Popular Thai Amb. Lt. Ravee Hongsaprabhas, Makati Cong. Teddy Locsin and wife Louie, and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay led the unknotting of the Thai silk ribbon to officially open the spa. Assisting were Mandarin GM Helmut Gaisberger, still on Cloud 9 over the hotel’s being named among the Top 25 hotels in Asia by no less than the global Travel & Leisure magazine, the only hotel in the Philippines to make it, and Sportathlon’s MD Anthony Tottman.
Exotic Thai dances caught the attention of hot-shots present, like Tina Colayco, wife of Mandarin Manila chairman Nonoy Colayco, NBC’s Francis and Mary Ann Lumen, Siemens prez Hans Weckerlin, culture chronicler Bambi Harper, society doyenne Marietta Santos.
The eye-popping floral arrangements and decor in the church and reception at the Shang ballroom were done in the Zen concept by Jun-Jun Ablaza and Jonathan Hernandez. Linabelle was radiant in her silk gown with Swarovski crystal beading by Joe Salazar, no less. Henry was dashing in a tux by one of the best! Ascot Chang. Toasts were offered by Victor Lazatin, former classmate of the groom, and Margie Portugal, the bride’s bosom pal who jetted in from the US. The towering cake has 25 favors for couples happily married for 25 years. A commotion occurred when lucky ladies claimed the 25 pieces of jewelry, a diamond angel pin of sterling silver, being given away. The "honeymoon" will have to wait, since Henry and Linabelle are in the midst of expanding their pawnshop business. Their marriage and their successful working partnership has withstood the test of time and they, hopefully, will go for the gold!