Hear, hear, the gang’s all here!

I’ve always loved the song That’s What Friends Are For. That’s because I believe that when it comes to moi friends, I will go to the ends of the earth to prove moi loyalty and all those other ‘L’ words I’d rather not mention!

When it comes to moi third eye, in-demand and ace wedding and social photographer, everyone’s palangga Alex Van Hagen, well, sky’s the limit, dahlings! One Friday night a new moon ago, moi surprised Alex with the help of restaurateur par excellence Elbert Cuenca who hosted a special dinner on his birthday at that fabi Greenbelt 2 resto simply called Restaurant 12. The tres intimate groupie of 15 included popular Bukidnon Gov. Joe Zubiri who arrived fashionably on time with his wife, glam Woman of Style Vicky Zubiri who opened some bubbly to get the party started at the cozy upstairs lounge at 12.

Not long after, jeweler Linda Oledan and Southern royal Bibing Montelibano Villanueva breezed in followed by Cecille Reynoso (who is foot loose and fancy free again), all bearing gifts for our favorite photobug.

When the gang was complete, we started on the excellent three-course dinner prepared exclusively by talented UK-based guest chef, Marco Legasto; Atkins dieters Maripi Muscat; Pepper Teehankee; and tall and stylish Patricia Cu-Unjieng who raved about the superb Lamb Carpaccio.

Veggie followers like moi and Spirit of ’67’s good-looking businessman and golfer Johnny Velasquez got our fill of the yummy, yummy, must-to-order- Asian salad. Carbo addicts feasted on Potato and Leek Soup. The main course was a choice between the hefty Lamb Chops with Apple Cider which Freddie Olbes and Irene Martel-Francisco chose; the to-die-for delicately flavored Roasted Salmon which was absolutely moi favorite (top cardiologist, Dr. Randy Francisco agreed with moi on this). For dessert, we enjoyed Creme Caramel and Chocolate Mousse which are earning the reputation of being the best in town, palanggas.

The super, great time continued that night as Restaurant 12 launched "12 after 12," palanggas, organized by Conspiracy, Inc.’s Andy and Angela Gray. 12 is getting to be the place to be every Friday night. Our town’s movers and shakers, "it" dudes and babes swayed to DJ wiz Chip dela Calzada’s repertoire of deep, jazzy house which perfectly complemented 12’s popular, original Stickytini, the night lane pack’s favorite cocktail. The Moet Chandon kept flowing until almost 4 a.m., would you believe? It was such a blast even Philip Cu-Unjieng and Lifestyle Asia editor-in-chief Liza with an "L" Ilarde Cuenca and her hubby, together with loads of the partying set stayed on and on until brightness lit the horizon.

For a change, Alex V. H. had super fun in front of the camera.

Well, that’s what dining and partying at Restaurant 12 is all about, palanggas.

Be part of the hip pack

That wow potent drink Absinth has now found a home, dahlings, at a cozy swinging club and French bistro at the third level of Greenbelt 3.

The supposedly super fun intoxicating drink is the drink to try.

The opening night was absolutely jampacked with luscious babes, handsome hunks and tons of beautiful people. Cosmo Manille’s party people came in full force and so did the expatriate community who made the party a tremendous success.

Tres, tres important personas who did the snipping of the ribbon included no less than the sultry Concert Queen Pops Fernandez; vivacious Tessa Prieto-Valdes; dashing newscaster and former Press Secretary Mike Toledo; our very own Philippine Star EVP Grace Glory Go; and moi, palanggas.

Since Absinth’s stand on the recent Iraq war was "peace," it invited honorable personas to lead the one-of-a-kind opening by releasing a dove. Members of the chi-chi diplomatic pack and loads of invitees cheered while watching the white doves fly away into the night. French Ambassador Renee Veyret; Department of Foreign Affairs’ Raymond Toledo; TV’s classy Ces Drilon of the ABS CBN Business Group; and popular Makati Rep. Teddyboy Locsin led the symbolic gesture.

Absinth owners – all super movers and shakers of the night scene – vibrant Christine San Diego; Paolo Abaya; nice Candy Mendoza; achiever Ralph Joseph of Ralph’s Wines and Spirits; Gemma Estrella; Johnny Francisco; and those vivaciously fun women, Heidi and Elaine Ng, all the invitees drank a shot of the fame Absinth, or Absente, as that gent with endless energy and stamina.

JR Isaac and bartender Leo circulated with the hip set. Men took their shirts off as they danced wildly to the super beat of fantastic DJs who played endlessly. Come to think of it, I am not really sure if the dudes took them off because of the intoxicating Absinth or because of the heat generated by too many beautiful bodies dancing that night.

Our groupie chose a spot at the far end of the club where we could people- watch and have our Absinth without having anyone disturbing us. Moi spotted Shu Uemura’s Tina Tinio; tanned and fresh from Bora Jackie Castillejo; Louie Locsin; Philippine Star’s Mons Tantoco; Philippine Tatler’s Anton San Diego; cutie pie Jeffrey Parent and his pal Pepper Teehankee; Mega Magazine’s Sari Yap; newscaster Eliza Romualdez-Valtos; actresses Pinky Amador, Angelu de Leon, Julia Clarete and Tanya Garcia; popular businessman Raul Manzano; stylish babe and vibrantly adorable, Jenni Epperson; Chalk editor-in-chief Romina Urra; PR, party boy and columnist Tim Yap; Cambodian Ambassador Ek Sereywath; absolutely party hardy Eric Edralin and Miko Valenzuela; Frances Ribano; Raul Perrine; Metro Magazine’s Freida Dario; International School’s Steve Ayling and Steve Dodd; Souk’s Richie Ortega and Zhiraz’s Itong Gonzales; actor Robert Seña; pretty, pretty Cris Ortigas; good-looking entrepreneur Illac Diaz; British Embassy’s DM Goold; basketball player James Walkavist; Robin da Roza; plus so many others like them who had a blast while indulging in their Absinth drink.

Check this drink and place out, dahlings, and be a part of the Absinth pack, palanggas.

Group Art Exhibit

Gallery Red in cooperation with the SM Keppel Land is presenting May Art Festival at the Activity Center of the chi-chi Podium, Ortigas Center. It features, among others, the works of world-class artists Oscar Zalameda who is known for his Tres Marias series and Pahiyas Fiestas. He has painted the portrait of Madame Mitterand of France in the ’90s, among other world dignitaries.

Other top bankable artists include Tam Austria; Jose Joya; J. Sanso; Jose Blanco; Edsel Moscoso; Melencio; R. Balajadia; Norma Belleza; Loreto Racuya; J. Kwong; Vincent Ramos; Mario Parial; Manuel Baldemor; R. Vubla; Tessie Duldulao; Bong Ducat; Abe Lucas; Al Angeles; J Bates; Antonio Ko; William Yu; Camille dela Rosa Eliezer; Lino Acasio; Greg Bolanos; Jay Carlos; Raul Patindol; Quiles; H.R. Ocampo; Egai Fernandez; Edgar Padrigon; Ramon Orlina; Bert Obsuna; R. Cusi; S. Saprid; Tony Mahilum; Jovito Andres; Philip Badon; Lito Barcelona; Fatima Lamarroza; and Joseph Clavita.

Mega lawyer Job Castillo will snip the ribbon at opening night tomorrow, Wednesday, May 21 at 4:30 p.m. The exhibit will run until May 27. Check it out and you’ll fall in love with all those gorgeous paintings, palanggas.

Stay cool. See you.