September Sizzle

After many years of being out of the country every September, the events of this month made me realize the things I missed out every time I leave the country for my annual holiday. Thus, making the most out of lost time, I am splitting my usual monthly review into two just to accommodate all the celebrations of friends and numerous events I had immersed myself. And guess what, the first seven days alone was non-stop partying!

 The beach, booze and good food are common denominators of a birthday bash. On the first day of the month, good friend Erla Arañas added another gorgeous candle on her cake as she was surrounded by friends and family at her beach villa in hometown Liloan. With the beautiful weather, high tide and waters so clear, we just had to jump into the ocean to frolic with cocktails on hand. Days followed with close friends also celebrating their natal days: Brian Robles, Ferdinand Cabatingan and Sherwin Summer Noval, respectively. The week ended with my sister Monina’s birthday. Whew, too much fun in just one week!

Meanwhile, Cebu exploded with beauties when bombshells Denille Lou Valmonte, Karen Loren Agustin Ostrea and Precious Lara Quigaman paid a visit to promote the newest beauty pageant in the country. The former Binibining Pilipinas titlists, along with our very own beauty queen Ana Maris Igpit, gathered some members of the press at the Parklane Hotel to announce the Visayas-Mindanao screening of the Turismo Pilipina 2008 search. Working hand-in-hand with the Department of Tourism, the pageant aims to find a woman of substance to be the future spokesperson for Philippine tourism.