Honorary Consul of Iceland Robert MacMillan; Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Thailand Thalia Lyn and husband, Captain Michael Lyn; Honorary Consul of Ghana Patrick Lynch and his tres elegant wife, Marguerite Lynch; Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic Jimmy Joseph; Dr Adolfo Mena; Contractor General Greg Christie and his lovely wife, Jan.

Francis Kennedy and wife, Marjory; Elena Girvan; Jamaica Manufacturers' Association President Omar Azan and his beautiful wife, Lezanne; Mark and Betty; Claro's Alejandro Gutierrez-Olvera Cabrales and his beautiful wife, Mayte; the charming Julia Mendoza; Hugh and Ouida Dunphy; Andrea Bickhoff-Benjamin and her fab daughter, Christina Benjamin; the lovely Avril Norton, plus a number of others.

Brazilian Ambassador Alexander Gueiros (left) and French Ambassador Marc-Olivier Gendry hang out at the Republic of Chile National Day reception.

Andrea Bickhoff-Benjamin (left), Madai Hernandez (centre) and Christina Benjamin are all dressed up for Chile's National Day Reception held at Millsborough Close on Friday, September 18.

Jimmy Joseph (left), Avril Norton (second left), Gregg Christie (second right) and his wife, Jan, are in an animated discussion.

Claudia Riguelme (left) hangs out with Luz Santamaria.

Ambassador of the Republic of Chile Alfredo Garcia (right) has a few words for Argentine Ambassador Mario Pino.

The new Cuban Ambassador Yuri Ariel Gala Lopez (left), Alfredo Garcia (centre) and Jesus Silva pose for the camera.

Francis Kennedy (left); Marjory Kennedy (centre); and Joseph A. Matalon (right), catch up on the latest headline-making events.

Chilean Ambassador Alfredo Garcia has a word with Elena Girvan.

Businesswoman Thalia Lyn (left), Kenny Benjamin (centre), and Indian High Commissioner Mohinder Grover seem to be focused on something interesting. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer