Heard in the Hive

Last Monday, the first resident Portuguese Ambassador to Malta, Antonio Russo Dias, and his wife Paula hosted the first official reception marking Portugal's National Day. This was a special reception in more ways than one, however, since it was combined with the inauguration of the embassy at Whitehall Mansions in Ta' Xbiex.

Performing the inauguration ceremony was the visiting Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs, Fernando D'Oliveira Neves, who unveiled a commemorative brass plaque in the presence of the Acting President of the Republic, Dr George Hyzler, the Prime Minister, Dr Lawrence Gonzi, and other guests, among them ministers, MPs, ambassadors accredited to Malta, Salv Stellini, who has been appointed resident Maltese Ambassador in Lisbon, and Dr Austin Sammut, honorary consul of Portugal in Malta.

Whitehall Mansions is thus home to five diplomatic missions now: besides Portugal, the British High Commission, the Netherlands Embassy, the Spanish Embassy, and the Austrian Embassy; the Irish Embassy should be opening shortly.

Portugal's National Day falls on June 10; it marks the death on that day in 1580 of Luis de Camöes, the country's greatest poet and author of its national epic, the Lusiads, celebrating Portuguese history and achievements, especially its explorations and discoveries of new lands.

Addressing the guests, Mr D'Oliveira Neves said that after Malta's accession to the European Union, the Portuguese and Maltese governments agreed to upgrade their diplomatic relations to those of resident ambassadors. The two countries, he said, shared similar goals as EU members, namely the shaping of a common foreign policy and the building of a prosperous Europe.

Malta and Portugal will be working more closely than ever before, and facing common challenges together.

Mr D'Oliveira Neves then invited all present to drink to the happiness and prosperity of both peoples and a bright future in Europe.

In his reply, Dr Hyzler spoke of the growth of the European Union since 1957, thanks to which the peoples of the continent have enjoyed unprecedented peace, stability and prosperity.

It was 20 years since Portugal had joined the EU, and the country had undoubtedly seen great progress; for Malta only two years had passed since membership, but he was sure that relations between the two countries had been much strengthened through their common membership of the EU, since they shared the same values and ideals.

These bonds have now been consolidated with the opening of the Portuguese Embassy in Malta and, eventually, of the Maltese Embassy in Lisbon.

Dr Hyzler then proposed a toast to the growth of friendship and close relations between the two countries and their progress in peace and prosperity.

The speeches were followed by the playing of the two national anthems.

Miss World - Malta winner

Solange Jeanne Mifsud, 22, of Zabbar, was recently crowned Miss World - Malta 2006, during a pageant organised by Sue Rossi and Claudia Calleja of Modelle International, at Selmun Palace.

The Miss World - Malta contest, which this year marked the tenth edition, is the only contest which entitles a Maltese representative to participate in the Miss World beauty pageant, which is being held in Warsaw, Poland, on September 29.

Ms Mifsud, who will be competing with representatives of 112 countries during a show which will attract approximately 2.5 billion televiewers, won various trophies and gifts. As the new title-holder, she wore a prestigious crown and sceptre sponsored by Sterling Jewellers which was presented by Alfred Fenech. She was also awarded the Best Personality award, and the Miss XFM.

Lyona Xeureb, 19, of Tarxien, placed second, followed by Shanel Debattista, 19, of Msida, who was also named Miss Babyliss, Miss Pierre Cardin Beauté, and Miss Photogenic, presented by Fotoclassic.

Other titles presented during the final night were: Face of Gwida, presented to Lisa Mifsud, and Miss Gateway to Miss World, awarded to Donna Marie Bonello.

During the event, the 29 contestants took part in a swimwear show presented by Ladies Secrets Lingerie, with Oakley sunglasses by Time International, and paraded in exclusive evening wear.

The show was compèred by Charles Saliba. Entertainment was provided by Fabrizio Faniello, Richard Coxen, and DJ Steve Caesar.

There were also fashion shows by Ladies Secrets, Diva Fashion of Hamrun, Caprio by Nemo of Mosta and Babyliss. A team of hairstylists from the Hair Lounge, Cut Coiffuer, the Beauty Team, Avantgarde and Maria's Hair Salon were responsible for the contestants' hair. Cut Coiffeur was also responsible for the models' hair during the fashion shows. Make-up was sponsored by Pierre Cardin Beauté, represented by Chemimart.

Modelle International thank Net TV, Sonlit for lights, and DJS Trading. Applications for the 11th edition of Miss World - Malta 2007 are now available. Phone 9949-4817.

Cristina Chiabotto guest of Alta Care Laboratoires in Malta

Cristina Chiabotto, the beautiful blonde and Miss Italy 2004, was the latest guest of Alta Care Laboratoires at the five-star Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa.

On winning the Italian beauty contest, Cristina Chiabotto soon became famous both as a model and as a participant in various television programmes, the most popular being Ballando con le stelle on RAI Uno, conducted by Milly Carlucci.

Cristina, together with her dancing instructor Raimondo Todaro, had also won the contest.

This has been indeed a very busy season for Cristina Chiabotto; deservedly it has been concluded with a beautiful and relaxing holiday at the Golden Sands' luxury spa.

Recently, Alta Care Laboratoires inaugurated at this luxurious spa its very latest aesthetic machinery, new techniques and innovative beauty programmes, all in line with an updated range of cosmetic products that the company produces at its French laboratories which are being launched on the international market.

Alta Care Laboratoires machinery offers a wide range of beauty programmes and massages that revitalise and restore the beauty of one's face and body. Problems of dry, impure and sagging skin, as well as wrinkles brought about by aging, can be solved by means of the face and body programmes during which products and machinery, created for this very purpose by Alta Care Laboratoires, are used.

Cellulite, water retention and circulatory problems can be solved by means of these advanced technological machines and programmes are carried out in an especially relaxing environment designed according to the highly professional criteria of Alta Care Laboratoires. Finally there are also machines for definitive epilation, manicure and pedicure.

At the end of her holiday, Cristina said: "I have been very well looked after by Alta Care Laboratoires and the Radisson Golden Sands Resort and Spa is unique". Before leaving the spa she said she would return gladly to well being centres where Alta Care Laboratoires were present.

Alta Care Laboratoires have fully operational centres in Rome at 6, Piazza di Spagna, 146, Via Veneto and 134,Viale delle Milizie.

40th anniversary of teachers' training at MATC

The Seminary at Tal-Virtù went back in time - 40 years to be exact - bringing back so many memories to ex-students of Mater Admirabilis Teachers' Training College of 1964-1966.

The reunion started with Mass celebrated in the college chapel with an organist and choir made up of teachers who were members of the choir during their college days. The atmosphere in the chapel rippled with excitement as they relived their years together.

Some of the group had not met since college days, some, sadly, have passed away. However for the 80 who were present for the celebration, one morning was not long enough to relate all that happened to them during the past 40 years.

The college refectory, where they had lunch, brought back memories of the pranks and jokes of some of their more daring colleagues.

Together with the Old Girls on this occasion were Sr Marie Scicluna, Sr Pauline Curmi, Sr Christina Debono and Sr Carmen Valentino of the Society of the Sacred Heart.

The group is grateful to the organising committee headed by Marcelle Darmanin, née Galea, whose efforts made this reunion such a success. The ex-students wanted to share their joy with others by donating Lm100 in aid of the Hospice Movement.

Middlesea Insurance marks its 25th anniversary

The Upper Barracca Gardens, with the Grand Harbour as a backdrop, served as the ideal venue for Middlesea Insurance plc to host its 25th anniversary reception last Monday for its clients, agents, intermediaries and business associates under the distinguished patronage of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi,

After welcoming, the Prime Minister and guests, in a short address, Mario C. Grech, chairman of Middlesea, relived the evolution of Middlesea by visiting major milestones.

Established in 1981 with the role of recipient of the reinsurance legal cession, Middlesea also helped the Government improve the balance of payments. Long-term growth in the international reinsurance market was achieved when the company upgraded its London contact office to a branch office in 1987.

Middlesea's commitment to education, training and career development manifested itself in 1982 with the establishment of the Malta International Training Centre, which was instrumental in the training of many Maltese working in senior positions within the insurance sector.

To support Malta's ambitions of becoming an international financial centre, Middlesea established International Insurance Management Services Ltd in 1991 to act as an insurance manager specialising in captive formation and risk management, offering administrative and other management services to insurance, reinsurance and affiliated insurance companies operating in and more importantly 'from' Malta.

1994 saw Parliament unanimously pass a package of financial services legislation. Middlesea, along with Bank of Valletta plc and the Munich Reinsurance Company, set up the pioneering bancassurance operation Middlesea Valletta Life Assurance Co. Ltd.

Furthermore, Middlesea was the first non-banking financial institution to list on the Malta Stock Exchange. The orderly restructuring of the shareholding then followed.

In 2000, Middlesea Group acquired Progress Assicura-zioni SpA, a company operating in Sicily with the aim of penetrating the Italian market and concentrating on Southern Italy and Sardinia.

Mr Grech augured that the next 25 years should also be successful because of new entrants bringing with them fresh ideas and a resolve to meet the challenges and opportunities that the Euro-Med region pre-sented, balanced with a dose of prudence.

Mr Grech ended by thanking the previous managing director, Philip A. Long, and his predecessors, Albert Mizzi, Sonny Borg and Mr Justice Giannino Caruana Demajo. He also thanked the present and past chairmen of Bank of Valletta plc who were so committed to supporting the strategic alliance that was struck.

Thanks were also extended to foreign shareholders Assicurazioni Generali SpA, Munich Reinsurance Co. and Corporacion Mapfre for their unstinting support. He also thanked the management and staff who worked as a team to create the results that benefited the company's shareholders and customers.

Dr Gonzi congratulated Middlesea Insurance plc for its 25 years of success. After having looked at the growth of the company as well as the results posted in 2005, it was evident that there were two elements that had provided the necessary impetus for the company to succeed, especially after Malta joined the European Union.

The company was able to respond to change and did not hesitate to em-brace the challenges and opportunities offered by change. The board, executive and staff rose to the occasion and served as an example for the nation in responding to change. Various people who may have felt that entering foreign markets was the correct way forward no doubt expressed scepticism.

Investment in the human resource was another key element to success. The company established high professional standards and it was the foresight, vision and strategy of the board that helped in achieving the success story. This was an occasion that gave a sense of pride and under-scored that Malta's greatest asset was the Maltese themselves.

He concluded by extending his thanks to all those who have contributed to making Middlesea Insurance plc a success.

Mr Grech presented the Prime Minister with a memento to mark the occasion.

Cini - Walker

Balluta parish church was recently the wedding venue for the marriage between Nadia Cini, daughter of Carmen and Martin Cini, of St Venera, and Sean Walker, son of Frida and Joseph Walker of Swieqi.

Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Hilary Tagliaferro.

Marco Tieben, uncle of the bride, and Claude Scerri, cousin of the groom, witnessed the ceremony. Johan Parnis carried out the duties of best man.

The bride, who looked radiant in a white dress made from French lace and pure silk and carried a bouquet of cream and white roses, was attended by her sister Lara Cini and Rachel Formosa Holt, cousin of the groom, as bridesmaids.

A reception was later held at the Hilton Portomaso Suite, St Julian's. The couple spent their honeymoon in London and Paris.

For your diary

The sixth and last lecture organised by the Malta Historical Society, entitled "The True Identity of the Painter Cassarino", delivered in English by Dr Simon Mercieca, is being held at the Wignacourt Museum tomorrow at 6.30 p.m.

AX Foundation is organising Mnarja at the Grand Harbour, in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, at the Valletta Waterfront, on Wednesday at 7.30 p.m. Tickets cost Lm4, which includes entrance fee and food vouchers. For bookings phone 2157-7101, 2133-4711 or 2146-4916.

A card party in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor is being held at the Preluna Hotel, Sliema, on July 5 from 10 a.m. for bookings phone Blanche Martin on 2133-0387.

The Catholic Action is organising a barbecue at San Anton Hotel, St Paul's Bay, near the swimming pool, on July 8 at 8 p.m. For bookings phone 2122-2239.

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements - June 26-July 2

Tomorrow
10.30 a.m. The President visits the Residential Rehabilitation Centre for Drug Abuse of the St Mary Community on International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and the 12th anniversary of Agenzija Sedqa at Hal-Farrug, l/o Rabat.

Wednesday
11 a.m. The President receives German Ambassador Georg Merten at the Palace, Valletta.

Noon The President receives Sir Bob Geldof.

Noon Mrs Fenech Adami presides over the Ball of the August Moon committee meeting at San Anton Palace.

7.30 p.m. The President inaugurates the exhibition of works by Luciano Micallef organised by BoV at the head office in St Venera.

Thursday
Noon The President presides over the presentation of prizes to the winners of competitions organised by the Socjetà Agrarja on the feast of Mnarja at Buskett.

Friday
9.30 a.m. Mrs Fenech Adami receives Mrs Geoghegan, spouse of Mr Geoghegan, group executive of HSBC, accompanied by Mrs Gonzi, chairman of HSBC Cares for Children Fund, and Mrs Farrugia Randon at San Anton Palace.

Noon The President receives Mr Geoghegan, accompanied by HSBC Malta chairman and chief executive Albert Mizzi and Shaun Wallis, at the Palace, Valletta.

7.30 p.m. The President presides over the presentation of the St Paul medal to Salv Stellini organised by the St Paul's Socio-Cultural Institute at St Paul Shipwrecked Sanctuary, St Paul's Bay.

Saturday
8 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami preside over a concert by the National Orchestra as part of the Golden Flute Festival in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund at San Anton Palace.