Power couple Cris and Butch Albert, Fila Philippines president/CEO and chair, respectively, celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary at their favorite dining place and namesake, the Prince Albert Rotisserie of InterContinental hotel, dahlings.
In complete attendance were the Albert clan, including children and their spouses: Carlo and Isabela Albert, BJ Albert, Marty and MJ Albert, Carlo and Monique Lopez, Raffy and Rina Llamas, Cris’ sister Ana Abad Santos with son Tommy Bitong, and Cris’ gorgeous mother, Wanda Louwallien, natch!
Robert Blancaflor dressed up Prince Albert’s Carlos P. Romulo room like a fabulous flower garden, filling the air with love and romance.
Cris wore a fairytale-inspired black gown by the über-talented Rajo Laurel, no less.
The splendid menu consisted of Lobster Bisque and Prince Albert’s famous US Angus Prime Rib Roast with Yorkshire Pudding, and the exquisitely fresh Parsley and Lemon Crusted Atlantic Salmon. Dessert was Mango Crepe with Sabayon, palangga.
In true Cris Albert fashion, champagne was overflowing, to the delight of her close friend and our town’s other champagne queen, Vicky Zubiri.
A wonderful surprise was Privé co-owner JM Rodriguez serenading Cris and Butch with songs that brought loud applause from the guests.
Seen having a good time at the party were Dr. Aivee and Dr. Z Teo, Ralph Joseph, Alex Van Hagen, Mikee and Sheila Romero, Ipe Cruz, Linda Ley, and rugby players/Fila endorsers Andrew Wolff, Harry Morris and Gaz Holgate.
The night ended with heartfelt messages from each of Cris and Butch’s closest pals.
Bally eyewear collection
Sunglasses no longer just protect our eyes from the sun, but have also become status symbols. There are countless brands out there that people love to flaunt day or night, whether they look good on them or not.
In any case, Bally and the eyewear group TWC L’Amy recently presented its Spring 2014 Eyewear Collection for men and women.
The collection includes a range of formal, business, casual and sport models—all of which are said to “capture the Swiss brand’s craftsmanship, attention to detail and trademark design.”
The event was attended by some of Manille’s glamorous personalities.
Welcoming the invitees was the très charmant Arnaud Dubord, TWC L’Amy Group Asia manager eyewear division, who said in his short opening speech: “Bally’s eyewear collection has frames for every face that symbolize quality, elegance, style and luxury…”
These Bally shades are likewise said to be lightweight but durable and functional.
You can’t go wrong with Bally, dahlings. Originally a shoe brand, it’s been around since 1851.
Available at Bally boutiques in Rustan’s Makati, Greenbelt 5, Newport Mall and Shangri-La Plaza through Stores Specialists Inc., and in leading optical stores.
Salute to CMA awardees
We salute the seven outstanding microentrepreneurs cited by the 11th Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards (CMA) for their hard work and business acumen that “propelled them to success.”
The CMA program is a partnership between the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Citi Philippines and Microfinance Council of the Philippines Inc.
BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. and Citi Philippines CEO Batara Sianturi, who serve as co-chairs of the program, led the awarding ceremonies at the BSP Executive Business Lounge.
The event was the culminating activity of a campaign that attracted an awesome 107 nominees from 23 microfinance institutions nationwide.
Cash prizes, with a four-week entrepreneurship training at the Citi Microenterprise Development Center, health and life insurance coverage, and laptop computers with IT training, were given to the awardees.
Members of the CMA national selection committee included Inquirer board chair Marixi Rufino-Prieto, former Monetary Board member Antonino Alindogan Jr. and RFM president Jose Concepcion III.
