A 60-karat celebration

Dishing time

Loud, loud whispers blew my way, dahlings, that popular head turner and heiress-turned-politician Jamby Abad Santos Madrigal is all set to exchange "I do’s" with tall, handsome international French businessman Eric Dudoignon Valade.

There had been loads of speculations since last year when moi announced an impending wedding. Some said "it couldn’t happen" while others insisted that "they are not even engaged." Well, eat your words, dahlings, because moi was correct all along, n’est ce pas (as in, di ba la)?

Whispers have it that there will be an announcement sooner than soon (if it hasn’t happened yet!) from Jamby, her famille, and the whole Madrigal clan.

Callers are already burning their wires inquiring about the loving and beautiful couple’s coming wedding but alas, dahlings, all they can get are busy signals.

From the whispers I hear, the grand and tres elegant wedding will take place either in December or January, at the latest. In the meantime, sit back and relax, dahlings, as moi dishes out more on this romantic happening sooner than soon!

* * *

The Luz Gallery, dahlings, Cosmo Manille’s premier art gallery, attracted one of the largest gatherings of true-blue art enthusiasts to world-class Bencab’s solo exhibit, Homage to Sabel.

Featuring 37 acrylic paintings, the exhibit was the artist’s biggest in his 36-year career which began with an exhibition at the Indigo Gallery in 1966.

The solo show reunited Bencab’s gang and faithful admirers, palanggas, who came to celebrate his 60th birthday. Gallery owners Arturo and Tessie Luz, and their workasonic assistant, Annie Sarthou, welcomed Bencab’s followers: mega CNBC anchor Rico Hizon and his tres charmant wife, Melannie who zoomed in from Singapore; world-renowned art collector John Hoffman from Hong Kong; Tina Ferreros from Jakarta; and well-known art dealer Valentine Willie who flew from Kuala Lumpur. Christie’s Singapore representatives Cecilia Ong and Ruoh Ling Keong enthusiastically congratulated Bencab.

Naturellement, Manille’s hotshot art collectors and Bencab’s pals tres visibly admired the paintings: Southern Baron Manolo Lopez; Paulino and Hettie Que; Fernando and Kit Zobel; Baby Fores; top BPI gent Xavier Loinaz; Lor Calma; Jaime Laya; Bencab’s super close pal Josine Elizalde; mega photobug Patrick de Koenigswarter; workasonic Doris Ho; Aurora Silayan-Go; Iñigo Zobel; Galleria Duemila’s Silvana Diaz; Corito Kalaw; Glenn Cuevo; art collector and social worker Vicky Zubiri; mega entrepreneur Choy Cojuangco; gorgeous Samantha Eduque; vibrant Gina Tabuena-Godinez; Maripi Muscat and beau Johnny Velasquez; and civic-oriented Susan Reyes with constant escort, world-class architect Conrad Onglao. Eye-catcher Dee and Enrique Zobel made one of their rare appearances so as not to miss this exhibit of exhibits.

Bencab’s bedraggled woman of indeterminable age, dahlings, is depicted slumped on concrete ground, her hand cupped over her mouth. Round her body is a flowing, cape-like plastic sheet that lends her an air of ravaged nobility. Framed on either side by accordion-like iron gates, she is like a mad queen. Was it sheer poverty and hunger, or some violent emotional trauma that pushed her into madness?

Sabel as an iconic figure appeared in Bencab’s first solo exhibit in 1966. Not content with merely depicting the city’s squatter shanties, Bencab introduced humans into the setting. For over three decades, he portrayed Sabel on a multitude of paper and canvas, his intimacy with her producing a robust body of work. No wonder, palanggas, that even with the passage of time, the tragic Sabel has kept a talismanic attraction for Bencab and art lovers worldwide.

Moi zomed in on world-renowned painters Anita Magsaysay-Ho; Malang; sons Steve Santos and Soler; Pandy Aviado; Phyllis Zaballero; Raul Isidro; and Gus Albor, no less. Also there were sculptors Billy Abueva, Ramon Orlina, Claude Tayag, Joe Mendoza, and Bencab’s schoolmates at the UP College of Fine Arts, Bill Ibañez, Chiqui Ramos and Bing Galla; his pals from his London period, Val and Marice del Rosario; Ding and Francie Pascual; and yoga master Antonio Arando.

From the media came adorable Julius Babao and Tintin Bersola; brilliant Maan Hontiveros; fitness guru Cory Quirino; Gilda Cordero-Fernando; Karina Bolasco; vivacious Bambi Harper; head turner Tina Bonoan; Tatler’s Anton San Diego; and lady of a thousand facets, Thelma San Juan. Bencab’s close photographer-pals, Alex Van Hagen and Wig Tysmans, documented the event. Butch Baluyot, Neal Oshima, Pancho Escaler and film director Butch Perez enjoyed being with their peers.

Gorgeous Joan Bitagcol and Isabel Roces donned clothes by fashion wiz Pepito Albert. Styled by Patrick Rosas, they made heads turn when they sashayed into the gallery as Bencab’s Sabel (in real life a scavenger in Bencab’s old neighborhood of Bambang, Tondo).

The sumptuous cocktails was prepared by one of the artist’s and Josine E.’s favorite caterer, Gaita Fores, the excellent wine provided by Terry’s Selection, with no less than wine authority Juan Carlos de Terry there. Floral creations by Mabolo’s Antonio Garcia added an ethereal touch.

Apres the opening, dahlings, a select groupie of Bencab’s pals trooped to Forbes Park for a surprise sit-down dinner to honor the artist hosted by one of the hosts with the mostest, Josine E. at the sprawling well-manicured garden of her Banaba home.

A long table was elegantly set for the 32 invitees. Again, Antonio’s exquisite floral centerpieces and Margarita’s superb cuisine had everyone raving long apres the champagne toast was over and the birthday candles blown out during the 60-karat celebration for Bencab and his muse, Sabel.

You’ve definitely come a long way from Bambang to Banaba, buddy! Cheers, palangga!

Sailing to glory

Punta Fuego, dahlings, Landco’s posh beach residential enclave in Nasugbu, Batangas, hosted two events for the tony sailing set–the awards nights for the winners of the 21st China Sea Race and the President’s Cup Regatta.

The China Sea Race is an international ocean-racing event co-organized by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and the Manila Yacht Club. One of the world’s great offshore races, its participants cross the South China Sea from Hong Kong to the Philippines, or 600 nautical miles. Held every other year, it finished for the first time in Nasugbu.

On the first night, a huge crowd converged at Punta Fuego’s lower beach clubhouse for the awarding of the winners of the China Sea Race and to welcome the participants of the President’s Cup Regatta. Punta Fuego’s vice chairman Ed Roxas; Boating Committee chairman Santi Elizalde; VP for membership services Virgilio Jordana, GM Jun Araneta; and marketing director Beth Perez went all out to ensure the event’s success. Poncy Quirino, Punta Fuego’s marketing and events consultant, regaled guests with a Polynesian dance revue complete with fire eaters.

Macho sailors gamely swayed their hips to Polynesian music. The Recados band played dance music that sent light-footed sailors and their partners grinding the sand with fancy footsteps. The groupie of ABS-CBN honcho Freddie Garcia’s Balangjai stayed on even apres everyone had turned in.

Spotted were Manila Yacht Club Commodore Ray Ordoveza’s Karakoa crew in sea-colored turquoise shirts.

The shy but highly capable sailors and navy seals of the Philippine Navy joined the Regatta with the navy’s August Pearl skippered by tres charmant Lt. Denn Carlos Espanola.

Hong Kong sail maker Neil Pryde won the China Sea Race’s hotly contested racing division with Hi-Fidelity while John Blay’s Windseeker won the cruising division. Roland Schmitt’s Red Baron won the performance cruising division. Hong Kong garment manufacturer Sam Chan came with his boat Free Fire. Another Hong Kong boat, Frank Pong’s Jelik, was the first to cross the finish line.

Former CNN journalist, Eurasian beauty Janine Graham Barnes walked around with her baby son in the yellow gold shirts. Husband Tom was a crew member of the boat Lady Luck.

The President’s Cup Regatta was a heart-stopping race among three boats in the open racing class: Stella, owned by Fred Kinmoth, emerged overall winner in the open racing class; MYCC commodore Ray Ordoveza’s Karakoa was second; and Neil Pryde’s Hi-Fidelity came in third.

Beginner’s luck, palanggas, worked for neophyte racer Claus Karthe, Nokia GM for Asia-Pacific whose Green Sleeves emerged overall winner in the cruiser class division. Intex Telecom Systems president Ed Limon and Nokia Phils. partner joined the Regatta with his boat Lhayas.

Architect par excellence Bong Recio, the other half of the Recio-Casas architectural tandem and architects of the club facilities of the new Landco Pacific/Roxaco Corp.’s Terrazas de Punta Fuego, also won as crew of Donnie Altura’s Vivaldi. Defending champion in the cruiser racer division, George and Rainbow Haackett of Jo de Ros again clinched the overall top slot with good-looking Mari Imperial as one of the crew.

Andy Soriano’s Maligaya won the Nasugbu to Manila race with a mestizo crew composed of fun Philip Hagedorn; handsome Joe Hagedorn Jr.; Angelo Olondriz; Miguel Picornell; Jojo Soriano; Cons Castañeda; Martin Marty; and Monchu Garcia.

Bobby Banares won one of the races on Lethal Weapon. David McKenna enthusiastically competed on his boat Rapparee II and was seen with lady friend, the slim Elena Arias.

Dyan Castillejos and her Sports Unlimited crew, aided by John Rocha and Juanjo Berenguer-Testa, were all over the place covering the event.

The sailors’ girlfriends, wives and children came in full force to lend their moral support. An international crowd jetted in to meet the boats, causing a severe housing shortage around the Tali and Maya Maya areas with all of Punta Fuego’s casitas booked solid. Among the ladies were glamorous Vicky Soriano with her son Andres IV; Neil Pryde’s Chinese wife, Nina; indefatigable Manila Yacht Club Regatta organizer, Terry Razon; Chemphil treasurer, part-time Karakoa crew and the wife of MYC Commodore Ray Ordoveza, Mayenn O. and sons Raymond and Javi; E-Pay Asia’s Techie German; events coordinator Domino Alfafara; and Kat Abad.

Also having a fun time were Landco AVP Patrick Villano; Issa Borromeo and Richelle Melencio of Business Development; boat manufacturer Boy Tronqued; Ramon Garcia who came in his yacht with buddies Joe Hagedorn Sr., Arturo Pertierra, Bebs Longa and Santi Freixas; busy body Alan Burrell, chairman of the Organizing Committee of the 2002 President’s Cup Regatta; Punta Fuego’s marina consultant Jerry Rollin whose partner, PSC Commissioner Cynthia Carrion supported the Regatta; the Regatta International Jury composed of Thailand’s Admiral Prasart, Hong Kong’s Ronnie McCracken, Australia’s Lister Hughes, and the UK’s Peter Jolly.

Zonta’s recognition day

Nonie Basilio, Area 1 director, District 17, Zonta International, dahlings, hosted a Recognition Day dinner at the Club Filipino for the 12 presidents of the clubs comprising Area 1. Zonta is an international service organization of business executives and professionals. It undertakes noteworthy service projects focused on women and children.

In the Philippines, Area 1’s 12 clubs have their own services: scholarship, medical service, and livelihood projects. Last March, in celebration of International Women’s Day, Area 1 clubs signed an MOA with ABS-CBN’s Bantay Kalikasan to reforest two hectares of the denuded La Mesa Dam reservoir for three years.

Nonie B. gave each president a plaque in appreciation of their achievements in service for the biennium 2000-2002.The presidents in turn presented her with an Orlina glass sculpture for her successful steering of the area to the successful attainment of the vision and goals of Zonta International.