Gung-ho on the greens

World-class international sportswear brand, Fila, dahlings, "diversified" for the first time into a sport of a different nature – a horsey nature to be exact – when it held the first-ever Fila Polo Cup at that chic-ky horsey stable, the Manila Polo Club.

Fila’s super power couple, gent of all seasons, Butch Albert and his beautiful and hardworking wife, Cris A., hosted an afternoon of galloping horses; handsome, macho polo players; sumptuous food; overflowing drinks; classy entertainment; and a bevy of beautiful models garbed in Fila’s Spring/Summer 2003 collection.

The well-heeled invitees, palanggas, placed their bets on the high-goal game upon registration which entitled them to win special Fila gifts if their favorite team won. Among the hot spectators were Cita Revilla-Yabut; Maricris Cardenas-Zobel; model Maricar Totengco; gorgeous Wanda Louwallien; man about town Anton Palanca; Bobby Claudio; Rick Yupangco; Monchet Ongsiako; and Jose Luis Villanueva. Each also received cowboy and summer hats to fend off the heat and to stay true to the afternoon’s long hot summer theme.

Eyes couldn’t help following gorgeous Australian models Zack and Roisin; Jed Carlos; Carla Gutierrez; and Illac Diaz.

Jazz artist Lyn Sherman led the national anthem. Pastor Paul Mata delivered the invocation while popular PR gent and columnist Tim Yap hosted the fun and colorful afternoon events. Butch Albert, joined by Manila Polo Club president and former Ambassador to the UK Jesus Tambunting, executed the ceremonial throw-in which signalled the official start of the Fila Polo Cup.

The Blue Team, dahlings, composed of Ace Suzuki; Sonny Borromeo; Jun Juban; and Tonio Veloso, won the low-goal match. The Red Team composed of world-class polo players Bobby Aguirre; Jose Constantino; and Australian guest players Cooch Lynch and Lance Sheperd won the high-goal match against the Fila White Team of Anthony Garcia; Iñigo Zobel; Santi Elizalde; and Vince Bitong. All the winners received traditional polo trophies while all the players received eye-catching, comfy Fila shoes.

One polo follower exclaimed, "The Fila Cup is so different and fun! We should have more matches like this!" Well how could it miss? What with the colorful set-up which Albert’s capable rah! rah! team did at the foyer and the eye-catching wardrobe both on display and those worn by the two ladies of the hour like the pink Fila outfit of Cris A., and her sister, event organizer Ana Bitong’s pink sarong dress.

The colorful event was capped with a fashion show directed by Rem Zamora. It was led by Fila’s beautiful, brainy and personable endorser, the soon-to-wed MTV VJ Donita Rose, no less, palanggas. The mannequins included Butch’s daughter Monique and sultry, vivacious Arielle Santos, both of whom can give any professional model a run for his or her money.

Naturellement, the unique Fila polo match had popular sponsors which included the best liquor and wine shops around town (and even as far as Boracay!) Ralph Joseph’s well-known Ralph’s Wines; smooth Corona Beer; Burlingame; Filam Sports; Dragon Titan, Inc.; and Boac.

Apres the handing of awards witnessed by one of the Philippine Polo’s pioneers, Don Enrique Zobel, whose son Iñigo and grandson Jake played that afternoon, the chi-chi polo match watchers were treated to even more of Lyn Sherman’s talent as well as to yummy roast lamb, excellent wine and the bubbly champagne in quantities truly fit for the sport of kings.

It’s all about sensuality

How can anyone, dahlings, not be seduced by Giorgio Armani’s newest fragrance, Sensi? This super scent evokes every woman’s desire for sensuality, dahlings, with a potent combination of subtlety, femininity, elegance and pleasure.

Giorgio Armani, one of the most influential fashion designers of our time, has created his most luxurious feminine fragrance. With unerring good taste, he reinterpreted the classics and established a new one in Sensi.

That fantastic newly-opened, hard-to-beat Kai restaurant at Greenbelt 2 was well-chosen as the ideal venue for the Sensi launch. The resto boasts of modern ivory and cream minimalist interiors which echo Armani’s own starkly elegant design aesthetic. To engage the tres chic invitees’ sense of taste, an Italian/Asian fusion cocktail was specially created by the superb Nobu-trained chef, Gilbert Pangilinan, no less. Watermelon and ginger-lime sakes and Italian red and white wine complemented food served on skewers and spoons. The concept of East meets West was conceptualized to match the launch of the Sensi ad, a collaborative effort of Armani and renowned Chinese director Zhang Yimou.

Kai is definitely one of the best, if not the best resto in Greenbelt 2’s resto row. Among its specialties are yummy oysters tempura with mustard sauce, to-die-for Lamb Shank; Kobe beef soaked on stone; salad with just the right sprinkle of goat cheese; wow tiramisu; and tofu cheese cake that will blow your socks off.

Sensi (as in "senses" in Italian), palanggas, is a floral Oriental scent that lingers on the skin. It has striking notes of blossoming Capre Jasmine, the tenderness of Barley and the freshness of Caffir Lime. It is rounded off with the cocoon-like feeling of Acacia Farnese. It also has base notes of Benzoin and Palisander Wood, a vanilla-flavored exotic essence.

Check it out, palanggas and discover your sensual side.

A Celebration of Women

The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Philippine Committee and Zonta Foundation Philippines celebrated International Women’s Day at the Manila Polo Club, during a hot summer day, palanggas.

Dubbed A Celebration of Women, it gave recognition to every woman and women’s organization for their struggle to eliminate feminized poverty, gender-based violence and inequality."

The keynote speaker was articulate Maria Ressa, CNN’s first female correspondent and currently Bureau Chief of Asia. She spoke on her experiences as a journalist in a field dominated by men and enabled her to "break the glass ceiling." PDI’s Rina Jimenez David and the STAR’s head turner Domini Torrevillas, both advocates of women’s causes, gave their reactions to Ressa’s speech.

"UNIFEM was born in response to the call of thousands of women for a fund within the UN system to help improve the living standards of women in developing countries and to address their concerns," explained UNIFEM’s top persona, Southern lady Olga Severino Martel. "The UNIFEM Philippine Committee, one of 19 UNIFEM national committees, is the only national committee in a developing country. In 2001, a survey of national committees of UNIFEM showed the Philippines as the fourth highest donor to UNIFEM outranking national committees in highly-developed countries."

The UNIFEM Philippine committee is headed by chair Olga Martel; president Georgitta Puyat; trustees Virma Vergel de Dios; Alma Calleja; Lourdes Quezon; Mabel Abano; Carmen Africa; Elizabeth Enriquez; and Erlinda Panlilio; advisers, former Sen. Leticia Shahani and Erlinda Villanueva. The Zonta Foundation Phils. officers and trustees are chair Erlinda Panlilio; president Herminia Fajardo; Erlinda Pastoral; Erlinda Villanueva; Lourdes Sese; Virma Vergel de Dios; Marinela Velez; Maria Ang; and Erlinda Sunico. Well, now you know, palanggas.

Cool men’s summer fashion

As we feel the intensifying heat this summer, dahlings, it’s time to head to Novecento for the latest in men’s summer fashion. Be dangerously well-dressed everywhere and anywhere you go, palanggas. Whether you’re relaxing at the beach, walking around the city, or just hanging loose, you’ll definitely find everything from light and cool cottons and linens, to denims and khakis at Novecento, palanggas. Novecento’s comfortable attire will put you in a league of your own this summer.

Merle Tiongson and Jon Dona’s Novecento is located at Glorietta 2, Greenbelt 1, Shoppesville, Greenhills and soon, Shangri-La Plaza.

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Wearing Fila’s cool and hip fashion and while spraying on Giorgio Armani’s latest sensual Sensi perfume makes your day perfect, dahlings.

Don’t forget, palanggas, to drive carefully and have a fun weekend. Catch you around!