Celebrating a luxe lifestyle

It was an exceptional evening when Lifestyle Asia held its 26th anniversary gala at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La. VIP guests came in droves to join One Mega Group chairman Jerry Tiu, founder and CEO Sari Yap and Lifestyle Asia editor Anna Sobrepeña in celebrating the milestone of the oldest luxury magazine in the Philippines.  Most noticeable was the presence of the royalty from the land of “Gross National Happiness,” Queen Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck of Bhutan. The party scene was simply breathtaking—from the interiors inspired by the Dzongs or temples of Bhutan, the wines of Moet Hennessy, the Bhutanese-inspired menu, classical music played live by the Manila Symphony Orchestra to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class parked by the hotel driveway for Her Majesty’s use throughout her stay.  Even though it was a formal affair, everyone had lots of fun as much later, after dinner, the ballroom turned into an instant dance floor as Bhutan’s Queen Mother spontaneously joined company presidents, ambassadors and women in their long gowns grooving to the music of Donna Summers.