A bouquet of compassion

The Zonta Club Manila, an affiliate of Zonta International whose goal is to espouse the causes of women and children, recently honored the tireless lady Nonie Basilio with a Love Bouquet tribute, a traditional way of honoring an outstanding past president who has remained committed to the objectives of the club and Zonta International. The dinner-dance held at the multi-Kalakbay awardee Mandarin Oriental Hotel gathered Nonie’s loving family, colleagues and members of the Manila elite social circle in an evening of revelry and dancing. Nonie Basilio is truly an outstanding figure who has boundless energy when it comes to philanthropic work! Proceeds of the joyous event were given to typhoon victims in Albay and Zonta Manila’s Gawad Kalinga Zontaville housing project.

Congratulations and keep up the noble work, Nonie!

Happy birthday and fond farewells

A surprise double celebration for HSBC CEO Warner Manning organized by his staff was held in his well-appointed residence recently. The birthday and farewell party for the dynamic and energetic executive was highlighted with a choice spread of cheeses, blue marlin, scallops and more, prepared by renowned chef Margarita Fores. Delighting the guests even more were serenades by the Hail Mary Children’s Choir, Lea Salonga and RJ Jacinto who sang many of Warner’s favorite songs. The dapper banker and friend of many of Manila’s businessmen and society icons is excitedly preparing for his new life after HSBC. Manila will definitely miss Warner and Julie!

Common threads, uncommon lives

The lives and works of exemplary Filipinos took the spotlight in the recent book launch of Common Threads, Uncommon Lives: Profiles of TOFIL Awardees 1988-2005, a collection of stories about The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) awardees. Held at the Insular Life Corporate Center Theater and led by Insular Life chairman of the board and CEO Vicente Ayllon, the book launch by Insular Life and JCI Senate Philippines coincided with the awarding of the 2006 TOFIL honorees, including the 2005 TOFIL awardee for medicine, Foundation for Lay Education on Heart Diseases, Inc. (FLEHD) founding president Dr. Adolfo Bellosillo. Copies of the book will be given to public and private high schools and libraries. May your heroic deeds serve as shining examples for the Filipino youth!

A glitzy launch

Dancing lights and a fun-filled party signaled the opening of the newest party hub in the metropolis – Bazzo Asian Bar & Resto. The spacious and cozy bar located at the Blue Wave Commercial Complex, just a stone’s throw away from SM Mall of Asia, opened with flowing wine and platters of pasta, pizza, barbecue, dimsum, a mix of disco, Latin and house music and a long list of VIPs and beautiful party people. Among those spotted having a great time were the indefatigable Sen. Richard Gordon, the hardworking Muebles Italiano president Noel Gonzales and the suave BMW Philippines president Dr. Joerg Breuer.

What a marvelous night of great food and swinging music!