The event was held in the manicured garden of FCCP founding chairman and president, philanthropist and author Chito Madrigal-Collantes’ sprawling residence.
This year, one of the FCCP’s primary objectives is to promote the development of the performing and visual arts. The young and promising artists were featured in line with the FCCP’s objective of hosting the annual Artists and Friends Cocktail Musicals.
Through the Artists and Friends’ invitations-cocktail, the young talents performed before a tres select group of alta sociedad music patrons.
The program began with an invocation by Chloe Romulo-Periquet. FCCP president Thelma Gana gave the welcoming remarks and then introduced the members of the Artists and Friends Cocktail Musicals Committee.
The committee included such civic-oriented socialites as director Fortune Ledesma and chairpersons Annabelle Adriano and Nene Leonor.
The young artists performed many familiar compositions that evening, palanggas, by Frederic Chopin; Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Stephen Adams; Nicanor Abelardo; and Fritz Kreisler.
The interpretations by the fabulous trio of Hannah Lynn, Diomedes and Eric Joseph thrilled members of the special events committee no end, including such namedroppables of the social pages, Tessie Amparo; Pilie Aquino; Celine Bautista; Nenuca Blardony; Nena Casimiro; Tess Castro; Puring Galano; Roi Philips; Millie Reyes; and Southern gent Boysie Villavicencio.
Vivacious Fortune L., FCCP special events director, delivered the closing remarks. She acknowledged and thanked such esteemed social personas and supporters as Chito Madrigal; ultra glamorous Imelda Cojuangco; Meralco; the popular Flower Farm; the ever reliable The Plaza; Ablaza Pawnshop; Bert and Puring Galano; Zeny Dayanghirang; Pagoda Phils., Inc.; Vicky Cadungog; Karen Macasaet; Ayala Corp.; San Miguel Corp.; Ralph’s Wines & Spirits; Louis Maclean Far East, Inc.; Tourist Trade & Travel Corp.’s Belen Ticson Martel; and Yamaha’s Robert Yupangco.
The sponsors were not your usual run of the mill sponsors, dahlings. They consistently help the annual Artists and Friends Cocktail Musicals and once again delighted tons of hotshot personas of the chic-ky diplomatic corps and the Philippine’s gliteratti.
It definitely turned out to be a tres successful evening, palanggas.
First, Cris A. gathered close gal pals and her gorgeous mom, enduring fashion plate Wanda Louwallien, and her sister, theater actress Ana Abad Santos-Bitong.
They were treated to a pre-party pampering at the popular Emphasis Salon at the Rockwell Center. Apres a relaxing, rejuvenating massage, they had a hair and makeup session supervised by Emphasis’ main man Teng Roma. Cris’ makeup was done by beauty wiz Victor who made sure that all enjoyed a night of dinner, drinks and partying.
Seventy well-chosen invitees were tres visible at the popular lifestyle store cum restaurant, Al Estilo del…, also at Rockwell. Famille, pals and colleagues in the business world were led, naturellement, by Cris’ husband and FILA Phils. magnum iSport Life president, well-respected Jose Mari "Butch" Albert and their cutie-pie six-year-old son Carlo who was picture-perfect in his mini-suit jacket and jeans outfit.
Lady of the hour Cris was ravishing in her sequined-evening haltered top by DKNY and black and gold silk pants by Vivienne Tam, no less.
Al Estilo went all-out with a sumptuous menu that Cris chose herself. The tropical flower arrangements were by Maime Santiago. The exotic Caribbean and romantic French music was from the ’40s. The super white cake topped with sugar roses in pink by no less than cake specialist Heny Sison was the dinner party’s centerpiece.
The fun list included Antonio Abad Santos and Judge Abad Santos; Letty Albert; Marissa, Rina and Monique Albert; Boogie Trinidad; Georgette Wacker; Thess and Gregg Yang; the celebrator’s brother-in-law Vince Bitong; Lianne Bautista; Al Estilo’s Anton Barretto and rich working gal, smart and witty Leah Puyat; BJ Albert; man of all seasons Ralph Joseph; Gil Alvarez; Collecciones New York’s one-of-a-kind lady, the brains behind the boutique’s legendary success, Marieliesse Evaristo; heiress and workaholic socialite of today’s new guard, vivacious Marivic Vasquez and her, fiancé, constant escort and best pal, sharp and smart shipping magnate Philip Tuazon; Mr. and Mrs. Cris Chongson with his brother, Stewart, plus others like them who also had a great time, dahlings.
With a celebration like this, our Queen for the Day Cris Albert couldn’t have asked for more.
Cheers, palangga!
Tender Bob’s principals celebrated the happening with a cozy get-together with their familles, pals and die-hard clients.
Greeting the invitees were hardworking partners: mega businessman Bob Tenchavez and his wife, working socialite Betsy Basa-T.; Spanky and Apples Meer; Paquito and Pinky Tanjangco and Toti and Vilma Santos.
The party began with a Thanksgiving Mass participated in by the resto’s staff. It was officiated by Fr. Herb Schneider, S.J. The rest of the night was devoted to touching bases with the restaurant’s loyal personas, palanggas, like Ford Libis franchisee Francisco and Flor Gonzalez; Duty Free Philippines’ young workaholic GM brilliant Michael Kho; business tycoon Eddie Pineda; low-key Joe and attractive Lindy Jalbuena; tres chic couple Nini and Abe Licaros; Dolly and Bobby Galang; beautiful pair Dodot and Mikee Jaworski; Bookstore magnate Fred and his wife tres charmant Precy Ramos; vivaciously adorable, palangga Jackie Dayrit Boncan; twosome Gary Makasiar and Mano Morales; brothers two Noel and Rico Pelaez; and Girl Fontanilla Tan.
"Filipinos remain great steak eaters," observed Toti Santos who has been in the global meat business for decades.
"Steaks have become a regular treat and the yen for tender juicy delicious cuts continue to bring back faithful customers. In fact, the challenge for Tender Bob’s partners is to press forward and find the best sources for these all-time favorites and the US remains the ‘mecca’ for steak lovers," explained an enthusiastic Betsy T. to moi.
While steaks remain the menu’s mainstay, Tender Bob’s has since evolved. It also serves other yummy favorites like their luscious chicken, seafood entrees, mouth-watering desserts and loads of interesting salads.
Tender Bob’s has come a long way from its beginnings as "Meat Plus" in Subic Freeport. Because of the clamor of their Subic clientele to break into the Manila scene, the partners gave in to the requests. Last year they inaugurated their restaurant which has an ambience that can give American franchises a run for their money. Today, Tender Bob’s followers are clamoring for other outlets in other parts of the metro.
You can bet, dahlings, that ITXC Telecom country manager Jake Picache; Eastern Telecom sales manager Mayo Reyes; INNOCOM manager Mabs Quezon, plus other faithful clients like them would only be too happy to see that happen, palangas.
For their successful anniversary treat, the resto is serving the famous "Meat Plus" burgers for merienda. In case you want to do your own cooking or grilling at home, Tender Bob’s also retails delectable uncooked steaks at tres, tres reasonable prices.
Check them out, palanggas, or do call tel. no. 912-3336. All you steak lovers will love it!
As always, palanggas, it was a week of culture, a great birthday and a super resto.
Not bad, huh? See you!