Colores, Aromas y Sabores de mi Tierra – ANF
The American Nicaraguan Foundation's Annual Gala

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.
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.
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.
Gala co-chairs Theresita Pellas and Maria Amanda Rodriguez
DJ Getting ready for the after party
Maria Amanda & Jorge Rodriguez
Flor de Caña display
Café Don Paco bar
Christian Carabias, Patricia Rivadaneira, Rafael Cennamo, Adriana Duenas
Maria Amanda Rodriguez blowing out her birthday candles
Amanda Rodriguez with family and friends
Paco Bendaña & Miguel Yrigoyen
Diana Diaz with friends
Stephen Lalama, Pablo Maes and friend
Future leaders of ANF
Dr. George Abaunza, Teresa Buoniconti, Marc Buoniconti, John Lyous, Martin Domond
Café Don Paco corner
Alfredo Pellas, Theresita Pellas, Carlos Pellas, Jr.
Alfredo Pellas, Theresita Pellas, Marines Duarte
Adriana Castro, Christian & Marialexandra Lisogorsky
Carlina & Pablo Cejas, Maria Amanda Rodriguez
SELECT VODKA Display
Mr. & Mrs. Alfredo Pellas with Mr. & Mrs. Paolo Coen
Alfredo Pellas, Theresita Pellas, Diana Diaz & Paco Bendaña
Ricardo Montaner, Gregorio & Laura Lacayo
Cuban Crafters display
Macarena Ivanissevich, Victoria Quintana, Carlos Debayle, Ana Valladares, Maria Teresa Chamorro
Kevin & Annick Neal, Muriel & Jose Cornide
Girls night out for a cause!
Helena Tchemissoua, Klaudia Olejnik, Alexandria Malik, Theresita Pellas and Samantha Tajik
Taliana Vargas
Ivan Taylor, Diana Diaz
Klaudia Olejnik