Love of sport and life

The Wolf of Wall Street may have been too indulgent for Jay Gatsby, but I’m sure you’ll agree, those were different times. A certain indulgence reigned supreme, it was Prohibition era and amid the times, people wanted an escape, to have fun. Gatsby and the Wolf both knew how to throw parties, but Jay Gatsby had that flair for romance, not just conspicuous consumption.

Nostalgia was in the air as vintage cars crisscrossed the Manila Polo Club field, with flapper girls and party dudes in sporty gear frolicking in front of the people, parading their ‘20s frocks. It was back to the Roaring ‘20s this year as the Fila Polo Cup was held last week, their 10th year of bringing decadence back to the sport of kings.

A decade of decadence, I must say: of bringing excitement back to the field, and making the pre- and post-game as exciting as the game itself. That’s the Fila Polo Cup. This year also marks my 10th year of participation, and I so luckily hosted this year’s festivities with new Fila brand ambassador Jess Kienle.

Champagne fountain, full-on decor and floral arrangements at the polo field? It can only mean one thing. Fila royalty Cris Albert was at the helm of the event. It is her love for all things lush and lively that makes her do it. This aside from her obvious adoration for all things sporty and lively, like bringing life-of-the-party-types and adding booze and fireworks into the equation.

Stars and sports

Outside all that jazz is the I-Sport Life Ministries which gives back to the less fortunate, headed by Fila chairman Butch Albert, who spent a lot of time in Tacloban himself as part of his ministry. All proceeds from the sales of the FILA products go to the Yolanda survivors.

Star of the field was Iñigo Zobel, as well as Butch Albert, who played a great game as well. Youngest polo player Tommy Bitong showed great potential as well. Santi Elizalde, Jay de Jesus, Juan Jauretche, Alfie Araneta and Cole Aguirre also struck gold before the sun set.

The awarding was followed by a fashion presentation by Robby Carmona, and the party, which was jump-started by Myra David (“Skarlet” as we know her) and Artstrong mashing up ska-reggae and jazz/R&B in their own inimitable way. “Back to basics, with a Fila twist,” as art star and marketing maiden Ana Abad Santos wisely put it.

Two decades young

Weeks prior to the celebration, husband and wife celebrated their 20th year together as a happily married couple. Prince Albert (no relation to the Alberts, but hey, who knows?) was the venue for the intimate celebration where friends, family, and loved ones gathered to celebrate and give speeches to toast this happy union. 

Butch and Cris Albert embody the ageless splendor, the depth of understanding, and the sense of self and togetherness that 20 years bring to the table. Twenty years in this day and age of fickle minds and restless hearts is no joke. It takes a big amount of patience, hard work, sense of humor and most of all, love, for anything to last.

If you want to find out how to have a long and lasting relationship, look no further. Have a romantic double date with you and your partner, and another couple whose relationship has stood the test of time. You’ll soon realize that, hey, you don’t know it all! So many things in life, about love and friendship I have learned from this one-of-a-kind couple. Thank you, Butch and Cris!

So, to those of you who do know, spread the love and spread it well. We all have so much to learn from each other. Just check out the couples in love (and also some newly singled and happy ones) on this page. Be happy and have a Supreme weekend!

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Countdown to Valentine’s starts now. Tweet me with your best shot at twitter.com/officialTIMYAP.