While time definitely does not stand still, the Philippine Tatler’s opening night did an awesome job of freezing it with an impressive lineup of photographs of 13 glamorous women by renowned New York-based photographer, TV host and former model Nigel Barker. The women are featured in the three-cover Glam issue of the July Tatler.
The exhibit, titled “The Women,” had our town’s A-listers, standing elbow to elbow at Greenbelt 5 Atrium for the opening.
The 13 women are Celine Lopez, Georgina Wilson, Heart Evangelista, Bianca Araneta-Elizalde, Bianca Zobel, Audrey Puckett-Chiu, Stephanie Zubiri, Rocio Olbes, Rosanne Prieto, Valerie Weigmann, Carla Abellana, Pops Fernandez and Isabelle Daza.
Barker had earlier shot 12 Filipinas in the Tatler’s 2007 Glam issue: Kit Zobel, Ina Ayala, Sofia Elizalde, Fely Atienza, Mandy Santos, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Maricris Zobel, Ruffa Gutierrez, Kathy de Guzman, Margarita Forés and Vicky Zubiri.
Hosts were Tim Yap and Tessa Prieto-Valdes. They later introduced handsome Spanish model Abdel, or “Abs” Abdelkader, as the third host. 
Carla Abellana, arrived with her pal, Geoff Eigenmann. Fresh from her trip to Brazil, Heart Evangelista made a stunning entrance with her Brazilian boyfriend, Daniel Matsunaga.
Valerie Weigmann, Rocio Olbes, Pops Fernandez and Stephanie Zubiri joined the hosts onstage to gush about working with Nigel Barker and the pleasure of being immortalized by his photographic skills.
Margarita Araneta Fores’ Cibo di M catered the happening. The latest brews from San Miguel Brewery, a major sponsor, drowned the guests: flowing Premium All-Malt Beer, San Mig Super Dry, Cerveza Negra and San Miguel Alcoholic Malt Beverage, in apple and lemon flavors, palanggas.
Guests also sipped Carmen Cabernet Sauvignon and sparkling white Zonin Proseco, from Best World Beverage Brands, Inc.
Naturellement, dahlings, none of this could have happened without Ayala Malls Inc., which provided the venue. Definitely a big thank you goes to Stores Specialists Inc. and Rustan’s Essenses.
The Philippine Tatler gang was there, too, headed by managing director Irene Martel Francisco, editor in chief Anton San Diego, this writer (who’s “lifestyle and special editor” of the mag), managing editor Chit Lijauco, and editor at large Mia Borromeo.
Also to
be cited are Canon and Makati Shangri-La Hotel, where Barker’s shoot took place, natch!
Though Barker was back in New York during the launch, the invitees viewed scenes of him and the gals at work in a special four-minute video provided by Sony Philippines TV screens.
Other guests: Washington SyCip with his daughter-in-law Barbara SyCip; Annette Gozon-Abrogar of GMA-7; Katrina Ponce Enrile; Peter Coyiuto; Joseph and Stephanie Coyiuto-Tay of Amoroso Italian furniture; Bienvenido Tantoco Jr.; Patrick Reyno of Now Gallery; Joy Wassmer; Nene Santos Leonor; Ito Curata; Bob Miller; Pepper Teehankee; Cocoon’s Frances Lim; Alfredo Roca; banker Sandie Castro and businessman Manoling Poblador; Dina Paterno; Ben Chan and architect Miguel Pastor; and Bobby Cuenca.
Eiga Sai
I had wanted to spend a chill-out evening away from the maddening crowd, so without batting an eyelash, I dashed to Shangri-La Plaza for the Eiga Sai (Japanese Film Festival), organized by the Japan Foundation Manila and the Embassy of Japan.
Already on its 13th year, the film fest got on a roll with the invitational screening of “Departures” (Okuribito), best foreign-language film at the 81st Oscar awards.
Welcoming us were Ambassador of Japan Toshinao Urabe and Japan Foundation director Shuji Takatori.
During cocktails, entertaining the guests were Renato Lucas, principal cellist of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, and acclaimed pianist Naomi Sison.
“With the success of t
his year’s Eiga Sai, the metro’s preferred lifestyle destination has once again showcased its passion for culture and the arts, offering patrons and film aficionados cinematic pleasures that enthrall and inspire,” said Takatori, to the appreciative applause of the audience, dahlings.
Alabang classical concert
It will totally be another night of thrilling performances when Filfest Cultural Foundation, together with Insular, continues its fourth performing arts season, Allchestra, with a performance by renowned pianist Rudolf Golez and Clarion Chamber Ensemble on Saturday, July 30, 8 p.m., at Insular Hall in Alabang.
The program includes Septet in D minor by J.N. Hummel, Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante Opus 22 by Frederic Chopin, Mefisto Waltz No. 1 by Franz Liszt, and Quintet in A Major by Conradin Kreutzer.
Tickets are at P800 and P400, with discounts for students and seniors. More info? Call 5853823 or 0917-8177261.
