Marking its continued growth and quest for excellence, the Mary Mediatrix Medical Center celebrated the 55th anniversary of its founding as a modest clinic in Lipa, Batangas, recently.
The milestone was held in glittering ceremonies at the Makati Shangri-La grand ballroom, dahlings.
The guests, which included some of the most prominent personalities in the healthcare industry, were welcomed by Mediatrix’s chair of the board Dr. Homobono Calleja, president and CEO Dr. Robert Magsino, and senior vice president Dr. Jaime Songco, the charmant who can help cure ailments with his positive advice and smile.
Entertainment was provided by seasoned performer and southern gentleman Jose Mari Chan, the sexy John Lesaca, and heartthrob Matteo Guidicelli, followed by ballet stars Ea Torrado and Erick Dizon, the UP Manila Chorale and The Company. ABS-CBN’s Atom Araullo hosted the program, palangga.
Highlight of the night was the conferment of achievement awards to Mediatrix’s outstanding physicians and personnel. A lifetime achievement award was given to adorable y simpatica
Lillian Magsino, widow of the hospital’s founder, Dr. Vicente Magsino Sr., no less.
While socializing, moi asked Dr. Jaime Songco, “Are there any guests here with prostate problems?” He laughed as he answered, “Yes, there are many here, most of them totally cured.”
Here’s a toast to Mary Mediatrix Medical Center’s proud history. And God bless its wonderful, life-saving doctors!
Princess of the day
I had to cancel all my other appointments recently for something special. The well-loved Singapore-based aesthetic doctor Z Teo and his wife, dermatologist Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo, hosted a celebration at the Tivoli Grill of Mandarin Hotel, dahlings, for the baptism of their only daughter, Kelicia Trista.
The restaurant was turned into a dazzling garden by events stylist Barbie Pardo Tiangco.
The menu had excellent choices—lamb, lechon, roast beef, prawns, leg of ham, oysters and lots more, palangga.
The dessert table was laden with enough sweets to shoot up one’s cholesterol level, but nobody got worried, with two doctors in the house. So, guests had a great time eating, dahlings, while sipping an endless flow of pink champagne with cakes and chocolates.
Guests who made the party more enjoyable included Aivee’s aunt Sen. Cynthia Villar, Millet Mananquil, Ben Chan, Lucy Torres, Mons Romulo, Korina Sanchez, Joanne Ramirez, Anton San Diego, Karen Davila, Tonyboy Cojuangco and Gretchen Barretto.
Dr. Z’s parents flew in from Singapore to join Aivee’s parents, Las Piñas Mayor Vergel “Nene” Aguilar and his wife Imelda.
Some of the guests jammed with the band, singing love songs, dahlings. But the standout singer was tall, handsome TV personality Martin Andanar, husband of Aivee’s sister Alelee. Martin had the other gals swooning, but he only had eyes for his wife.
More than 100 guests brought home Kelicia’s giveaway boxes filled with chocolates, candies, cookies, pink champagne and teddy bears—all wrapped in pastel pink boxes to remember the princess of the day.
New chef
The hotel chain Dusit Thani has become world-renowned for its excellent service. In our town, Dusit Thani Manila’s Tosca Italian Restaurant welcomed its new chef, Maurizio Gibillini, with a divine dinner bash.
A short program was hosted by Leah Navarro as chef Maurizio was introduced to the guests by Dusit Thani Manila general manager Alex Willats, no less.
Born in Milan, Italy, Maurizio exudes the aura of a passionate chef and businessman, stemming from his extensive experience in the culinary arts and management of Italian restaurants worldwide, said Willats before dinner was served.
Guests were also treated to classic opera songs performed by Maricris Joaquin from the UP College of Music and Jo-B Sebastian, a New York-based artist.
Noticeable was Tosca’s livelier ambiance enhanced by paintings from Hiraya Gallery and an exhibit of mother-of-pearl shells designed by Hans Brumann.
Tosca Italian Restaurant at the mezzanine level of Dusit Thani Manila is open 12 noon-2:30 p.m. for lunch, and 6-9 p.m. for dinner, Monday to Saturday.
