A fashionable feast

The years-old home, dahlings, of Doña Marina Reyes Antonio, widow of National Artist for Architecture Pablo Antonio, was decked with colorful bougainvillea for the fifth get-together of the Mediterranean Getaway Dining Club (MGDC). The MGDC is a monthly collaboration between varying dining venues and fine food purveyor, Fly Ace Corp., for the benefit of food writers and gourmets.

This fifth get-together’s featured restaurateur was none other than young Francis Veloso of the romantic Garden Room. And what could have been a more appropriate place to hold the affair than at his grandparents’ home? Besides the sumptuous lunch, guests enjoyed the cool summer collection 2002 of Francis’ mom, renowned couturier Malu Veloso.

Welcoming the perfumed set, palanggas, were hosts Evelyn Cochangco and Larry Cochangco of Fly Ace Corp.; GMCI’s Brad Geiser and Amor Maclang; sisters two, children’s book author Vicky Veloso-Barrera; and top couturier (especially for weddings and debuts) Letlet Veloso-Kuehl.

Early fashionistas were gals from Summit Publications like Cosmo’s bright-eyed Myrza Sison and Ianne Sison. Naturellement, food editors and writers came in full food-ie force: Food Magazine editor Norma Chikiamco with Michaela Fenix; Flavor’s Dolly Dy; our palangga Lydia Castillo; and Boysie Villavicencio.

Other hotshot writers and editors who were there included our palangga na dahling, Manila Bulletin’s Ethel Soliven-Timbol and her daughter Bebeth of Metro Magazine; DeeDee Siytangco who received a fondant birthday cake courtesy of Maite and Jayo Gregorio of Cake Concepts; The Manila Time’s Chit Lichauco who looked like a teenager in an apple green and white outfit; Teresa Reyes Tunay of Woman Today; MOD Magazine’s Chay Santiago; Prevention editor Owen Santos with Louie Belmonte. Vivacious Sesy Garcia breezed in late-ish in a bright fuchsia dress summer outfit.

Director Raymond Villanueva kicked off the affair with the casual linen portion of Malu Veloso’s collection modeled by Dandy Gomez; Nenita Zagala; vibrant Tereret Liboro; Elena Carpio; and Vicky Veloso-Barrera. The models walked around the room and then, palanggas, as emcee James Paolelli announced that lunch was to be served, the models invited the perfumed bunch to join them in the dining room where a feast awaited them. There were black olive and seafood pasta; the freshest salad greens; caper baked dapa fillet; mint marinated leg of lamb; herb and mustard chicken; and much more. All were prepared with Fly Ace premium ingredients: Pietro Coricelli olive oils; Federici pastas; Doña Elena anchovies; and Doña Maria Olives.

Vicky Veloso-B. whipped up two desserts using Pietro Coricelli’s lemon flavored extra virgin oil–one a lemony taisan cake, the other, rich carrot cake squares. The other desserts were from a line that Vicky V.-B. made especially for the Garden Room at Powerbooks: pistachio and orange rum cakes; oreo cheesecake; prune cake; chocolate banana cake; and her popular Toblerone cookies. What a grand feast!

Apres everyone had their fill of the buffet, the show proper began, dahlings. Models Ana Juico, Kimberly Delaygon, Charlene Ong, Kata Antonio and Vanessa Madera walked in the chic salon wearing short formals in pastel shades of piña. Then came Dandy Gomez; Lilian Madera; Linabelle Villarica; Tereret Liboro; and Elena Carpio in jewel toned piña long gowns.

Chachi Montaner totally charmed the audience in a pink piña debutante gown with roses on the drop waist that had her proud parents beaming while watching their favorite grown-up "baby."

Malu’s grandchildren, charmers Joshua and Hannah Barrera and Pyper Veloso opened the bridal number, palanggas, wearing sunny yellow flower girl dresses and page boy suits. With them were Misha Fabian and Michelle and Kathleen Juico. Proud grandma Alice Juico watched two generations of Veloso models–her children, Ana and Nenita, and grandchildren Michelle and Kathleen. Next appeared Jenie Manuel in an attractive, tiered piña bridal gown. She carried a bouquet of yellow roses from Carol Villanueva of fine. flowers. Roberto Barrera modeled one of Joey Veloso’s piña barongs.

Invitees, dahlings, described the colorful show as "eye candy"–just right, not too long or short. The clothes were eminently wearable and contemporary, too. Apres the fashion show, cakes and other treats were raffled off. Last but not the least, a quick thank-you speech was given by Francis Veloso to the writers who had to hurry back to their offices. All carried lovely heart-shaped gift packs from Fly Ace loaded with fresh flowers and goodies.

It was an altogether fabi lunch and fashion show hosted by the great team of Malu and Francis Veloso at the stately home of National Artist Pablo Antonio, no less.

Look Ma, no smear!

Hollywood’s screen goddesses came to life for a brief moment, dahlings, at Cosmo Manille’s launch of Max Factor’s new breakthrough in lipstick technology. The event was held at the Next Door Café at The Fort.

Max Factor, the originator of the first "lip look" in the early 20th century, repeats history by introducing its groundbreaking lip product Lipfinity, a two-step lipstick system that boasts of long-lasting color and moisturizing benefits. The nostalgic launch recreated some of the landmark makeup moments worn by big screen icons.

The venue that afternoon, palanggas, was transformed into a sound stage complete with black curtains all over, stage doors, movie star mirrors, and a staircase that brought to mind Norma Desmond descending for her close-up on Sunset Boulevard. Since Max Factor has been known through the years as the makeup artists’ and models’ makeup, the launch was inspired by Hollywood legends like Liza Minelli, Madonna and Jacklyn Smith. There was even a performance of Wilkommen from Cabaret.

In the finale, absolutely gorgeous movie star Assunta de Rossi appeared in an immaculate white gown wearing Max Factor’s "translucent" makeup look highlighted by Lipfinity’s spirited shade. Holding Lipfinity as she stepped down to the expectant media, cameras flashed from everywhere, reminiscent of a red carpet premiere.

Max Factor considers Lipfinity the most exciting development since the creation of lipstick, dahlings. Providing perfect, no-smudge color for an amazing–take note!–eight-hours, a single application of Max Factor Lipfinity in the morning can take you through mid-morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea–in fact almost the whole day. The later you put it on, the longer it lasts through the day with no smudge at all. Not bad, huh?

Lipfinity’s first step is the application of the "paint for lips" with such glorious shades as Passionate; Vivacious; Coy; and Wicked, among others. The second step or the "moisturizing topcoat" ensures that the lips have a fresh, dewy, glossy finish.

Mr. Max Factor (1877-1938), palanggas, is hailed as the father of modern makeup. He is responsible for inventing many key cosmetic products and is still has the inspiration behind today’s beauty trends and innovations.

Here in the Philippines, Max Factor is exclusively distributed by Rustan Marketing Corp. Lipfinity is available in all leading department stores nationwide.

Once on, there’s no kissing it out! Real cool for all you babes and ladies out there.

Gift hunting

It’s a known fact, dahlings, that one of man’s dreams and vanity is the need to be remembered.

One way is to find a gift that conveys this hope. Often, however, choosing the appropriate gift poses a dilemma.

Well, not anymore, dahlings. You can choose from gorgeous sterling silver serving ware; silver plated beauties for entertaining or for your personal use; the tiniest dainty pillbox; or the grandest five-bottle champagne chiller. Wedding gifts? Anniversary or birthday presents? Don’t worry, you’ll find it all at MENTXAKA, the eye-catching new shop of hardworking society lady Ma. Lourdes "Doody" Menchaca Tuason.

Check it out, palanggas, at the ground floor of Unit C 1-A Karribin Plaza, Pasong Tamo Ext. (tel. no. 843-5816).

You can’t go wrong gift hunting at the chic-ky MENTXAKA.

One night only

Don’t forget to check out One Night Only, when Bench gathers 50 stunningly gorgeous babes and handsome dudes at the humongous Araneta Coliseum. As usual, Ben Chan gets toute Manille all bothered and hot over this fantastic event on June 14, tomorrow. Don’t forget, palanggas. Be there! I know, I will.

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A splendid lunch and fashion show of renowned couturier Malou Veloso’s cool summer collection, plus Max Factor’s fabi seven-hour none-smear Lipfinity, and the eye-catching buys at the elegant MENTXAKA, had Cosmo Manille moving around endlessly. Have a super weekend, palanggas, and do drive carefully. See you.