Blessed & grateful

For her birthday, my dear friend and multi-awarded jewelry and bag designer Ann Ong held a thanksgiving party to celebrate friendship and thank her family and friends who have supported her all these years.

Ann’s friends and loved ones were present at the party, where she also presented her bags and jewelry that were part of her recent shows in New York.

Guests were impressed with Ann’s jewelry collection and also fell in love with her bags. Favorites from her “Chic Bags” collection included the ones that featured Osaka girls, koi fish and Frenchies.

Ann Ong (second from left) with her muses (from left) Geewel Fuster, Erica Brenner, Cat Arambulo Antonio, Cathy Ileto and Tara Rustia.

During the party, Ann also introduced her muses Erica Brenner, Geewel Fuster, Tara Rustia, Cathy Ileto and Cat Arambulo Antonio.

The night was indeed a celebration of friendship as most women came wearing accessories all from their Ann Ong collection.

Happy birthday, Ann!

(Visit Ann Ong’s shop located at Shangri-La at the Fort, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.)

A classical & contemporary mash-up

The first chapter of the show highlights Les Sylphides, a romantic, dreamy white ballet that depicts a lone danseur surrounded by his muses.

From the tunes of Frederic Chopin to The Beatles, Ballet Manila showcased an eclectic mix of classical and contemporary ballet as it launched its newest double header Deux at Star Theater in Pasay City, Manila.

Ballet Manila CEO and artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde said, “Deux is ‘two’ in French so audience can expect to see two dancing styles. The first chapter will be the classical ballet style, which is the banner ballet in Deux -— Les Sylphides or also called Chopiniana in Russia. And then the second chapter is The Winding Road, which represents the contemporary style.”

Les Sylphides depicts a lone danseur surrounded by his muses — white-clad sylphs or air spirits, dancing in the moonlight.  This non-narrative set to the tune of Chopin and lyrical choreography by Michel Fokine evokes the illusion of ethereal weightlessness, which characterized the romantic era of ballet where technique is the focal point, especially the intricate pointe work of ballerinas.

The second chapter of the show is filled with contemporary numbers and exhilarating rock-and-roll beats in the world premiere of Martin Lawrance’s The Winding Road set to the legendary music of The Beatles.

Expect exhilarating rock-and-roll beats in the world premiere of The Winding Road set to the music of The Beatles!

During the launch, Macuja-Elizalde introduced each classical and contemporary number, and principal dancers Joan Sia, Rudy de Dios, Romeo Peralta, Elpidio Magat and Gerardo Francisco. 

Catch Deux, on March 9, 6 p.m., and March 10, 3 p.m., at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City.

(For tickets, visit www.bit.ly/balletmaniladeux.)

‘A taste of Argentina’

Chef Sebastian Bercudes.

Sebastian Barcudes, the new chef de cuisine of Makati Shangri-La, Manila’s Sage Bespoke Grill, will be highlighting Argentinian beef for the month of March.

Barcudes, born and raised in Argentina,  graduated with a bachelor’s degree as an international chef from Escuela de Arte Gastronomico. He brings 14 years of culinary experience to Sage Bespoke Grill. He took up the position of chef de cuisine at Fuego Restaurant at Shangri-La, Doha and prior to joining Makati Shangri-La, Manila, he was the chef de cuisine of Mandarin Grill at Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur.

Barcudes’ favorite ingredient is beef because it is a staple in his hometown and he grew up eating beef five days a week.  He believes Urien Loza beef is the best in the world because of how the cattle was fed and raised in a stress-free environment.

Argentinian ribeye. Photos by Pepper Teehankee on a Leica C Digital Camera

Guests can experience premium imported Bolzico beef steaks, meticulously sliced using an Argentine knife and Josper-grilled to perfection at Sage Bespoke Grill’s “A Taste of Argentina” promotion.

I highly recommend the most famous Argentine cut, the ribeye or the slow-cooked-then-grilled oyster blade! The steaks are excellent and very reasonably priced. *

(For inquiries and reservations, call 814-2580 or e-mail to [email protected]/makati.)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)