Romantic spa moments in the south

Prior to her grand wedding ceremony in Tagaytay, the stunning Anna Palabyab-Rufino, an accomplished doctor who once was Star’s Face of the Year, was treated to a fabulous bridal spa party by the bridal magazine Wedding Essentials and her friends at The Bellevue Hotel, the events venue of choice south of the metro. Everyone had a superb time as they unwound with relaxing massages and invigorating facials through the gentle hands of the Bellevue Spa’s excellent therapists. This summer, indulge in a lovely time of pampering as you spend a romantic weekend at the luxurious hotel and take pleasure in a soothing massage, a welcome drink at the 20/20 Bar and a taste of the healthy combinations at Café d’Asie. A heightened relaxation experience awaits you only at The Bellevue Hotel.

(For inquiries, call 771-8181.)

An epicurean birthday bash

On the occasion of beguiling Tina Jacinto’s birthday, an epicurean dinner was hosted by Tina’s bubbly hubby Rupert Jacinto, Philip Abadicio and executive chef Danny Vu, the genius behind the famous celebrity restaurant Than Long in San Francisco. Vu prepared a very special dinner menu for this occasion together with Beverly Hills socialite Natasha Morse, at David Lim’s fabulous residence on Narra Avenue. Designer par excellence Jun Jun Ablaza decorated the tables with whimsical figures atop glass blocks. The attire of “Ladies in Gold” and “Men in Black” complemented the dramatic black tablecloths. Among those who attended the gastronomical sit down dinner were the two darlings of Manila society, “Hostess with the Mostest” Mely Hechanova and Consul Mellie Ablaza. May you have many, many more birthdays, Tina!

Having fun just like the old times

It was one memorable holiday with friends as the ageless and ever gracious Minerva Tanseco recently spent time with her school chums for one great weekend bonding at the Assumption Convent. Seen enjoying the beautiful sites and wonderful shops were (in photo, from left) Sonia Recto Lopez, Minerva Tanseco, Meldy Gabriel Merchan, Renita Tongco and Tere Santos Tanchoco.

Redefining fashion with the ‘L’ factor

Putting a modern and hip flair to fashion with her unique style of home-grown innovation, one of the country’s topnotch knitwear designers Lulu Tan-Gan, a.k.a The Knit Queen, sets to conquer a wider clientele and create a global Filipino lifestyle brand with “L Manila,” her latest retail outlet at Greenbelt 5. The outlet offers contemporary Filipino-inspired resort wear fashion. The fabulous store which houses Tan-Gan’s limited editions of knit and piña fashion and exceptional pieces of top designers like Puey Quiñones, Arcy Gayatin, Barge Ramos and Danilo Franco recently launched the “Preview Collection,” the first shoe line of multi-talented artist and TAN-GAN assistant designer Solenn Heusaff. The elegant affair had well-heeled guests embracing L Manila fashion as they caught a first glimpse of Solenn’s stunning Goddess-inspired gladiator-style shoes while enjoying delectable cocktails from Felix, crisp wines from Moet & Hennessy and mouthwatering Belgian chocolates from Chocolate Fire. Congratulations!

Nurturing friendships

It was a sweet promise to get together once a year as the amiable Xenia Belmonte (extreme right) recently invited her good friends Lita and Larry Ilano (left) and Minerva Tanseco (standing) to a delectable Japanese lunch where they reminisced about the good old times and caught up with the stories about the past year. Cheers!