Present were the hardworking Philippine Italian Association officers led by their president Chit Montenegro; EVP James Freney; VP Rodolfo Giusto; and treasurer Tillie Pelagallo.
Also present were that eye-catching blonde who is as Italian as can be, the curator of SM Megamall’s Gallery Duemila, Silvana Diaz and her husband, well-known artist Ramon Diaz; Joseph Lo, Alitalia’s popular sales manager; and Mary Ann Bringas, sales manager of Inter-Pacific, GSA of Alitalia. Civic-oriented Nellie Bengzon, formerly active in the Philippine Italian Association, joined the welcome dinner for "old time’s sake." Southern socialite Mita Bantug Rufino, representing the CCP, arrived with her well-respected husband, tycoon Tony Rufino.
The chic affair’s highlight, palanggas, was the acceptance by Italy’s flag carrier Alitalia of the sponsorship of the very first European Tour of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO). The CCP, the Rustan’s Group of Companies and the Philippine Italian Association agreed upon the sponsorship. Alitalia will be the PPO members’ official carrier.
This tour is being organized by musical director and principal conductor, dashing maestro Ruggero Barbieri. It will cover four European countries with Spain as the first stop. The Madrid concert will be held at the prestigious Teatro Monumental and will be broadcast by Spain’s most popular Spanish TV station. The PPO will leave on the second week of this October.
The dinner was superbly prepared by the doyenne of restaurateurs and now book author, Via Mare’s Glenda Barretto.
A champagne toast took place apres desserts. Ambassador Tantoco thanked Señor Vincenzo C. for taking time to visit Manille and accepting the sponsorship. Señor Vincenzo likewise thanked his host for such a warm welcome, the perfect company and the excellent dinner in his honor.
The memorable cocktail at Bvlgari’s 6750 showroom attracted fashion and social hotshots and drew attention for its creative reinterpretation of the hottest luxury goods.
The highlight, palanggas, was a fashion show featuring the fine workmanship of Bvlgari’s fabi B.zero1 jewelry line. Tall reed-thin models showed off understated yet elegant B.zero1 and other gorgeous Bvlgari jewelry combinations.
Bvlgari created a rollicking Studio 54-type ambience from the cuisine to the sounds. The party grew hotter when hunks served as "bouncers" to complete the retro scene (in these days we call them "coolers").
Bvlgari executives who jetted in from Singapore added more class to the event: PR manager-Asia Pacific Asha Langdown; wholesale manager Wong Wei Ling; marketing manager Christopher Lim; and Bvlgari’s gent of substance and means, Mario Katigbak.
The guests included fashionable personas Lizzie Zobel; Anton Huang; Louie Ysmael; Rupert Jacinto; Gov. Joe Zubiri; Mia Nolasco-Cuenca; Miriam Katigbak; Peachy Veneracion; Rico Tantoco; Margie Delgado; Eman Pineda; Criselda Lontok; Freddie Panicucci; Mons Romulo-Tantoco; Rhett Eala; Audie Gemora; Syke and Sessy Garcia; Elbert and Liza Cuenca; Anton San Diego; Nini Licaros; the uncle and nephew team of Raul and Pepper Teehankee; PEOPLE Asia’s Philip Cu-Unjieng; Carlo Orosa; EJ Litton; plus so many others.
The invitees enjoyed Azzurro’s exotic Mediterranean cuisine specially whipped up by chef Philip Goulding. Chivas Regal scotch whisky, B&G Merlot red wine and B&G White Chablis wine overflowed courtesy of Premier Wines. Rustan’s Flower Shop’s Zenas Pineda was created the sensational interiors. Emphasis Salon did the models’ hair styling and makeup. Larrie Quesada did the servers’ colorful Bvlgari Logomania face paintings.
Do check out, palanggas, the latest Bvlgari collections at 6750 Ayala Avenue (main showroom) and the Bvlgari Watch Corners at Silver Vault, Rustan’s in Makati and Mandaluyong City.
They’re definitely only for the rich and famous with taste, palanggas.
Upon entering the hotel, guests beheld three gorgeous dream wedding cars: a classic 1938 Rolls Royce; a sleek 1962 Jaguar; and a vintage 1950 Mercedes Benz. The hotel’s cavernous lobby also featured an awe-inspiring exhibit of bridal gowns including Ramon Valera’s vintage designs (courtesy of interior designer and architect par excellence Anton Mendoza); a 1961 New Yorker; an early ’60s Manila Fashion gown; and the creations of renowned designers Joe Salazar, Auggie Cordero, the mother and daughter team of Malu and Letlet Veloso, fashion maverick Eddie Baddeo, stylishly hip Katrina Goulbourn, fun Joel Bautista, and other couturiers on the move up.
A fave attraction was a marvelous dinner table in rich red and gold (in keeping with the Renaissance theme) adorned with festive roses and fictional dinner guests. A master pianist tickled the keys of a grand piano from morning until evening to set the perfect wedding mood.
To open the special event, the hotel’s well-respected resident manager, Boyd Barker and eye-catching TV hosts Angel Aquino, Tintin Bersola and bride-to-be Love Ongpauco snipped the must ceremonial ribbon.
The by-invitation-only fashion show, palanggas, was the event’s highlight. It was held at the hotel lobby whose grand staircase served as the modeling ramp. During the butler-style cocktails preceding the show, moi spotted the smiling hosts from New World Renaissance Hotel welcoming the avalanche of chic-ky invitees: catering events director Susan Roxas and magnum communications director, cyber-smart Monique Trinidad-Toda.
Moi zoomed in on Lifestyle Asia owner and one of chic-ky Air France’s fave jetsetter-passengers, Sessy Garcia; businessman Sid Goulbourn; talented beauty Frances Lim; top-of-the-line designer Katrina Goulbourn; head turner Emma Lyn Policarpio; the Roxas clan, led by Glory Yang-Roxas whose wedding gown was on exhibit; Jonathan Murillo and Joey Cruz, owners of the soon-to-be-launched Jones Soda; cubist painter Romeo Gutierrez; Maryrose Juico-Romualdez; our palangga, top couturier Randy Ortiz; plus many others.
The fashion show offered mid-priced to high-end bridal wear in keeping with the times. What made it even more tres interesting were real brides who modeled during the show which was beautifully directed by Ali Rich Garcia and George Garsisto. The event was superbly organized by J.P. Montilla.
Leave it to the New World Renaissance Hotel to bring us something new and different in bridal shows, palanggas.
The patio’s captivating Spanish colonial setting was the perfect venue for this prestigious affair.
La Cena de los Amigos was conceptualized by talented Juan Carlos D. when he was Makati Shangri-La’s manager. His amigos initiated a like gathering in Bangkok where it was just as successful.
The gathering brings together the Spanish-speaking community, dignitaries from different nations and Spanish-speaking top executives if big corporations.
Initially with 20 members, it now has 70 and is still growing. It has become one of the most awaited exclusive events. The forthcoming affair will take place in another historical spot which will be announced sooner than soon.
Circulating with glass in hand and chatting in Spanish, naturellement, were such chi-chi Embassy row personas as the Embassy of Brazil’s Charge d’ Affairs Carlos Augusto Carvalho; Office of the American Affairs’ Jerome Castro; the French Embassy’s Cultural Attache Loic Daniel; the Embassy of Mexico’s Attache Lucila Prieto; Juan Goldnick Brandt, Second Secretary, Embassy of Venezuela; Francesco Ottollini, First Secretary and Head of the Consular Section, Embassy of Switzerland; Wilbert Haya Enrique, Second Secretary, Embassy of Peru; Consul Eva Verstraelen, Embassy of Belgium; and Kristopher McCahon, Third Secretary, US Embassy, plus so many others like them too hot to mention.
All the perfect ingredients made the event a huge success — an excellent menu, beautiful decor and a fabi ambience. Trust Señor Juan Carlos D. to give us the best in Latin style.
Rain or shine, the social scene goes on and on and on. Be happy palanggas, or at least try to be. See you!