Undying love

Someone once told moi, dahlings, that "Forever never starts unless love binds hearts." Well, such was the case when a handsome Cuban computer wiz and a head turner physician exchanged vows to cherish their love for each other, forever, palanggas.

Eye-catching physician Cynthia Yu is the daughter of popular Cosmo Manille couple, Pagoda Philippine president Ernie Yu and civic-oriented Fe Leabres Yu. This UST graduate who is now a diplomate in ophthalmology met bright and handsome Cuban-born and Boston-raised gent Juan Antonio Baños, the son of la simpatica Sandra Haydee Garcia vda. de Baños who was escorted during the wedding by her younger son, Miguel Baños.

The couple first met in October 1997 at the Boston Airport, palanggas, when Cynthia was on her way for a sight-seeing tour of New England. Juan, on the other hand, was had arrived from a vacation and was all set to return to work as an executive of the sales department of Toyota in Watertown, Massachusetts.

Apres being introduced during a chance meeting with a mutual friend at the airport, the couple’s friendship blossomed. Cynthia continued her trip to New York and LA. On weekends when work permitted, Juan made it a point to follow Cynthia to keep the torch burning. Even when Cynthia returned home to the Philippines, Juan kept constantly in touch with her.

And the rest became, as the saying goes, a case of "love conquers all" despite the challenges posed by time and distance apart, palanggas. Their love grew even stronger and soon the love birds walked their happy way to the altar.

Cynthia was very inch a radiant bride in her gorgeous Spanish-Chinese creation fit for the princess that she is to the famille Yu. Her gown was of pure hand-woven silk with a long train of golden silk duponi with ruffles inspired by Spanish-Flamenco dancers. It was beautifully designed by world-class couturier Patis Tesoro, no less, palanggas.

The hotshot principal sponsors included a mix of taipans, a senator and society ladies: Dr. Rodrigo Floro; our palangga, Senator and Dr. Loi Ejercito; Luis Yan; Lucio Tan; lawyers Edgardo Mendoza and Amelia Ablaza; Ng Meng Tan; Nini Licaros looking fantastic in a Pepito Albert gown; Antonio Cabangon-Chua; Geny Tan; Dr. Germogenez Tantoco; and always a fashionable scene catcher, Consul of Monaco, Fortune Ledesma.

The best men, palanggas, were handsome Earnest Dohn Yu and Earnest Vaughn, the maids of honor were Gilda Gomez and Dr. Perla Duran. The best man and matron of honor were Venerando Vicencio and Jennifer Vicencio, respectively. The groomsmen were Dr. Roderick Feliciano and architect Jonathan Matti while the bridesmaids were Dr. Claudia Samonte and Mylene Lim.

Apres the romantic nuptials officiated by Fr. John Andreu, S.D.B., the 700 or so invitees and famille enjoyed an excellent dinner preprared by the chefs at the colossal, super popular Shangri-La Hotel, Makati.

The ballroom was a sight to behold in red with red roses, red candle lamps, red table cloth and red parasols, palanggas, beautifully executed by Robert Blancaflor. The wedding cake was eye-catchingly made by the famous Pastry Bin, the flowers done by 1816.

To Señor y Señora Juan Antonio Baños, all the happiness that life has in store for your undying love.

Cheers, palanggas!

A Manila preview

What happens when six top-of-the-line visual artists of different persuasions unite for a group show? The result: A Confluence of Diverging Views from Six Filipino Artists, dahlings, which featured the recent works of hot, hot names-to-be Hermes Alegre; Fatima Baquiran; Remy Boquiren; Egai Fernandez; Caloy Gabuco; and Jonathan Olazo.

Prior to its grand New York opening and reception at Philippine Center set this Sept. 3, a pre-departure preview was held by the management team of Noli and Agnes Romero of Studio 241 and workasonic PR wonder man and writer Joselito "Toots" Tolentino, no less, who has been co-producing art exhibits in New York over the past years.

The facade of Glorietta’s Artspace was covered by graphic designer Mark Inducil with overrun sheets of the souvenir brochure from floor to ceiling. At 6:30 p.m., palanggas, the hotshot invitees cut the whole paper wall with scissors to the delight of the other guests.

Guests of honor included Dr. Thomas Kral, Cultural Attache of the US Embassy; National Artists Napoleon Abueva and the STAR’s very own Rosalinda Orosa; publisher of Design and Architecture magazine and author of the award-winning coffee-table book, Lamesa, Opat Hermano; world-class industrial designer/architect awardee Joey Yupangco; Her Bench fashion designer Gina Yupangco; a New Yorker in heart, mind and soul and author of art books, Ronnie Alejandro; brilliant JAKA Group of Companies CEO and ravishing beauty Katrina Ponce Enrile; adorable Babot Aspiras-Oreta; super talented fashion designer and mega FDCP president, Randy Ortiz; entrepreneur and producer of concept shows Eric Pe Benito; multitalented artist Rachy Cuna; that gent with a taste for beautiful furniture and antiques, Poppop Cesar Villanueva; author and eternal beauty queen Gemma Cruz Araneta; and moi.

A souvenir brochure photographed by artist Jay Javier includes an article written by noted film critic, writer and professor Gino Dormiendo.

Braving the pouring rains and the horrendous traffic jam to join in the fun were Pinoy-New Yorker Nelson Katigbak; fashion designer Gerry Katigbak; noted artists Malang, Soler and Mona Santos, Gus Albor, Fidel Sarmiento and members of the Art Association of the Philippines; the SIKAT group’s Pol Mesina; gallery owner Ophie Manalac and gorgeous daughter Peaches; popular model Apples Aberin Sadhwani; unsinkable Larrie Silva; talent management expert Arturo Go; landscape architect Joey Umali; businessman Chino de Guzman; stylists Rocky Gimenez and Henri Calayag; chic Inchang Chuidian and Babita Anido; production designer Butch Garcia; world-class fashion director Jackie Aquino; Electromedia’s top man Amar Gambol and his wife Cherry; La Piadina’s Giorgio and Tetta Matera; businesswoman Mina Ortega; events specialist Albert Almendralejo; Wing On Travel workasonic sales manager, nice Jack Garcia; Mario Reyes; Cora Garcia; Loralee Baron; Elaine and Pepe Lim; Tesha Garcia; Annie Mercado; Sean and Rachel Mercado and Aris Bagtas; plus other art lovers like them, palanggas.

Two very interesting floral decor master-crafted by talented artist Doltz Pilar added artistic appeal to the venue. Cristy Aspiras and Miam Balingit of Emerald Headway sent her team to give away complimentary copies of imported magazines to the guests.

For those who missed it in Makati and at Gallery 101 in Quezon Avenue, well, dahlings, jet over to New York, where the grand exhibit will be held this September.

A super fun wedding where East meets West and New Yorkers are bound to meet our renowned gang of artists.

See you!