An event to remember

Jerry Sibal has turned every celebration into an event worth remembering by combining sheer artistry and genuine passion to create the most lavish and elegant affairs. At the launch of his first coffee table book An Event to Remember: Designing Spectacular Special Occasions at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel recently, the New York-based events designer revealed his prowess in coordinating architecture, lighting and audiovisual systems, interior décor, tabletop arrangements and his trademark floral extravaganza to create such glorious masterpieces. The book presents a portfolio of Sibal’s finest work.

Born in 1958 in Manila, Sibal earned his degree in Architecture in 1980 before embarking on a career that has seen him teaching Chinese painting and Chinese and Philippine folk dance in the Philippines. He also traveled overseas as a government-appointed Goodwill Ambassador and moved to New York to work for renowned floral designer Preston Baily before opening his own firm, Design Fusion, with business partner Edwin Josue.

Guests were greeted with towering flowers as they entered the Rizal Ballroom, which had six curtained platforms hiding Sibal’s creations. Glasses of wine and champagne were served as guests enjoyed the buffet. There was also an elaborately-designed dessert table, which literally walked around (a man at the center of the table was rolling around the ballroom with the table as his “skirt”).

Host Ricky Davao welcomed everyone and invited chairpersons architect Willie Coscolluela and Maricris Zobel to the stage for their welcome remarks. Soon, the curtained platforms were unveiled, revealing themed tabletop arrangements inspired by event guests of honor including Ambassador Albert and Gretchen del Rosario, Ambeth Ocampo, Mila Ong-How, Jennie Zamora, Rachy Cuna, Reto Klauser and Glecy Mojares. The two final installations were unveiled by architect Willie and Marion Coscolluela and Maricris and Dedes Zobel.

In partnership with Ayala Malls, Jerry Sibal also exhibited his spectacular floral installations for the public at the Greenbelt 5 Fashion Walk recently.

‘Golf for a cure’

Responding to a call from president of the Manila Golf Ladies Branch Sally Marshall, civic-conscious lady-presidents of Metro Manila golf clubs recently gathered to launch the Golf For A Cure program to raise funds from their respective golf tournaments and donate these to Pink for Life Foundation. This non-government organization currently headed by Irene Martel Francisco advocates early detection and treatment of breast cancer to improve chances of cure and helps subsidize the cost of chemotherapy of over 300 underprivileged women with Stage 1 or Stage 2 breast cancer. The event was also attended by specialists from Stanford University Medical Center.

Marshall explains that Pink for Life Foundation was singled out as the project’s beneficiary because its mission is in synch with that of the Manila Golf Ladies Branch’s — providing free breast cancer treatment for those who cannot afford it. Dr. Diana Cua, leading breast cancer specialist and also a director of the Pink For Life Foundation, has offered her services for this worthy cause.

The tournaments in the various golf clubs within Metro Manila will be open to both men and women, and the agreed “participation fee” of only P1,000 will serve as the participant’s donation to the cause. Each participant will be given a certificate and attractive trophies will be awarded to the winners.

(For more information, please call Remy Romero Salas at 0917-7221212 or 215-3673.)

Schwarzkopf launches Jing Monis Salon

Celebrated hair and makeup stylist Jing Monis has been a style stalwart in the beauty industry for years and has become one of the country’s most in-demand beauty experts. He recently relaunched his Greenbelt 1 salon now called Jing Monis by Propaganda.

Together with Schwarzkopf, Jing’s salon relaunch brought together his beautiful celebrity clientele and also featured the salon’s new muses — Joey Mead, Tweetie de Leon Gonzales, Mandy de la Rama-Santos, Jo Ann Bitagcol, Vicky Herrera, Judy Ann Santos and Sarah Geronimo — whose tresses were all styled using premium, environment-friendly hair products of Essensity by Schwarzkopf.

Topstyle group brand marketing manager Vangie Bumagat says: “The Essensity styling collection promises 100 percent styling performance using the purest organic essences and essential oils. Whether for light natural style, control or firm fixing, the styling line promises hold, shine, volume and texturizing so that hair can be styled in any fashion one feels like.”

Others seen at the event were Juan Sarte III, Marie Lozano, Ome Nuguid, Robbie Carmona and Myrza Sison.

Shop and reach out

It feels like shopping around the world in just a day at the International Bazaar. And the kind of shopping you will do there will give you the opportunity to help others.

The International Bazaar Foundation Inc. (IBF), headed by chairperson Lovely Romulo, in cooperation with the Spouses of the Heads of Missions and the members of the consular corps of the Philippines, will hold the 43rd International Bazaar on Nov. 15, Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the PICC Forum, CCP Complex in Pasay City. Forty members of the diplomatic corps and 112 local participants will take part in the bazaar.

This year’s bazaar called Shop and Reach Out will again benefit charitable institutions. Last year’s recipients included the Philippine Christian Foundation, Philippine General Hospital, Edith Sagip Buhay, Cribs, Virlanie Foundation, Catarman Public Health Center (Dental Clinic), Paaralang Pag-ibig at Pag-asa, Laura Vicuna Foundation, Punlaan School, Community and Family Services International, Gift-A-Teacher and the Our Lady of Peace Mission.

The IBF also announced this year’s raffle prizes will include airline tickets, hotel accommodations, paintings, jewelry, cell phones and gift certificates from restaurants and department stores.

(Entrance tickets are P100 and raffle tickets at P50 are available during the bazaar day. For details and further inquiries, please call 833-1320 and 834-3036 or e-mail [email protected])