Not a Moet too soon

“It is not length of life, but depth of life.”  — Ralph Waldo Emerson

A truly lavish and highly spirited affair was recently hosted by Moet Hennessy led by business development manager Randy Uson at the Makati Shangri-La’s signature restaurant, Red, for the Veuve Clicquot Vintage dinner. The suave ambiance dotted with yellow roses featured a soothing classical music triumvirate as the vintage champagne Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin provided the piece de resistance which lingered on throughout the night. Notable figures in business and society circles such as Robinsons Land president and COO Frederick Go and wife Winnie, BMW Philippines president Andreas Biehler and wife Min Kyung, Philippine STAR president and CEO Miguel Belmonte and lovely wife Milette, Philippine Cancer Society 2008 Best Dressed awardee and 2007 Hoseki Woman Marivic Madrigal Vasquez, Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland and CEO of Planters Development Bank Jesus Tambunting and wife Marge were all impressed by the combination of rare spirits, gourmet food and good company.

Cheers!

Johnny congratulates...

The new members of the Philippine-Italian Association (PIA) who were inducted by PIA president Nedy Tantoco (seated, third from left) and Italian Ambassador Rubens Anna Fedele (seated, fifth from left). The new members and directors include (seated, from left) Carrie Bautista, Tereret Liboro, PIA secretary general Lina Lorenzo, Cynthia Conine, Letty Hahn and Cosetta Cassin Fedele; (standing, from left) Marilou Alejandro, Naty Pappas, Dott. Massimiliano Sponzilli of the Italian Trade Commission, Minerva Tanseco, Maria Algreir, Lyn Liboro, Jaime Laya, Rose Lazaro, Tessie Rodrigo and Frank Evaristo.

A warm welcome

A very exclusive lunch was recently hosted at the luxurious Umu, Dusit Thani Manila’s newest Japanese restaurant, to welcome the Best Western International top executives to the Philippines led by BWI VP for international operations-Asia Glenn de Souza, regional operations manager-Asia Raymond Howe and Tajara Leisure Inc. president Cyndy Tan Jarabata. Best Western International, Inc. claims to be the world’s largest hotel chain, with over 4,000 hotels in nearly 80 countries. The exquisite gathering was graced by your columnist, as well as top BWI and Jayelles executives. Welcome!

Greetings

Happy birthday to our celebrators today, debonair chairman of The Bellevue Hotel Johnny Chan, Sony Lopez Gonzales, Kit Aguado, Alex Libongco and Cris Icban Jr.

Advance birthday greetings to Martin Litton, former Guimaras Gov. Emily Lopez and former Shell president Oscar Reyes, Aug. 4; Frederico “Piki” Lopez and Sen. Richard Gordon, Aug. 5; Consul of Togo Evie Costa and total concert performer Gary Valenciano, Aug. 6; Susan Aguado, Bonjin Bolinao, Smart Communications PR head Mon Isberto and artist-chef Claude Tayag, Aug. 7; Carmi Martin and Gov. Baby Ortiz, Aug. 8; Lui Rufino, Chit Montenegro, Peter Coyuito, Kevin Huang, Barbara Gonzales and Enrique “Pocholo” Romualdez, Aug. 9.

So, how was your week?

Happy wedding anniversary to Let and Annette Aguado and Vincent and Cedie Lopez Vargas, Aug. 9. May you both have many, many more momentous years together.

(For comments or inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com)