David Koenigswarter makes music for mom Eva Abesamis’ birthday

The elegant social stalwart Eva Abesamis de Koenigswarter celebrated her sapphire birthday twice in lavish fashion, dahlings.

The first celebration was in Hong Kong with a small circle of friends, followed by an equally unforgettable dinner-dance extravaganza at Café Romulo in Manila days later.

“I didn’t plan to do this twice, but my dearest partner Citoy (Cesar Lopez) insisted on a second celebration in Manille,” explained my dahling Eva.

Patty Jalbuena, Nini Pinlac, Dita Godd, Sandie Squillantini

Ever the big heart, “La Baronessa,” as she is fondly called, requested her friends to instead contribute to the music education of her piano protégé RJ Pineda in lieu of gifts.

Take note, palanggas, of this hot spot in Hong Kong: Madame Fu-Grand Café Chinois, a trendy Cantonese restaurant set in an 1850s colonial building. Joining Citoy in offering a toast to his radiant lady love was her son, pilot and talented musician David, son of Eva and Baron Patrick de Koenigswarter, former Senator Serge Osmeña and his wife Bettina of Gourmet Corner, Nick Locsin with his charming wife, the vivacious and successful entrepreneur Lucille Carlos Locsin, Angela Gardner and statuesque Jojo Zabarte.

Renato and Tokie Enriquez, Nick and Lucille Locsin, Enzo Squillantini

To quote her bosom friend Georgie Diaz: “Hermès scarves draped the lamps, Baccarat chandeliers dripping with crystals, a fabulous feast — but best of all, we have the love of loyal friends. Thank you, Citoy and Eva.”

Back in Manille, Café Romulo’s bosses Enzo and Sandie Squillantini prepared an all-out French feast with a strict black and white Coco Chanel theme, which interior designer Ivy Almario executed pretty well.

Italy-based amiga Eddy “Liza” McDonnell, along with theme-party guru Georgie Diaz, enhanced the venue for cocktails, dinner and dance-till-you-drop fun to the beat of the Brat Pack Band. Their poster boy guitarist is none other than the celebrant’s son David. 

Butch Meilly, Georgie Diaz, Citoy Lopez, Eva Abesamis, Norman Jison

Enjoying the party were Minnie Osmeña who jetted in from New York, Manila House’s Bambina Olivarez, world traveler Ramon Bilbao of that iconic restaurant and caterer La Tasca, Marilou Senn and Vivian Yuchengco.

It was a fabulous storybook celebration hosted by the sugar baron for his baronessa, palanggas.