Find your gift under the Christmas tree

Some of the prominent names in the country — such as the Aldanese, Cruz, Cunanan, De Venecia, Jacinto, Llamas, Villar and Yao families-- — were invited by the luxurious Dusit Thani Manila to provide a Christmas tree creation that best symbolizes their family. The hotel’s Christmas tree project this year featured the theme “Family Tree.” Each original creation is on exhibit at the hotel lobby until Dec. 30.

Dusit Thani is inviting its hotel and dining guests as well as Facebook fans to cast their votes for the best Christmas tree, where cash prizes will be donated to the top three winning entries’ chosen charity. Voting is ongoing until Dec. 25. Check out Dusit Thani Manila’s Facebook Fan Page for updates.

Another highlight of the event was when 150 hotel employees gathered and choreographed the first-ever Flash Mob performance in the history of hospitality in the Philippines.

Indeed, the best gift that can be found under the Christmas tree is a happy, united family!

Smitten for life

It wasn’t exactly love at first sight for businessman Allan Azores Tanchiong, son of Sotero and Flora Tanchiong, and promising young Dr. Margarita Isabel “Mitch” Torres Carlos, daughter of Cote D’Ivoire Consul and former Tourism Secretary Vicente Carlos and wife Tina, when they met that fateful night at the birthday party of Mitch’s sister. But that did not matter as the series of events that unfolded afterwards — including a romantic wedding proposal at the deck of the Empire State building in New York — culminated in an afternoon wedding at Santuario de San Antonio. It was followed by cocktails and a dinner reception at the main lounge of the Manila Polo Club in Forbes Park, Makati. Mitch was radiant in her ivory Mikado silk ensemble by Inno Sotto and the groom looked debonair in his tux. Love does not always happen at first sight. Sometimes it takes a while for us to see the best in the other and realize our transformation whenever we are with this person. And that is what really matters.

Best wishes to the lovely couple!