Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

These dancers make a colourful spectacle as they perform for guests at the National Day reception hosted by the Mexican ambassador on Monday. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

All National Day receptions bring their own history and magic, but there's something about Mexico.

Mariachi, tequila and tortillas, just a few of the things Jamaicans have come to love about Mexico, were all part of a festive celebration at the Hilton hotel on Monday night. Ambassador Leonora Rueda, along with her embassy staff, ensured it was as authentic as possible for guests, including socialites, diplomats, business leaders and teachers of Spanish, who occupied every inch of the ballroom.

Among those out were: Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni and wife Fiela; Indian High Commissioner Mohinder Grover; Russian Ambassador Victor Zotin; Honduran Ambassador Jose Eduardo Norris; German Ambassador Jurgen Engel; Argentine Ambassador Mario Pino; Charles and Lisa Johnston; Dr Jonathan Greenland and wife, Dr Rebecca Tortello; William Lampert and Anna Kaiser; Horace and Josephine Bogues; Kingsley Cooper and Romae Gordon; Sonia Rickards; Robert MacMillan and Candy Depass.

Also out were: Keith Cousins; Patrick and Marguerite Lynch; Nigel Pagon; Omar Azan; Dwight Richards; Chris Issa; Dr Dayanand Sawh and wife Indera Persaud; Aubyn Hill; Ramon and Deidre Corvera; Lois Lake-Sherwood; Alvaro Casserly; Ainsley and Marjorie Henriques; Lachu Ramchandani; Michael and Keva Hylton; Roy and Sylvia Collister; Rose and Ed Wehrli; Sancia Bennett-Templar; Marcel and Alexandra Consten; Hugh and Ouida Dunphy; Wallace Campbell; Ambassador Stewart Stephenson; Henry Rainford; Ramonia Smith; Peter and Fay Bangerter; Jennifer Stanigar; Capt David McRae; Cedric McDonald; Jonathan and Paula Surtees.

Simon Crosskill; Guillermo Hernandez; Annette Insanally; Prof Verene Shepherd; Ruth Potopsingh; Robert Gregory; Harold Brady; Neville Blythe; George Fatta; Prof Joe Pereira; Gloria Palomino; Ruby Martin; Mark Linehan; Trisha Thompson; Ricardo Allicock; Joy McHugh; Irena Cousins and Jennifer Lim.

Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda and Jamaica's Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Dr Kenneth Baugh, make a toast to continued good relations between their countries.

With violins, guitars and trumpets, the Mariachi band delights the audience.

Dainty duo, Rosa Joseph (left), businesswoman, and her friend Leila Younis, wife of Sameer Younis, enjoy a glass of wine at the Mexican National Day reception, held at the Hilton hotel, New Kingston, on Monday night.

Boss Furniture's Omar Azan (centre) and fellow businessman, Sameer Younis, greet Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda.