You’re just too good to be true, I can’t take my eyes off you.” Pardon the last-song syndrome, but the Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons hit (as sung by the Spirit of ‘67) still echoes in my mind this beautiful Sunday morning, the aftermath of last night’s most unforgettable Tatler Ball.
Why unforgettable? For one, this is the social bible’s seventh mythical year. And of all the Philippine Tatler’s anniversary parties, this seventh installation was the most fun in its seven-year history. “We invited a lot more young people this time,” said Anton San Diego, the tireless editor-in-chief of the glossy mag that features the high life of the global and the local jet set.
It was simpler this year, devoid of the stiffness that has been associated with years past. Sponsored by HSBC and Nokia, scoring an invite is harder than getting an all-access pass to a Rihanna concert after-party. This is, after all, a charity event, meant to raise funds for Tatler’s chosen charities. The crowd was jittery with excitement, oh-so in a social mood, praising each other’s outfits to the hilt. And rightfully so. For months, the “ladies who lunch, cocktail, dinner and do charity” had nothing on their conscious or subconscious minds except what to wear for this once-a-year supreme affair. This after making generous donations to their chosen charity, Synergia, a foundation that gives kids a chance to finish school, provides underprivileged kids with proper text and workbooks, and trains parents and teachers to emphasize how important education is in this day and age. Amid the pomp and pageantry, this is what the ball was all about.
Beyond the charity and onwards to more frivolous matters, I was craning my neck to witness the style parade that was passing in front of me. Manila is one beautiful place, inhabited by oh-so-stylish people, whenever they feel like showing up. And show up they did. And show off they did, if you want to call it that. This was one night where they really could. Despite the stock market crash and the world’s predictions of doom and gloom, any city still has the right to dress up, doll up and play up, if only to escape the harsh realities, even just for one night. Would you rather sulk at home crying over the crash? In times like these, we all need some “juicy.”
Oh, yes, it’s Johnny and Maurice
During the charity auction ably hosted by the legendary (I say that with all respect) Johnny Litton and everyone’s favorite Maurice Arcache, the bidders seemed to be people who weren’t affected by any crisis. Vintage wines, luxury watches and business class trips were up for grabs, and the auctioneers made sure the prices went up, up and away — this was all going to charity, after all.
A Les Miz tribute followed, and while I have the highest respect for our theater artists (the best of the best) — the choice of entertainment, an Alain Boubil-Claude Michel Schonberg musical of yore, seemed so last millennium, it felt like we were in the early ‘90s. Broadway has a dazzling set of new gems, and it would have been more fitting to pay tribute to the new and the now — it’s not as though the audience members were wearing recycled outfits from a decade ago. But that is just my humble opinion. Still, it was very much well-applauded. No one can argue about Filipino talent being world class, and the night was a proud testament to that.
Or maybe they were arguing, in a way. The evening witnessed a tug-of-war between austerity and over-the-top opulence. Lots of black, as expected, but the most head-turning lady in black was newly single Divine Lee in a see-through, peek-a-boo Gucci dress (no less) that was super low-neck, super low-back, and with just the right coverage to conceal the most private of private parts. Normally she’s blinged out, but that night, she was a picture of perfectly seductive sophistication — now that’s what I call a Gucci bang! Speaking of peek-and-chew, Leica Carpo went iconoclastic — knowing full well that everyone was going to be in flowing long gowns, La Carpo went the opposite route and wore an enormous Rajo Laurel foullard top that resembled a giant flower in full bloom, pairing it with a beaded micro-mini that was so micro I could see the product of her daily marathon jaunts. All that was lacking was a row of shirtless male dancers to raise her up like the catch of the day — love it! She was the head (and back) turner of the night. Liza Minnelli much?
Awards austerity and pose-terity
If Leica made heads turn, what more Tessa Prieto-Valdes! She literally turned her head into a centerpiece so high, it could compete with the tables. She wore the opener of the “Rajo Red” show (the one worn by Jasmine Maierhofer), complete with see-through “belle of the ball” skirt. Irene Martel Francisco was a picture of poise, as always in a plum-colored gown by New Yorker.
Tessa’s speech at the annual and most-awaited awards night, hosted by editor-in-chief Anton San Diego with Pops Fernandez (wearing Louis Vuitton) as co-host, was one for the books. Jumping up and down in surprise, she exclaimed upon receiving the Bon Vivant Award, “I’ve always wanted to be the It girl, and then the most stylish, but I can’t compete with Tina (Maristela-Ocampo). And it’s kinda too early for me to be The Most Distinguished or the Charitable Force. So I guess the Bon Vivant is the perfect award for me!” For that award, she took home a Cartier Pasha watch, to add to her abundant collection of Swatch watches. Later on, she even jammed with the Spirit of 67, singing her version of Proud Mary (Rolling on the River) that catapulted her to being a Celebrity Duets champion. Other awardees were Illac Diaz for Most Eligible, Bea Valdes for Most Stylish Lady, Ambassador Isabel Caro-Wilson for Most Distinguished Lady; the Most Eminent Couple were Sec. Alberto and wife Lovely Romulo and the Most Charitable Force was Nedy Tantoco, vibrant in a turquoise Marina Rinaldi.
On the austere side, I saw Tingting Cojuangco wearing a Rajo, Sigalit Djemal wearing a 15-year-old vintage Inno Sotto gown, and Mandy Santos who looked oh-so-sexy in an Inno Sotto white satin gown. Just goes to show that style knows no bounds, and that the rule of thumb at the moment is no rules. Recycling is in fashion.
Margarita Fores was in a black shredded gown, also by Inno. Actually, if I were to list down an Inno Sotto roll call for that night, it would not fit on the page. For the Tatler ball alone, Inno made a record number of 38 gowns that night. Rajo closely trailed with 32 dresses. Okay, that’s enough for the medal count — it’s like China and the United States during the Beijing Olympics. As for the salons, Henri Calayag Salon at the Residences in Greenbelt was fully booked since morning, while in-demand Patrick Rosas and Eric Maningat did a record number of 15 women and they even booked a hotel at the Shang just for their maquillage masterwork. The rest of the makeup artists were busy hopping from one house to another, doing home service for the roughed and powdered set.
‘George Clooney’ was there
Worth mentioning was Fernando Zobel, who made bystanders swoon. I overheard ladies gushing and saying he was the George Clooney of the Philippines. I spotted a lot of yellow belles, foremost of whom was Kit Zobel, in an Inno, of course. Renna Angeles, Jessica Puyat and Jessica Guevarra were also in the same hue. Noteworthy was Doody Tuason who wore a white sequined mini with metallic tights that reminded me of Twiggy — she really marches to her own fashion beat. Tina Pamintuan was in a John Galliano mermaid dress. Sofia Zobel-Elizalde was stunning in a Lesley Mobo. Wendy Puyat wore a cream-colored Patrice Ramos-Diaz, while Celine Lopez was a standout in an architectural masterpiece by Dennis Lustico. That night also marked the return of Tina Tinio, who was in Tina Daniac. She is moving to Tokyo soon for work but that’s still a secret. The Diaz sisters Belle and Ava wore beaded Rhett Ealas, and so did Mabuhay girl Jenni Eperson, in a denim gown also by Eala. Statuesque Jessica Wilson looked like a giantess in a Charina Sarte. Hindy Tantoco wore a dress she designed herself while Kat Tantoco donned a Vera Wang. With a fashion parade like this, who cares about the food?
I vividly remember last year’s ball with Marivic Vazquez in a sexy tuxedo. This year, the fashion maven once again gave glam another meaning in a Jojie Lloren gown, with an emerald green lining inside her cape. It was sheer drama, eliciting gasps on the red carpet. Speaking of emeralds, ageless jeweler Kristine Yang looked smashing wearing an emerald as big as her neck. Now, that is what I call a dazzling statement.
On the dance floor, I carried around the ruffled train of Fely Atienza, who reminded me of Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady. In a Rajo Laurel fully beaded black top and a skirt that spanned the whole dance floor, it was exhilarating to see her dance and have fun, no matter how heavy her dress was. Attagirl! Blame it on the overflowing Moet et Chandon, as everyone was in a total party mood. I was so elated to see Anton and Nina Huang going at it on the dance floor, and so were Fernando and Kit Zobel. Tina Maristela-Ocampo (I can’t even begin to explain how great she looked in her Balenciaga) and Josephine Del Gallego were my dancing partners. While some people made fashion statements, Doris Magsaysay-Ho made the ultimate statement with her new ‘do— it was old world glamour at its best.
The wow factor
Other standouts on the dance floor were Marit Yuchengco who always looks fun and fab no matter what she wears. That night, she was in a Jeannie Goulbourn. Amparito Lhuillier was, of course, in a lacy Monique Lhuillier. Dawn Lagdameo also shone in a Rajo. But the one who took my breath away was Lizzie Zobel, in a metallic gray Inno Sotto. For me that was the definitive look for the night. I can still picture it in my mind’s eye. In one word: Wow! “This is the only time I’m enjoying myself because I am usually backstage during these events,” said A1 fashion director Robby Carmona, the man behind the Josie Natori, Monique Lhuillier and other fashion events that also happened at the Makati Shang. Other gracious guests who came to support were Lifestyle Asia’s Anna Sobrepeña, People Asia’s Joanne Rae Ramirez and Mega’s Carla Sibal. See? In this town, it’s all about harmony.
As for the men, the best dressed for me was Patrick Rosas in a Dior shirt and Miyake pants, McC Cuan in a white Inno tuxedo, Mel Meer in a floral brocade jacket, which is from Bergamo, I assume, and Maurice Arcache in a Nono Palmos tux. Anton was the host with the most, wearing a Hugo Boss tux. He even sang La Bamba, to the enjoyment of the guests, who didn’t want to stop dancing. Hands down, again I say that this was the most fun Philippine Tatler Ball ever.
But after all the fuzz and the razzmatazz, Irene put it best when she said, “Giving back to society, that is what we are all about.”
Now, who said charity and fun can’t mix?