A fun-filled bash for a lady of style

When lady of taste Kathy de Guzman throws a party, dahlings, it automatically becomes the must-be-invited-to event of the season. So when word got around that the Singapore-based hostess with the mostest was jetting in just to celebrate her 42nd birthday, Cosmo Manille was all abuzz. Her pals had really missed Kathy’s wit, energy, and naturellement, Kathy herself.

The fab fete was held at that hot, new resto simply called 12 at Greenbelt 2. Its cool, clean, minimalist interiors, designed by one of the best around, renowned Ed Calma, no less, served as the perfect venue for the ultra chi-chi crowd who attended the dinner party (and we’re not even talking about their clothes–yet!). As champagne flowed alongside servings of Kathy’s favorite pica-pica, lechon (a combination only our brazen birthday gal can pull off), the A-list invitees trickled in through huge glass doors.

Early namedroppables were Bobby Cuenca; super nice couple Rose-Rose Toda-Delgado and hubby, Franco D.; beautiful couple Iñigo and Maricris Zobel; super fun personas, attractive Doody Menchaca-Tuason and businessman hubby Conkoy T.; el simpatico top honcho of CF sharp Arturo Rocha and his wife, one of the country’s hostesses with the mostest, fashion plate Marissa Olasolo-Rocha; and lovebirds Jacques Dupasquier and feminine beauty Mia Borromeo.

The menu, palanggas, prepared by 12’s talented executive chef Noel Silverio, was chosen by Kathy herself during a food-tasting session held a week before the bash. Some of the beautiful personas who couldn’t stop savoring the appetizers of Pan-Seared Foie Gras with Port Glaze, Kani Salad and Spaghettini with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil were beautiful people like Vickie Zubiri who, in a knock-out chiffon cocktail outfit by Max Azria, turned heads her way; the weekly lunch bunch of mega businessmen Raul Manzano, Cel Yulo, Bing-Bing Gonzales and Bela Vasquez; top couturier Rhett Eala; Baby Serrano-Araneta; Chu-Chu Madrigal-E. and Mandy Eduque; and Liza with an "L" Ilarde-Cuenca who also enjoyed the unusual but tasty Coquille St. Jacques with Sauce Absinthe.

Those who preferred the more filling yummy Grilled Angus Rib-Eye with Sauce Marchande De Vin and Rosemary Potatoes were jetsetters Annie Carmona and sister Marissa Carmona-Chan; witty businessman Al Tengco; Bacolod’s world-traveler Edouard Garcia; Nini and Abe Licaros; and Sen. Serge Osmeña and his super eye-catcher wife, Bettina Lopez-O. They all couldn’t get enough of the Charlotte De Pomme A La Mode, dahlings.

The highlight of the bash came when Kathy de G.’s husband, brilliant banker of Private ING Bing de Guzman, pulled out of his pocket a touching letter and poem written especially for Kathy by the de Guzman children Amanda, 18, and Franco, 14. As Bing read the letter aloud, Kathy was so touched, moi could swear I saw tears in her eyes!

It was the perfect way to cap a most memorable birthday with loyal pals, superb food and a relaxed but real fun atmosphere. To our stylish Woman of Substance, Kathy de Guzman, may more of the best in life come your way.

Cheers, palangga!

Israel: A Culinary Potpourri

The elegant Mandarin Oriental, Manila in cooperation with the Embassy of Israel featured the rich cuisine of Israel at the Captain’s Bar, dahlings, in a promotion dubbed Israel: A Culinary Potpourri. Presented with the support of El Al Israel Airlines; Barkan Wines; Altrix International, Inc.; and the Farm of Galilee, palanggas, the gastronomic promotion featured a delectable, yummy lunch buffet of authentic Israeli fare excellently prepared by guest chefs, Roman Ilazarov and Oded Saadi.

Israel’s rich history is clearly reflected in its delectable combination of aromatic herbs and spices in a cuisine that has its roots in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Mediterranean basin. Given Israel’s geographical location, palanggas, the aromatic flavors that mark Israeli cuisine are the culinary legacies of a population that includes immigrants from neighboring countries in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe.

Food enthusiasts returned for more during the unique culinary experience at the Captain’s Bar, the hotel’s resto and bar famed for its international buffet lunches and nightly live band entertainment.

"Following a successful premiere last year, we are extremely delighted to stage another food festival this year, again with the support of Israeli Ambassador Irit Ben-Abba," said Mandarin Oriental’s well-loved general manager Helmut Gaisberger.

"I am delighted to open today yet another Israeli Food Festival in the Captain’s Bar of the Makati Oriental Hotel," he continued. "The two chefs, Roman Ilazarov and Oded Saadi of the Dan Hotel’s Chain, who have arrived from Israel to orchestrate this challenging culinary experience, will show their talents and share with you their rich experience in cooking."

"The Second Israeli Food Festival complements the lively cultural activity of the Israeli Embassy focusing on Israel which, though geographically small in size, boasts of a rich cultural and artistic heritage," said the brilliant Ambassador Irit-Ben Abba.

Moi went bananas not knowing where to begin since they had six kinds of yummy appetizers which together could have been a meal by themselves, 10 kinds of healthy salads and take note, dahlings, 12 kinds of superb entrees from lamb shoulder to chicken smothered with olives and lemon, vegetables and chicken schnitzel Jewish-style, to five kinds of desserts. Wow!

Now you know why many went back several times during the festival, intent on savoring as much as they could.

From Cosmo Manille the festival moved on to Marriott Hotel in Cebu. Can’t wait for the next one, palanggas!

Here’s to a blessed 2003, dahlings!