What a year!

Cosmo Manille’s partying pack arrived in full tidal wave force when Dish celebrated its super first birthday on two jumping nights, dahlings. The jam-packed crowd went haywire as 13 top-of-the-line bands let loose ’til way past 3 a.m.

The first night, palanggas, was dedicated to lovers of ’60s and ’70s music. Passage Acoustic began the night followed by the high-spirited Next Level. Jamming with them was Hawaiian-born Jessie Rivera who flew in to share his music with Filipinos.

The spunky Q&A and ever-energetic Rockin’ Revival then brought the party people into a frenzy. One of the more sought-after bands, the Spirit of ’67, brought the house down with popular selections. Apres, Fat Session capped the celebration.

The music continued, palanggas, on the second night as seven bands rocked Dish. Renowned Noel Cabangon crooned spellbinding songs as he serenaded the early dinner crowd. As the night moved on, South Border’s Luke Mijares rendered OPM hits. L.O.C. ’s Jay Cayuca came on next and entranced guests with his magical violin. Side A’s Joey Generoso outdid himself and a showdown of bands continued as fabi Juan Miguel Salvador and one-of-a-kind Marissa Buñag of Rage made a grand entrance. Hyperbeat continued to thrill the party park. Elements played an unforgettable last set that left the audience breathless.

Dish’s first anniversary bash was held not just to thank valued friends and supporters but also to share blessings. Part of the celebrations’ proceeds went to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. "It’s an organization that grants terminally ill children their special wishes," explained the Foundation’s godmother, Gift Gate’s brilliant magnate Virgie Ramos.

Concert King Martin Nievera; alluring Joyce Jimenez; perky Angel Jacob; and eligible bachelor Vince Hizon hosted the program on both days and shared their experiences and testimonies about the foundation to help the guests know more about the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Dish glittered with celebrities on its two big nights, palanggas, with sultry Daisy Reyes; handsome Wendell Ramos; cool Eric Fructuso; dashing DTI Secretary Mar Roxas; classic beauties Vicky Zubiri, Angel Jacob, Susan Reyes, Julia Clarete and Ces Drilon.

Also part of the partying pack were mega restaurateur Rikki Dee; Pepsi Cola president Mickey Yong; Pepsi Cola Phils. senior VP Felix Yu; Ever Gotesco’s Joel Go; and well-respected Noel Oñate and Deo Javellano, Asian Spirit hotshots who couldn’t get enough of the music.

San Miguel Corp.’s Mon Buendia took center stage. Pops del Rosario, sales manager of Plantation Bay and his pals had fun just watching the performers. The Century Park Hotel groupie was led by sales manager Jessie Rivera.

Emil Liwanag and Antonio Jose Pineda of Premier Wine & Spirits danced the night away. So did Sandy Ocampo, Lito Ocampo Cruz and their crew from the E channel which covered the event. Club Panoly Resort’s fun Ellen Armateo and her pals could rocked their cares away with the rock bands.

Dish couldn’t have pulled their fabi bashes off without loyal sponsors Absolut Citron; Absolut Mandarin; Alexis Cabernet Sauvignon; Amisenda Wine; Asian Spirit; Beefeater; Carlos I; Century Park Hotel; Chivas Regal; Club Panoly Resort; Constantino Aguilar Merchandise; Flower Plus; Four Season Passion Fruit Juice; Gato Negro Wine; Gran Vino Rose; Gran Vino Wine; Handford Ice Technology; Joseph Phelps Le Minstral Wine; Jaeger Meister; Jose Cuervo; Johnnie Black; Mango Passion Fruit Juice; Nestea; Nestle Lemonade; Nescafe Cool; Pepsi Cola; Pinot D’ Pinot Wine; Plantation Bay Mactan Cebu; San Mig Light; Shakers Mudslide; Shiseido; Stolska Vodka; Terra Andina; Vodka Cruiser; and Vodka Ice.

Here’s to another great year ahead of serving great meals and providing absolutely fun entertainment at Dish! Cheers, palanggas!

Fraser Place opens with a bang

Fraser Place Forbes Tower Manila, Makati’s newest and most luxurious serviced residence, dahlings, opened in grand fashion marked by innovative touches.

Although it was a hot evening, Fraser Place’s mega GM Carlo Gomez, who just happens to be one of the few Filipinos to reach a formerly expat-only level, was a picture of cool as he welcomed some 600 guests from Manille, Singapore and London.

The lobby’s main entrance, palanggas, was kept hidden by ceiling-to-floor curtains as the hotshots led by popular Singaporean Ambassador Jacky Foo, Sen. Jun Magsaysay and Tourism Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab took their places on the driveway. Sharing the honors were Global Realty Advisors (Singapore) CEO Dr. Josephine Au-Yeong; UCPB chairman Edward Go; Seafrigate director Wellington Soong; Carlo Gomez and his principals from Singapore, Jeffrey Heng of Centrepoint Properties, Ltd. and Choe Peng Sum of Fraser Serviced Residences Pte. Ltd.

Once the guests of honor were in place, the spotlight focused on two towering female models by entrance. They were dressed in what appeared to be silver bustiers. In sync with the music, they slowly turned towards opposite sides, unfurling a wide swath of silver fabric that had the words, "Welcome to Fraser Place." The hot names cut the swath to officially open Fraser Place amidst a shower of confetti.

Suddenly, just about everywhere flitted–yes, dahlings!–butterflies, to the absolute delight of everyone there. Drums and gongs announced the entrance of the Mei Cheng Shaolin dancers, a touch which acknowledged Fraser Place’s Singaporean roots. The Philippine side was represented by the Pinikpikan Ensemble.

Apres, guests trooped to the 31st floor Sky Lounge where a string ensemble played under the skies and a harpist played in the lounge.

The Aquabelle dancers were a symphony of grace and harmony at the softly-lit pool.

Fraser Place’s sales team led by sales and marketing director, Lizanne Tan busily showed off their model suites to prospective buyers eager to see them. Dynamic Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay came to show his full support for the latest addition to Makati’s prestigious addresses. Super nice Housing Secretary Mike Defensor also lent his support to the new Fil-Singapore venture.

Also seen were Century Properties’ magnum property developer Joey Antonio; world-class fashion designer Lulu Tan Gan and one of the best security specialists, Josef Gueta; sultry Rosanna Peña with Elena Arias and brother Ed Bouffard; cable wiz Paco Magsaysay; banker Ramon Sy and his daughter, talented architect Ana; architects Bong Recio and Jun Palafox; Bvlgari’s Mario Katigbak; Singapore Airlines’ workasonic Rita Dy; UCPB’s Andy Alcid and Christine Carandang; the Singapore Embassy’s Robin Chua; well-liked gent Paul Koh; an icon in her own right, Gemma Suzara; advertising man Dodie Diaz; vivacious Carmita Francisco; Singaporean journalist and long-time Manille resident, Abby Tan; and Carlo G.’s industry pals, the Mandarin’s Charisse Chuidian, Salva Catacutan and Arlyn Asuncion; singer/photographer Raymond Lauchengco; actor Gus Aldeguer; Love Garden’s head turner Nina Romualdez Halley and hubby Simon; Chichi and ADB executive Patrick Lizot; plus Fraser Place Manila’s other corporate clients.

Fraser’s hotshot team, dahlings, came in full force from Singapore, Seoul and London led by Bhupesh Yadav, regional operations director; Joanne Ang, regional sales and marketing director; Eunice Yap, marketing consultant; Jeffrey Wong, GM of Fraser Place Singapore; Lieu Kui Fah, GM of the newly opened Fraser Suites Seoul; Guus Bakker, executive director of London’s four Fraser properties; and other Fraser Singapore staff who were part of the pre-opening team.

Visibly impressed were four Singaporean journalists flown in by Fraser for the opening: Singapore Press Holdings’ Solomon Lim; Grace Tay of TODAY; The Edge’s Serene Goh; and Frequent Traveller’s Lianna Garcellano.

As the night wrapped up, heavy rain and thunder echoed from the Zen sitting room, reminding us of a Filipino belief that rain is a sign of good fortune.

An impressive fireworks display from the 41st floor of the opposite tower had all heads looking to the heavens, dahlings. What a dramatic ending!

Northwest launches Biz Perks

Did you know, dahlings, that small- and mid-sized businesses in the Philippines can avail of travel upgrades and other fantastic rewards?

Half a full moon ago, one of America’s fave airlines, Northwest Airlines, launched Biz Perks, a corporate rewards and incentive program for small- and medium-sized local businesses.

Explained to moi by NW’s PR wiz Tani Aragon Lloren, "The program rewards companies for booking travel on Northwest and their alliance partners through their travel agencies or with Northwest."

Northwest launched Biz Perks with a fun cocktail reception at the always consistent Le Souffle branch at the top of the Citi, dahlings.

"Biz Perks will help Philippines-based firms manage their travel budget and reward them for flying Northwest," said Laurie Lofgren, former Northwest-Philippines GM. "Businesses are looking for an airline that offers features tailored to the specific travel needs of their employees, as well as to help them effectively manage their corporate travel resources."

The South’s pride and joy, La Diva Kuh Ledesma’s captivated the guests with ballads and other catchy numbers. Apres, charmer Ray Nishihira, the newly appointed NWA mega GM for the Philippines, and Northwest Airlines-ITI’s fave GM, beauty and brains Gina Campos and Laurie L. raffled off World Business Class tickets to lucky invitees.

Busily entertaining the invitees were NWA HRD/legal manager Jojo Veneracion; NWA marketing manager Adin Gonzales; NW-ITI sales and marketing director Mark Abastillas; and NW-ITI corporate accounts supervisor Lullubelle Castaneda.

If you still don’t know, dahlings, Northwest is the world’s fourth largest airline with hubs in Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo and Amsterdam and over 1,700 daily departures. With its travel partners, Northwest serves nearly 750 cities in almost 120 countries in six continents.

There is nothing like partying at Dish before leaving for abroad via Northwest Airlines.

Stay cool. See you.