It was an evening of fabulous celebration with a purpose. Philippine Tatler, the country’s top luxury lifestyle magazine, recently celebrated its 17th year, palanggas, at Shangri-La The Fort. The event was attended by more than 470 of Manille’s society figures.
The visionary Irene Martel Francisco, Tatler's brilliant managing director, thanked all the advertisers, readers, partners and friends who are the reasons for the publication’s success.
The Tatler Ball is where a few exemplary individuals are honored. The ball is foremost a fundraiser and the beneficiary this year is MoveEd Foundation Inc., which provides enhanced early education for underserved three- to five-year-old children. As of this writing, a jaw- dropping P9,589,500 was raised through donations and the charity auction. Wow! Bravo, palanggas!
Philippine Tatler managing director Irene Martel Francisco with her husband top cardiologist Dr. Randy Francisco
Francisco acknowledged that the event could not have been made possible without the support of the ball’s main partners such as Mercedes-Benz and Santos Knight Frank, as well as HSBC Premier, Albany Megaworld, Simmons, and Sunseeker Yachts.
Guests enjoyed the five-course dinner created by executive chef Joris Rycken, which was continental with a sophisticated Filipino touch. Beautifully complementing the menu were stunning Carpineto wines from the renowned Bacchus and the free-flowing Nicolas Feuillatte champagne from AWC.
Much-deserved recognition went to seven awardees this year for their unstinting contributions in their respective fields. The 2018 awardees were Rajo Laurel, Most Creative Force; Lucy Torres-Gomez, Most Stylish; Donnie and Crickette Tantoco, Couple of the Year; Margie Moran Floirendo, Patroness of The Arts; and Jewelmer’s Manuel Cojuangco and Jacques Branellec, Diamond Award.
Fila CEO and president Cris Albert, ace photographer Alex Van Hagen, author Maurice Arcache, Carol Garcia
Naturellement, palanggas, my attention with my eagle eye went to the belles of the ball in their gorgeous, exquisite gowns and even more divine finery.
Highlights of the evening were the performance of dazzling American Idol star, the incredible Jessica Sanchez, who brought the chandelier rocking from her fabulous singing style, dahlings; and the surprise auction to bid for a date with heartthrobs Matteo Guidicelli and Derek Ramsay. While the surprise auction lot whet the generous crowd’s appetites to bid, the other exciting auction lots included a classic Jaeger-LeCoultre watch from Lucerne, a contemporary oil-on-canvas piece by Ayka Go, a safari trip for two from Asia to Africa (A2A), and a trip to Paris for two via Cathay Pacific on Business Class packaged with a romantic two-night stay at Château Bagnolet. Now, that’s kind of hard to beat, palanggas. Definitely a night never to be forgotten. I kind of wonder what was up her magical sleeves for Tatler’s 18th anniversary, dahlings.
MoveEd’s Alex Eduque, Jesse Ho Maxwell, Cristalle Belo Pitt, Marielle Santos Po, Isabel Francisco, Simon Tantoco, Bukay Lagman
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For inquiries, check out Shauna Jay Popple Williams shauna@philtatler.com, or call Philippine Tatler 814.0771 local 123 or SMS 0939-917-4260.