Visual poetry

The day started out gloomy and gray, dahlings, with heavy clouds and intermittent showers threatening to dampen the occasion. But almost as if Mother Nature knew that the event would showcase her beauty and grace, she did a sudden turn-around as twilight came and a cool breeze blew the gloom away.

The popular Mati, Manille’s foremost Greek resto known for its authentic cuisine and great service, dahlings, was a sight to behold with candle-lit tables under the moonlight. Mati’s well-loved owners, dynamic cousins two, that miss with the four B’s, head turner Geni Psinakis and tall, tres charmant Yorgos Psinakis, warmly received Manille’s sophisticated, trendy and hip set.

The brainchild of environmentalist and natural health advocate, Rosanna Escudero, the unique occasion marked a first as it showcased the talents of two personas whose creative genius has put them at the forefront of their fields. Multi-awarded photographer and Technomarine endorser, Gutsy Tuason, and one of Manille’s hottest and admired DJs, Chill Out Project’s Anton Ramos, combined their talents in the show titled Visual Poetry, an environmental odyssey aimed primarily at treating the senses through inspiring images united with a moving soundtrack. The dynamic duo wanted to raise awareness and consciousness about the environment.

The show made possible by the support of Technomarine, palanggas, brought viewers through a moving journey as it illustrated both ends of the environmental spectrum. The opening images of devastation wrought by men on precious coral reefs and marine life were followed by a quote from Albert Einstein: "A human being is part of a whole, called by us the universe, a part limited in time and space."

The spectacular images certainly left the viewers craving for more and wondering if they could get their own copies of the show’s enchanting soundtrack.

The pack of movers and shakers, palanggas, included the Tuason famille: Karen Tuason with Quito Moras; Lexie Tuason; Caloy Tuason; newly-engaged Bettina Hager; visiting from Sydney Joby Drees; and Christopher Tuason with his lady love, L’Oreal’s Celine Gabriel.

Geni P.’s proud and classy parents, old-wealth beautiful couple Presy Lopez and her husband Steve Psinakis, and their attractive son, environmentalist Mike Psinakis were fashionably on time, along with businessman Tony Olbes who breezed by with business pals.

Taking a breather from national obligations were popular eligible bachelor, Trade and Industry Secretary Mar Roxas; mega businessman and chairman of San Miguel Corp., Ramon Ang; young politician and gentleman representing the district of Valenzuela, Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian with good pal, actor Rudolph Yaptinchay.

Beaming with pride and enjoying the show was Gutsy’s lady love, equestrian instructor Becca Dosch and her close pals, top- notch Carolyn Bromley-Ramirez; simpatico Santi Picornell with his constant date, gorgeous model Kimmy Johnson; Ayala Land’s Robert Cruz; Techie German; Bea Jacinto; and talented designer/architect Miguel Rosales who actually contributed to Mati’s design.

Fidel’s charming duo Markus Schmidt and Richard Danao; vivacious Chiqui Mabanta; NBK’s super DJ Manolet Dario with Anna Cruz; House of Love’s lounge DJ Elian Habayeb; prince of Acquario DJ Montano; Greek Honorary Consul, Milton Adamson; Ayala Hotel’s Costas Vafopoulos; good-looking cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Ricky Fernandez; Cyprus Consulates’ Pierre Tounjis with sister Kristen and husband Jason Brindisi; tres popular talent manager and part owner of Famous, Joji Dingcong; forever young, Eileen Choy; and Studio 23’s Southern gent Nico Montinola were seen enjoying the music, palanggas, over cool drinks provided by Arctic Vodka.

Also seen were Franco Limjuco; Mati regulars, Gina Mok; lovely Greek mestiza sisters, Nafsika and Bubbles Drossou with cousin, ace lensman and contractor Victor Consunji; gorgeous hunk Mike Vaca; mega charmer Marco Lobregat; production wiz Tommy Ng; model-turned-pilot Gemith Gemparo; back from Cebu Debbie Enriquez; JJ Berenguer-Testa with Judith Zapanta; Music-First editor Lexi Schultze with Javi Berenguer-Testa; twosome Enrique and Tine Vasquez Prada; brothers Richard and Nick Underwood; classic beauty Bianca Araneta; and exotic mannequin Tina Pamintuan.

Also seen having a blast were Technomarine’s Mia Florencio; yoga and scuba teacher Robert Dario with close pal Christine Feliciano; dive instructor Louie Barrios; Yoga Foundation’s Antonio and Sandy Arando; amazing DJ Mumph Ruiz; statuesque Renee Araneta; Metro mag’s Freida Dario with cousin Vida Dario and soon-to-be birthday girl Lilo Gutierrez; Anton Ramos’ close pals who came in full force, architect Pandy Lichauco, childhood pal Greggy Gutierrez III, Terence Tengco Ponticello’s dasher Vince Santos together with eye-catching babes, Mary Nazareno, Racquel Narciso and Kathy Teves.

This super happening went on like forever, but needless to say, palanggas, Mother Nature had a smile on her face as everyone went home more concerned about the environment.

Party time!

Chic, wild and famous St. Tropez is the world’s most exclusive summer resort, dahlings, where royalty, celebrities, and other hotshots meet during fall, spring, and mostly summer. It recently saw King Carl Gustave and Queen Sylvia of Sweden with their three children; Prince Andrew of Great Britain; the King and Queen of Jordan, among others, on its shores.

Rock star Puff Daddy appeared on the streets with Will Smith. He gave an exclusive concert at the chi-chi Papagayo. At the exclusive three most in places–the VIP Room, the Cave de Byblos and the Papagayo were Queen of Fashion, Donatella Versace and fashion heroes all year round, Dolce and Gabana held court.

The summer season starts on the Easter weekend and ends on the weekend following the 15th of August but picks up again in early fall and late spring. To bid the season "au revoir," make plans for autumn in Paris and London and winter in the Caribbean and Asia.

Nene Lacson, for his part, hosted a dinner for 30 of his summer 2002 St. Tropez gang. The venue was the newly-opened super in and must-go-to place, the Petrossian Restaurant, famous for its excellent caviar and the tres rare and sought-after Petrossian Vodka. The venue is managed by Nene’s closest pal, Xavier Anthony, a frequent Manille visitor. The theme was Indian as the Papagayo was ending its season with a Maharajah Night Party.

The party joined in by the rich and famous went on until 6:30 a.m. apres which a light dejeune was served. The one who sported the best costume won two round-trip tickets to New Delhi.

Champagne and Patourage canapés flowed for aperitif. Dinner was exquisitely prepared by the Petrossian’s world-class chefs. It consisted of smoked salmon and hot potato dill cream salad for starters. Next came the main course of non-stop Petrossian caviar with potatoes, boiled eggs, onions, cream accompanied by Petrossian Vodka and Domained Ott white wine. The treat ended with a light dessert of fresh red summer berries tart and vanilla ice cream. That sweet tooth delight truffle cream chocolates, palanggas, ended the gustatory feast.

Rows of waiting limousines then whisked the chic-ky pack to the Papagayo Club at 2 a.m. where more champagne and Grey Goose Vodka flowed until 5 a.m. A breakfast of croissants, pain au chocolat followed at the Gorille until 6:30.

The exclusive list of dinner invitees, palanggas, included Princess Anne Bourbon Parme II Sicile, her husband Count Mateo de Casteladelli, her gorgeous 17-year-old daughter, Dorothee; Princess Karine Turn und Taxis; Countess Martina of Poland, Annie Maki, Paris property magnate; Orlando, impresario and brother of late singer Dalida; Galia, high priestess of Paris night club scene; Michelle Barbie, St. Tropez property magnate; Philip Pastor, Monte Carlo property magnate; Olivier Meztner, number one French and international lawyer (now defending Noriega, former dictator of Panama); Luigi, St. Tropez’s top DJ and party entertainer; Xavier Anthony, son of France’s favorite crooner, Richard Anthony; and Bastien Desvergnes, the Marquis behind that popular wine, Chateau Lalagune (Bordeaux).

Now that was really partying and rubbing elbows with international high society’s hot, hotshot namedroppables, palanggas.

A Movie Symphony

Wild Vines’ successful series of themed events, aimed at promoting the goodness of wine and its suitability for any kind of lifestyle, came to an end with the finals of Wild Vines’ Movie Symphony, an instrumental music competition.

The event, dahlings, held at the GSIS Theater, gathered seven talented groups. All performed interpretations of memorable movie theme songs. The line-up of the movie songs entered in the competition, palanggas, was a good mix of action, romance, sci-fi and comic tunes.

The event, highlighted by a nostalgic flashback of the movies from which the theme songs came, was superbly hosted by the bubbly team of Chico and Delamar, no less.

The board of judges, palanggas, was composed of singer and violinist Karlyn Bayot; musical director and TESDA testing officer for music, Antonio Aguilar; Makabayang Mang-aawit Herber Bartolome; and Center for Pop Music VP for administration Antonio Cabarrubias (representing Butch Albarasin, president of Center for Pop Music). Their judging was based on music and harmony, interpretation and rendition of song, stage presence and overall impact, natch!

The grand winners were the wacky UST Jazz Chamber with a yabadabadoo of a performance of the Flintstones Movie Theme Song. They took home a cool P25,000 and a trophy. The second prize of P15,000 and a trophy went to DLSU-CSB’s Arok Diwa for their rendition of theme songs based on the movies of Arnold Schwarzenegger, aptly titled Arnold’s Theme. The Don Bosco Rondalla Club placed third with a trophy and a cash prize of P7,500 for their beautiful interpretation of Only Hope/Cry from the movie, A Walk to Remember.

"Wild Vines hopes to come up with more events in the middle of this year, so watch out for them," said Nancy Harel, the top lady of Nancy Harel & Associates, Inc. no less.

If you haven’t tried them yet, palanggas, check out Wild Vines’ wild four smooth new tastes in wines, Blackberry Merlot, Strawberry White Zinfandel, Peach Chardonnay and Raspberry Zinfandel.

When the Psinakises and Nene Lacson invite anyone, dahlings, make it a point to be there! And with summer just around the corner, what better way to cool off than with Wild Vines wines?

Do drive safely and have a great weekend.

See you!