Some of the many spectacular silent auction items.
Luis Alfonso Borrego, Cynthia Olavarria
Alvaro, Maria Alejandra, Lily Montealegre, Paco Bendana
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The American Nicaraguan Foundation (ANF) celebrated their annual fundraising gala under the theme "Colores, Aromas y Sabores de mi Tierra" at the Intercontinental Miami. Emcees for the evening were Ivan Taylor from Telemundo and Diana Diaz from WSVN Channel 7.
The evening began with a touch of glamour as guests were greeted on the red carpet by gala chairs Theresita Pellas, Maria Amanda Rodriguez and Paco Bendaña, as well as ANF chairman of the board, Alfredo Pellas, Jr.
The extended cocktail hour allowed the nearly 1000 patrons a chance to bid on a fabulous array of silent auction items, while Mr. and Mrs. Pellas presented awards to the many deserving donors who have contributed to ANF. Among the items up for bid were week long trips to Tuscanian villas, Britto artwork, Rafael Cennamo Couture, Ladino custom made suits and Escudo-Prana furs from Argentina.
Special guests included Venezuelan recording star Ricardo Montaner, Miss Colombia Taliana Vargas - the first runner up to the present Miss Universe, Miss Canada Samatha Tajix and Miss Puerto Rico Cynthia Olivarria.
The ballroom was absolutely breathtaking as exquisite flower arrangements created by SAHID of Blooming Designs complimented the scenery, which included more than two dozen 18 foot trees – truly a Nicaraguan wonder, forest and all. Guests enjoyed an elegant dinner before dancing the night away until well past midnight.
The only break came at 11:30 p.m. when the Manolo Puerto Orchestra – reminiscent of the "Big Band" era – stopped playing long enough for the world renowned "Cat's Eye", an exclusive time piece donated by Gerard Perregaux, could be raffled.
After midnight the guests were able to enjoy a "Winter Wonderland Lounge" donated by Anheuser-Busch. The chic lounge was done in all white and featured Budweiser beers, a Cafe Don Paco coffee bar – tended by the 2008 Barista champion of the USA – and miniature dessert delicacies.
And when the clock struck 12:00, a multi-layered, Silvana white cake – with a custom made white chocolate Louboutin slipper – was wheeled to the center of the lounge in honor of gala co-chair Maria Amanda Rodriguez. The midnight hour rang in her birthday and it was celebrated in fine fashion as family and friends gathered around to help her blow out the candles.
The party continued until the wee hours. This celebration brought in people from all corners to toast its achievements of injecting nearly 100 million dollars annually into the most impoverished communities of Nicaragua. It was an event centered on love and appreciation, an exquisite affair that left no detail unattended.
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Gala co-chairs Theresita Pellas
and Maria Amanda Rodriguez |
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DJ Getting ready for the after party |
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Maria Amanda & Jorge Rodriguez |
Flor de Caña display |
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Café Don Paco bar |
Christian Carabias, Patricia Rivadaneira,
Rafael Cennamo, Adriana Duenas |
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Maria Amanda Rodriguez blowing out her birthday candles |
Amanda Rodriguez with family and friends |
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Paco Bendaña & Miguel Yrigoyen |
Diana Diaz with friends |
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Stephen Lalama, Pablo Maes and friend |
Future leaders of ANF |
Dr. George Abaunza, Teresa Buoniconti, Marc
Buoniconti, John Lyous, Martin Domond |
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Café Don Paco corner |
Alfredo Pellas, Theresita Pellas, Carlos Pellas, Jr. |
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Alfredo Pellas, Theresita Pellas, Marines Duarte |
Adriana Castro, Christian & Marialexandra Lisogorsky |
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Carlina & Pablo Cejas,
Maria Amanda Rodriguez |
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SELECT VODKA Display |
Mr. & Mrs. Alfredo Pellas with Mr. & Mrs. Paolo Coen |
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Alfredo Pellas, Theresita Pellas, Diana Diaz & Paco Bendaña |
Ricardo Montaner, Gregorio & Laura Lacayo |
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Cuban Crafters display |
Macarena Ivanissevich, Victoria Quintana, Carlos Debayle,
Ana Valladares, Maria Teresa Chamorro |
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Kevin & Annick Neal, Muriel & Jose Cornide |
Girls night out for a cause! |
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Helena Tchemissoua, Klaudia Olejnik, Alexandria Malik, Theresita Pellas and Samantha Tajik |
Taliana Vargas |
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Ivan Taylor, Diana Diaz |
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Klaudia Olejnik |
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