It is difficult to describe the beauty of Paris in winter. The French capital simply shimmers despite the chill and you could feel the glow of a vibrant city in the air.
I was with a group that included tita Lolit Solis with Shirley Pizarro and Jojo Gabinete, which spent three fantastique days in Paris last week. We were expecting a lot of snow and freezing weather following an icy spell that gripped Europe at the start of the year. But we were lucky: the weather had cleared by the time we arrived and the cold was bearable enough for us to explore the city.
Dr. Vicki Belo is thoroughly familiar with Paris. That’s because she maintains an apartment on Rue du Duras, which is a five-minute walk from Champs Elysees, the city’s main avenue.
The French describe Champs Elysees as “the most beautiful avenue in the world,” and I totally agree. The tree-lined, two-kilometer road has a charm all its own. Along its sides are cafes, theaters, and designer boutiques. It is also steeped in history. Kings, conquerors and celebrities have paraded on Champs Elysees.
At the broad avenue stands the Arc de Triomphe, which was built by the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte to honor his military victories.
Like any tourist, we visited the Eiffel Tower. Here’s an interesting historical note that somehow connects France and the Philippines: Gustave Eiffel, who built the world-famous tower, also designed the Quezon Bridge in Manila. He is also said to have been involved in designing San Sebastian Church.
We also passed by the Pont de l’Alma road tunnel where Princess Diana was killed in a car accident in 1997.
It seems there are designer stores on almost every street in Paris. There’s a Prada store near Dr. Belo’s apartment.
I won’t be surprised if a branch of Belo’s opens in Paris in the future.
The good doctor has a tita who lives in Paris, tita Babette. A former house model of Kenzo, Tita Babette is a close friend of Ms. Millet Mananquil, the Lifestyle editor of The Philippine Star.
At any rate, special thanks to Tita Lolit Solis and Dra. Belo.
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Anne Curtis hasn’t completely gotten over the loss of her $600 amethyst ring while on a flight from South Korea. Anne had bought the ring in Hong Kong as a gift to herself.
She noticed the ring was missing after she left the plane and was on her way to airport customs. She immediately informed the authorities and they returned to the plane to search. They found the ring’s box but it was empty. Anne is convinced someone stole it.
“I cried because you feel at a loss when someone steals or something is taken away from you,” the actress said.
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Thanks to Regal Films’ Lily Monteverde, Baron Giesler has something to look forward to after he finishes his rehab for alcoholism.
According to Baron’s manager, Arnold Vegafria, Mother Lily has promised to give the actor a project with Regal after his treatment, which will last for three months.
Before he went to Baguio for the rehab, Baron had to undergo an executive check-up at the Medical City. Vegafria said the test results, including the one for HIV, came out negative.
Baron can only receive visitors only after a month of rehab. He will, however, be allowed to attend the court hearings on different cases in which he stands accused of acts of lasciviousness.