Don Papa Rum was launched in a twilight affair at Aracama Filipino Cuisine, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, dahlings. Proudly made from my hometown—Bacolod, would you believe?—this premium full-flavored rum is produced from sugar cane.

 

Three months before, another top achiever from Bacolod, renowned architect and interior designer Jonathan Matti, gave an awesome dinner for one of his close pals, Kathy de Guzman, who had breezed in from Singapore where she’s based with her mega banker-husband Bing de Guzman, at his gorgeous home in Makati, palanggas.

 

It was during Jonathan’s dinner when Don Papa was really introduced to the well-heeled invitees. It was served après the to-die-for dinner and guests raved about it and congratulated Don Papa founder Stephen Carroll.

 

“This rum is even better than other imported rums I’ve tasted,” said another of Matti’s honorees that night, Lorrie Reynoso of the prestigious New York Restaurant School.

 

Other guests who are not usually rum drinkers gobbled down the smooth and totally tasting Don Papa Rum.

 

During Don Papa’s formal launching at Aracama, “mixologist” Kathryn Eckstein magically concocted Kapag Serious Ka, Coco Breeze and Liquid Butterscotch. Carlos Celdran talked about the history of the rum.

 

With Stephen, naturellement, brand manager Monica Llamas and head of operations Andrew Garcia took their well-deserved bows amid the applause of the highly spirited guests, dahlings.

 

Don Papa Rum is available at Aracama, Draft, Beso, Distillery, Rocket Room, and Ralph’s Wines and Spirits.

 

Jollibee Champ

 

Conrad Hererra was the grand winner of “Who’s the Champ? The Jollibee Champ Eating Challenge,” the nationwide search for “the fastest Jollibee Champ eater.”

 

During the grand national finals at the TriNoma Activity Center in QC, Herrera finished a Jollibee Champ burger at an impressive 27.10 seconds, winning P50,000 cash and P5,000 worth of Jollibee gift certificates

 

In second place was 27-year-old Miguel Araneta, who finished the burger in 42.46 seconds. In third place was Norvin Yusoff Jr., a former OFW from Cavite, who downed it in 44.90 seconds.

 

“It’s great to be among the fastest Champ eaters in the country,” said Herrera. “I feel honored to win the Champ belt and be named as the best and fastest as this is the first nationwide contest. And yes, my favorite part is the 1/3-lb beef patty.”

 

“Who’s the Champ? The Champ Eating Challenges” was the first nationwide search for the fastest eater of Jollibee Champ, dahlings.

 

Also held was the Jollibee Champ celebrity challenge, where Eric Tai of the Philippine Volcanoes, Itchyworms frontman Jugs Jugueta and model-actor Jon Hall competed. Winner was the rugby player who won P10,000 cash and Jollibee gift certificates. He also won the judges’ nod for “the cutest Champ eater,” dahlings.

 

“This is a first for Jollibee and it has turned out to be very successful,” said Jollibee marketing manager Aileen Ricasata-Natividad. “We want our customers to know that Jollibee Champ, our premium burger, has burger goodness like no other.”

 

(Jollibee Champ is at all Jollibee outlets nationwide. Call 87000 for delivery or visit www.jollibeedelivery.com.)

 

Amanda’s baby shower

 

Model and television host Amanda Griffin-Jacob celebrated the upcoming arrival of her second son at The Conservatory of Peninsula Manila with her pals and famille, dahlings.

 

Amanda’s mother-in-law Rose Jacob, and sister-in-law Carmina Sanchez-Jacob hosted the fun baby shower during the afternoon tea happening, palanggas.

 

Another soon-to-be mother of two is events stylist Bambi Hernandez, and she prepared the theme The Traveling Little Man for the shower. Fun décor of globes, luggage, and various neckties evoked the globetrotting theme. Adding to the ambience were colorful flower arrangements by Czarina Ledesma and Ferdi Salvador of Tea.

 

Amanda’s close pals—Bianca Elizalde, Rita Trillo, Mika Lagdameo-Martinez, Celine Gabriel-Lim, Joey Mead-King, Katrina Feist, Daphne Oseña-Paez and Lexi Schulze—had a blast during the parlor games.

 

Winners received products from Mustela and gift certificates from The Spa. But losers still won prizes such loot bags with loads of Mustela, Friso and Davines items, and divine chocolates the Peninsula is known for.

 

Darling Amanda was so happy and excited that one guest said: “Relax, girl, you just might have your son come into the world with all of us around.”