The elegant Rizal Ballroom of Makati’s tres popular Shangri-La Hotel was the idyllic setting for the Love 14 Foundation’s Gala Proclamation Ball of Manila’s Five Loveliest 2002.
Bvlgari entranced the invitees by celebrating the individuality and style of each of Manila’s Five Loveliest, palanggas. The five lovelies impressed the crowd not only with their beauty, breeding and well-rounded personalities, but by proving that they can be whoever and whatever they want to be!
Bvlgari’s innovatively designed Lucea pieces have a texture formed by the elaborate intersection of minute geometrical shapes. These make the jewels exceptionally chic and enticingly wearable. Yellow gold is the star of the bold Lucea line. The magnificent jewelry, dahlings, are characterized by small, cascading oval and round-shaped motifs which slightly overlap, and create super eye-catching necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
Radiant, poised and raring to channel their boundless energy to touching the lives of the less fortunate, dahlings, this year’s attractive gang of five include sultry looker Nicole Jacinto; exotic beauty Karina Mantolino; super head turner Gabie Santiago; smart and attractive Cara Dee Sarmiento; and gorgeous Ella Villanueva.
The ladies felt extremely elated about turning over the proceeds of the Proclamation Ball to the Love 14 Scholarship Fund that sends poor but deserving students to college.
A special audio-visual presentation of Bvlgari’s Lucea jewelry, naturellement, plus elaborate production numbers preceded the introduction of the five lovelies.
Nicole Jacinto, palanggas, was introduced as she danced to El Tango de Roxanne with the high-powered Michael Turner and PowerDance. Cara Sarmiento sashayed in the ethnic Muslim-inspired number, Arnis, creatively executed by Ballet Manila. Gabie Santiago took her turn in the spotlight via a sensual modern ballet number featuring the fabi singing voice of Raymond Lauchengco and the PowerDance.
Funky music wafted in the air with the introduction of Karina Mantolino who was accompanied by the Manoevres in the truly upbeat Uprocking Beat. A grand modernist extravaganza accompanied Rosella Villanueva onstage, as Zag Salazar and the PowerDance dramatically performed I Believe I Can Fly with soft veils and swaths of fabrics that evoked the feeling of flying high to reach one’s dreams.
Joining the celebration apres capping a year of community work, palanggas, were Love 14 Foundation officers including hardworking civic-oriented personas of Cosmo Manille’s café society Nini Licaros (chairperson); Irene Martel-Francisco (president); Therese Santos (vice president); Nini Valdez (secretary); Bergamo’s Mel Meer (treasurer); and top PR gent Donnie Ramirez (PRO).
Last year’s Manila’s Five Loveliest (with the exception of Alta Sia Redor who was out of the country) Raya Mananquil; Julia Quisumbing; Keri Lynn Neri; and Ma. Theresa Gozon attested to having had a fulfilling year as Manila’s Loveliest.
Other hot, hot names who sponsored the memorable affair, palanggas, were Emphasis Salon, Rustan’s and Bvlgari Parfum by LuxAsia, plus the top of the line brands (available in Rustan’s) worn by the five beauties: Oleg Cassini, BCBG, Max Azaria and ABS Evening by Allen Schwartz.
Five lovely ladies in one lovely night. What a match, palanggas!
But that didn’t worry the celebrated couple who just happen to be Christians with real hearts of gold. The One above heard their prayer and voila! the rain stopped at the right time. It definitely was a super splashy way to inaugurate a chi-chi salon, dahlings.
Handsome former Leyte Rep. Alfred Romualdez, accompanied by his eye-catching wife with a whistle-bait figure, Cristina Gonzales-R., led the ribbon-snipping, palanggas.
Before one could bat an eyelash, Pin A.’s loyal clients and scintillating showbiz pals made their entrance. Soulful and sultry Jaya breezed in with gorgeous Bing Loyzaga. Both looked so chic and smart with their with-it haircuts courtesy of Pin’s very own magical hands, no less.
Not far behind were beautiful couple, Ariel Rivera and Gelli de Belen who took time out from their busy, busy schedules all for the love of Pin A. and Sonny M.
Another tres visible popular couple were the lady with the four B’s Jackie Dayrit-Boncan and her mega businessman Boom Boncan. Jackie D.B. huddled with Cristina G.R. and whispers came moi way that Jackie was busy giving Cristina tips (not on jewelry, mind you, for Jackie after all is from the clan that owns the prestigious Miladay) but on how to make Cristina’s new resto, Patio Victoria along Victoria Street in Intramuros, even more beautiful. Cristina’s new baby is already making waves, palanggas.
Also seen was Joey Bonifacio, the tres successful Issho Genki (Asia-Pacific) distributor, who Pin said is "also a church pastor," would you believe?
Pastor Ariel Marquez officially blessed Pin’s new playroom.
Clearly enjoying themselves were fun personas like the distributor of top of the line imported salon products, Vicky Lim who looked so slim in a low-cut top and pants. Seen with her were her brand manager Allan de los Reyes and sales and marketing director Chikki Manahan.
Needless to say, beauties Melissa de Leon and Carmi Martin glided in, all eyes were on them.
Chester Co, who supplies all of Pin’s salons with Davines from Italy, tres busily people-watched with Stamford Court GM Christopher Bong who dropped in to congratulate Pin and Sonny and smile over the wonderful turnout of invitees who have become super pals of the tres charmant humble couple.
Naturellement, also seen were the working force behind the salon: stylists and staffers like Normita Molina; Pocholo Rodriguez; hair colorist Aqui; Josie; Pearlie; Rogee; Emerson; Amich and salon manager Ging Manalo.
For the ultimate hair experience, palanggas, check out Salon de Manila at the posh-y Stamford Court along H.P. de la Costa corner L.P. Leviste Streets in Salcedo Village, Makati (tel. nos. 816-7920, 817-6627 or 893-1308), and have a beautiful day.
A week of beauties in every sense of the word. See you, palanggas.