Surprise! Surprise!

When hardworking socialite Fe Rodriguez turned another dazzling year, dahlings, she was hesitant about throwing a party. Being in her countryside retreat Ginger Hill most of the time, she did not have time to plan for one. But when Junie, her super talented artistic son volunteered to take care of all the preparations, Fe readily agreed.

Fe was ecstatic on her big day when she saw the super gorgeous arrangements of exotic flowers throughout her place, executed by the ever reliable Antonio Garcia of Mabolo Flower Shop.

The tandem of indefatigable and vivacious Malou Gamboa and her chef par excellence brother, Jay Gamboa of the popular El Cirkulo prepared the super yummy menu. Among the yummies were the Spanish Chicken Fillet Croquetas (which I love); Jamon Serrano; Kani Salad on Toast Montados ala Montala; Tomato and Mushroom Bruschetta; Hojaldres de Espinacas; savory pastries with spinach, blue cheese and pine nuts; Pincho de Pollo Al Ajillo (Sautéed Spanish Sausages with Caramelized Onions); Salpicao, Grilled Marinated Australian Rib-Eye Cubes; and Conchinillo Asado, (Roasted Suckling Pig with Fig Compote); plus so many other delectable goodies that El Cirkulo does divinely.

The best surprise of all, palanggas, was when Fe saw her famille and friends who had no idea what to expect when they were asked to come. The special invitees included Fe’s siblings, Letty and Tony Bonoan; one of hostesses with the mostest, Nene Leonor and her hubby Jun L.; Bong and Olga Santos; Dr. Elenita Binay; contractor Joey Antonio and his nice wife Gilda A.; Marietta Santos; TV’s glamour babe Ces Drilon; restaurateur Rikki and Beng Dee and Ricco and Tina Ocampo; feminine beauty Carol Sy; super pals Ching Cruz and Agnes Huibonhoa; adorable Nena del Rosario; heavyweight power businessman, Ronnie Salonga; brothers two Susing Pineda and witty Eddie Pineda; Mel Mathay and host Cess Rodriguez; glamour gals Monette Guevarra, popular Old Asia shop’s Panchot Mapa, vivacious Southern lady Lucille Villanueva; stylish and body beautiful Merle Tantoco Pineda and Vilma Valera; attractive Violet de Borja; Consul of Belize, top socialite Helen Ong; and Sen. Loren Legarda.

Leading the hip pack were Pineapple’s secret weapon, that miss with the four B’s Leah Puyat and her talented soulmate, Anton Barretto; Stacy Rodriguez; Cris Bonoan; Mari Escaño; Jarie Garcia; Anton Naguial and Jun Peña.

The fantastic hostess that she is, Fe welcomed her close pals and other invitees in an elegant soft silk-brocade lounging gown. And for that extra touch of style, a strand of pearls pearls with an emerald clasp, adorned her elegant neck.

What was supposed to have been an early get-together which started at 6 p.m. ended up way past the bewitching hour of Cinderella.

Now, that’s what good company, good food and flowing drinks are all about, palanggas.

It’s super!

When you need to go to, say, five different restos to get a taste of five different cuisines, where will you go? Well, your worries are over, dahlings! A new "global" café with a decidedly rich and warm Asian look in the heart of Greenbelt has made cuisine hopping a convenient one destination activity. Already packing in the hungry crowds, Store Super offers select recipes from all over the world. It formally opened a new moon ago with a colorful buffet dinner party that wittily echoed its unique concept.

For the early evening affair, palanggas, the invitees were asked to come in their favorite traditional costumes. The creative rah! rah! team which owns Store Super welcomed the guests – world traveler and gourmet adventurer Carlo Tanseco, who came in a matador attire and Shanghai Tang wearing Reena Francisco.

Naturellement, true to the themed affair, several attendees wore colorful Indian saris, among them working socialite and columnist Leah Puyat, fabi in a modern terno. Most of the others wore Mandarin collars that enhanced the Oriental-inspired interiors. Four separate grooming buffet tables were stationed in different corners of the two-level beautifully interiored resto, each showcasing dishes from two different countries. A special table was exclusively filled with to-die-for yummy desserts which I usually avoid. But that night, I binged on the wow brownies and cheesecakes, all prepared by pastry chef herself, Millet Soberano.

For something different, invitees received a special passport that got stamped in each food station. After partaking of the dishes from each table, each guest received a special CD collection from Store Super was given away by the entrance. It was all in all a night of good cheer, great food and colorful guests.

Located at the ground level of the bustling Greenbelt 3, Store Super has earned a loyal following since it opened. The menu boasts of the basic fish and chips recipe from England, to royal butter chicken from India, to a sumptuous Filetto Al Burro from Italy, plus so many other super yummy culinary country stopovers in between. It’s a veritable list of Carla Tanseco and Reena Francisco’s favorite recipes gathered from their business trips around the world.

Store Super’s two front-lining owners, palanggas, are distinguished names in the design and food business management know-how, palanggas. Carlo is a houseware designer and design consultant for various export firms here and abroad, and is famous for his minimalist home accessories stores, Atmosfera and its predecessor, Store Co., Inc. Reena is one of the brains behind the highly-successful coffee shop chain, Figaro.

It was a celebrity-filled happening, palanggas, and moi enjoyed hopping from one buffet table to another. Lucy Torres-Gomez breezed in late-ish. Others who came were top architect Miguel Pastor; brilliant realtor and magnate Ben Chan; exotic beauty Mary Ann Lumen; businessman Oscar Hilado; Ranjan Isaac; and moi (I arrived, dahlings, the way it must be – on time; Leah Puyat who glided in with Anton Barretto of neighboring Pineapple Boutique; Rajo Laurel; Miguel Villanueva and his date; lady of all seasons, Irene Martel Francisco; the handsome Francisco brothers three, Dr. Randy, Raul and Robert; top model Rissa Mananquil-Samson; brilliant Southern beauty and brains lady, Virgie Prieto; Judith Katigbak; Bacchus’ top man Alex Lichaytoo; Luccia Jacinto; Tony Herbosa; Rick Yupangco; Shu Uemura’s workasonic Tina Tinio and Alvin Ledesma; Santi Picornell; Ana Gonzales; versatile stylist Rachy Cuna; Allison David; articulate woman of books, Girlie Rodis, plus Ayala’s super secret weapons, Rowena Tomeldan and Myrna Fernandez.

Our lady of the week

It all started with the birthday celebration of the heart and soul and moving spirit of popular Lili Jewellery, hardworking beauty and brains Lili Adina, dahlings, for the entire week during a rising moon at its showroom in Atlanta Center, Annapolis, San Juan. The celebration was held in conjunction with Lili Jewellery’s Mega Raffle 2 Promo.

As early as 2 p.m., the 600 consolation prizes of Lili Jewellery Gift Certificates worth – take note! – a cool P5,000, P1,000, P500 and P300 were already being drawn. All clients and invitees were given a chance to draw the winners, supervised by Bulacan DTI representative.

"Lili A.," as she is called by her groupie, looked tres sophisticated during this once-a-year happening. She wore a bright red laced gown adorned with diamonds and ruby, natch! She was with her mother Elena and daughter Alessandra. A Mass was officiated by Fr. Reli dela Cruz of the Santuario de San Jose Parish, Greenhills.

The international buffet table had a salad bar, sumptuous dishes that included roast turkey, lechon and chicken stuffed roasted calf and a dessert table with assorted yummy pastries and goodies. The wines and drinks flowed freely. During dinner, Master Magician Nap Perez regaled guests. Poncy Quirino hosted the program.

Hotshots who wouldn’t miss this shindig, palanggas, were former First Lady Imelda Marcos who drew the grand prize of a Ford Ranger XL 4 x 2; glamorous Ilocos Rep. Imee Marcos; the US Embassy’s First Secretary Richard Pruet; Lexus International director Ken Rasner; Lili’s super pal, Mr. Samuel and company from Israel; TV’s gorgeous persona Cory Quirino; UNIOIL president Ester Magleo and Jorge Hizon; ANWG’s immediate past president, Lolita Escobar Mirpuri, president Genie Kagawa, director Arlie Jacobo Mirpuri, president Genie Kagawa, director Arlie Jacobo and members Lulu Boon and company; Phil. Fed of Business and Professional Women’s president and lady of all seasons who sported a new look, Dr. Nona Ricafort.

Others who came were lawyer Diane Franco; Sun Life of Canada’s VP Raoul Littawa; Redwood branch and unit managers Mary Chan and Christine Lee; Le Charmant’s Eva Sharma; AUB’s Chey Datuin; world-renowned Citibank’s Marivic Pantaleon and her gang; Metrobank’s Erika Torres-Sykat and her hubby Gerard of Jollibee Food Corp.; Persian Carpet’s Massoud Ababafha; and LTA Foundation’s Grupo ng Mga Kababaihan led by Sanito Balilo.

Moi also zoomed in on Imelda Dolendo; Gloria Vargas; Ruby Chua and Susana Tan; Zenaida Martinez and her famille; Jun Escobar; May Gopez; Nani and Robert Adina and their gang; Tiya Leoning and her famille; and the celebrator’s daughter, Alessandra and her super pal, Pamela Vertucio.

Soon apres, a cultural program led by the All Nations Women’s Group (ANWG) celebrated a famous German tradition at the residence of Ambassador Herbert and Micheline Jess of the Federal Republic of Germany.

"It was to promote international fellowship and goodwill by developing among its members an appreciation and understanding of the life and culture of different nationality groups, irrespective of race, religion or political benefits," explained our lady of the week, Lili Adina during her welcome remarks. Once over, palanggas, in the time-honored Christian tradition rooted in Germany since the 9th century, it was time for loads of singing, gift-giving, tasting unique German wines, while munching on home-baked cookies and cakes especially prepared by Micheline Jess herself. Then it was time to give out beautiful gifts for the streetchild officially enrolled at the YMCA of Manille’s social program and to the ANWG scholars whose college education has been supported by their programs. Needless to say, they thanked the super hosts and chairs of the affairs, Lili Adina and Lolit Mirpuri, both ladies with a golden heart, who are forever involved in many charity functions and fund-raising for the less fortunate, palanggas.

It was definitely a grand affair, dahlings, with singing, socializing and endless ballroom dancing.

Catch you around, palanggas.