Getting ‘Wicked’ for a cause | Lifestyle.INQ

OCTOBER 27, 2022

MANDARIN CNY lucky friends, Rosan Cruz, Sea Princess, Popsie Gamboa, Jojo Ongsiako, Abigail Ngo, Nix Alanon, Rajo Laurel, Tim Yap, Javi Martinez Pardo, Leah Puyat and Angelette Calero
MANDARIN CNY lucky friends, Rosan Cruz, Sea Princess, Popsie Gamboa, Jojo Ongsiako, Abigail Ngo, Nix Alanon, Rajo Laurel, Tim Yap, Javi Martinez Pardo, Leah Puyat and Angelette Calero

The stars must be aligning in my auspicious direction! It seems I have been continuously blessed with happiness from the start of the Year of the Wooden Horse.

“WICKED” auction winners Bing and Bernhard Tsai, Sea Princess, Kiara Lu, Kerry Tiñga, Jay Laga’aia, Kaye Tiñga, Suzie Mathers, Jemma Rix, the Tsai sisters, Ysa Veluz, Nova Veluz, Miggy Veluz and Steve Danielsen

 

I always begin my Chinese New Year at Mandarin Oriental Manila. The hotel’s annual traditional celebration is always the grandest lunar New Year fête in the country.

 

This is the 18th year of the hotel’s Paai Shan Ceremony, led by the hotel’s resident feng shui expert, renowned international geomancer Joseph Chau.

 

The outdoor festivities included the traditional dragon and lion eye-dotting ceremony, as well as a breathtaking display of fireworks courtesy of Enchanted Kingdom.

“WICKED” fans Rosan Cruz, Kerry Tiñga, Kaye Tiñga, Sea Princess, Malu Gamboa, Nova Veluz, Ysa Veluz, Annika Valdes and Tara Imperial

 

Makati Mayor Junjun Binay and other VIP guests were part of the eye-dotting ceremony. Constant host partner Tim Yap and I did the countdown afterward to commence the fireworks display. This propitious celebration was held in collaboration with UnionPay International, Hennessy, Enchanted Kingdom, Dragonair and Mandarin Oriental Macau.

 

The stylishly adorned Mandarin Ballroom was ready at midnight, with a sumptuous eight-course lauriat dinner by Tin Hau’s master chefs. During the dinner, guests were regaled with elegant entertainment, including an enchanting performance by chanteuse Eva Poon.

 

SEA PRINCESS with the brilliant “Wicked” stars Jay Laga’aia as the Wizard, Steve Danielsen as Fiyero, Jemma Rix as Elphaba and Suzie Mathers as Glinda

To complement my classic Chinese gown by Cebu designer Ronald Enrico, Jewelmer sent me a beautiful gold-and-pearl cuff with matching ring and watch. Jewelmer also sponsored a precious South Sea pearl pendant for the raffle.

 

The grand prize in the evening’s exciting raffle draw was a three-day, two-night stay at Mandarin Oriental Macau, inclusive of round-trip tickets from Dragonair, a fabulous prize won by interior designer Nix Alanon.

 

Matinee with live auction

 

PHILANTHROPIST Rose Marie Arenas and her daughter Rachel with renowned journalist Jullie Yap Daza

The next day, I caught the benefit show of “Wicked The Musical” at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Local and international producers of “Wicked” held an additional matinee performance accompanied by a live auction, with proceeds going to those affected by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”

 

The support began even before the benefit show happened—CCP waived the venue rental for the additional show to further increase the proceeds for the fundraiser; and cast members and crew pledged their salaries for the performance. Thus, 100 percent of ticket sales could be earmarked to a special project for a school in Tacloban.

 

After curtain call, Jay Laga’aia, who plays the Wizard, stepped out and, to the delight of the audience, spoke some encouraging lines in Filipino. Thanking all the donors was Juliette Romualdez, mother of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.

 

CHARISSE Chuidian, society columnist Becky Garcia and Geena Zablan

Bids quickly escalated as the cast joined in on the fun and helped with the auction onstage. Fans and audience members openly gave what they could to support the cause and earned a wonderful prize in the process. The auction proper ended with the winners coming up onstage for a photo with the cast.

 

Three items up for the live auction included afternoon tea with select cast members, won by generous Kaye Tiñga for her daughters. Visa arranged a special and exclusive afternoon teatime for the winner and three friends along with select cast members of “Wicked.” Also, part of the auction lineup was a MAC makeup pack, won by lovely Nova Veluz.

 

The “Wicked” premium items include the “Get Wicked in the West End” package, which includes two round-trip Business Class travel certificates to London from Philippine Airlines; accommodation at The Athenaeum Hotel, one of London’s top five-star hotels; and two tickets to watch “Wicked” at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in the West End.

SEA Princess and Juliette Romualdez

 

Yet another “thrillifying” item is “One Short Day in the Emerald City, The Walk-On Role of a Lifetime.” This item takes the winner through the motions of rehearsals and a costume fitting before finally going up onstage to join the cast in not one, but three scenes in one of the shows. A music sheet signed by Stephen Schwartz, composer and lyricist of “Wicked,” and Glinda’s Training Wand are also up for grabs.

 

Due to overwhelming demand, the season of the Broadway musical phenomenon “Wicked” has been extended to March 9. Producer James Cundall of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions said they are thrilled to add 16 more shows.

 

ONWARDS and Yapwards. Tim Yap and his giant birthday cake pointing upwards, with Cara Manglapus serenading him

The Philippine season of “Wicked” is produced by Marc Platt, David Stone, Universal Pictures, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and John Frost. It is presented by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises, 105.9 Radio High and Concertus Manila. Its presenting sponsors are Smart Infinity and Visa.

 

Other major sponsors are Philippine Airlines, PLDT Telpad, Neurogen-E, CarbTrim, Nescafé Dolce Gusto, Diamond Hotel and OOCL. Makeup is provided by MAC. Tickets are available at TicketWorld.

 

Loud prints

 

CANADIAN Ambassador Neil Reeder and his wife Irene with Mandarin Oriental Manila hotel manager Oliver Kreuzer

From CNY to “Wicked,” Tim and I always celebrate parties dressed to the hilt. This year, Tim’s birthday theme was called Yapwards and he had everyone dress in loud prints.

 

Mye and Norman Cruz of Adworks designed a smashing invitation with a single logo of TY. Party planner Barbie Pardo-Tiangco arranged all the party details at The Gramercy Tower.

 

A breathtaking sunset cocktail reception at the garden lobby of The Gramercy was prepared to start the festivities. London-based mixologist Rod Eslamieh had special signature cocktail drinks at the bar.

 

DESIGNERS Rajo Laurel and Nix Alanon

The main party was at 71 Gramercy, the newest dining and nightlife hotspot that has the highest views of the Makati skyline. Models wearing Leeroy New wearable art installations escorted guests to the highest floor of the building. Golden balloon decor by Trish Panlilio of Papillo and beautiful topiaries by Mia Lozada of Bloomwoods filled the party place.

 

Celebrity chef Carlo Miguel served a six-course degustation with Casa Noble shots for everyone. Peninsula GM Sonja Vodusek, direk Freddie Santos and designer Rajo Laurel shared wonderful stories about the birthday boy.

 

After blowing the candle on his seven-foot-tall cake by Penk Ching of Pastry Bin, Tim had his guests make a wish as the fireworks display illuminated the midnight sky. The 10-minute fireworks show was a gift of Fila’s Cris Albert.

 

Follow @tessavaldes on Twitter or visit www.tessaprietovaldes.com

 

 

 

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