Poetry in motion at the Philippine StarBall

The 3rd Philippine StarBall was another success. Chaired and organized by Michaela “Pinky” Puno with the able support of Council of United Professional Dance Teachers Inc. president Jojo Carino, this year’s StarBall gathered over 500 competitors from 29 different countries. It was sponsored by the Department of Tourism, First Gentleman’s Foundation, PCSO and Pagcor.

The high caliber dancers displayed their skills in the five international style standard dances namely slow waltz, tango, fox trot, Viennese waltz and quick step and the five Latin dances namely rhumba, cha-cha, samba, paso doble and jive.

Pinky opened the event with her Russian dance partner Slava Sergiev and six Filipino back-up dancers in a jazz number choreographed by Taliat Tarsinov.

Top dancers Riccardo Cocchi and partner Yulia Zagoruychengko were again the winners for three straight years in the Latin category. Arunas Bizokas and Katushka Demidova won the top prize in professional Standard category. In the amateur categories, Jurij Batagelj and Jagoda Strukelj of Slovenia won the Latin and in the amateur Standard, Andrea Ghigiarelli and Sara Andracchio of Italy won first place.

Audie Gemora and Charlotte Jorgensen were the TV hosts as the event will be televised on April 11 on ABS-CBN. Ten-time US Latin champion Gary MacDonald was the emcee for the evening’s event held at the Makati Shangri-La Ballroom.

Guerlain’s beauty series

Guerlain, the historical and prestigious French beauty house known as the jeweler of skincare and makeup, hosted a series of beauty workshops to launch its newest makeup collections with Rockwell and Rustan’s. Rockwell’s Glass House was transformed into a luxurious pampering haven for guests. Cupcakes by Sonja provided them with scrumptious sugary treats labeled with the Guerlain logo.

Ladies were treated to relaxing and soothing facials and makeovers by Ara Fernando and Irene Sy-Go.

Guerlain is available at Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La Mall, Robinsons Department Store Ermita and Marionnaud at Mall of Asia.

(Visit www.guerlain.com for personalized makeup, skincare and fragrance consultations.)