TO CELEBRATE their forthcoming wedding, Jessica Guevara and Richard Everingham invited kin and friends to a thanksgiving Mass and party.

When she walked in, Jessica?s radiant presence had all heads turning her way, dahlings. Businessman Everingham couldn?t keep his eyes off his fiancee, as if he was just seeing her for the first time.

The Mass, dahlings, was by the Guevaras? family priest, Fr. Gerry Orbos, who gave words of advice, wisdom and humor.

The bride?s parents, Boy Guevara and his beautiful wife, Monette Amado G. , welcomed the parents of the would-be groom, Dr. and Mrs. William Everingham, who had jetted in from Australia.

Close friends were treated to a dinner reception at the Guevaras? ancestral home on Princeton Street in Wack Wack Village. Monette took care of all the details like the entertainment and tons of gorgeous flowers all over the garden and as centerpieces on each table. The dinner buffet was superbly prepared by The Plaza by Mellie Reyes.

A true family man, Boy Guevara?s speech captured the crowd?s attention, with his charm, wit and deep love for his daughter. Next to deliver a speech was actress Ruffa Gutierrez, who will be bridesmaid, and family friend Amy Evaristo. Then it was Richard?s parents? turn, and they gave heartfelt words of love to the couple.

A romantic serenade of songs was performed by Jessica?s stunningly beautiful and very talented sisters Carla and Nikki. Then came a surprise number from the cast of ?Rent,? no less, palanggas.

In the end, Jessica surprised us all with a fun and romantic AVP of Jessica and Richard?s love story, from the people who know them best and saw their love story unfold.

The couple is set to wed on April 8 at the wine country in Hunter Valley of Australia, a picture-perfect location.

More of this awesome love story, palanggas, after my return from this wedding.

Aquino watch and book launch

What a grand celebration of art and legacy it was, palanggas, with one of democracy?s famous icons. World-renowned watchmaker formally launched the awesome limited-edition Philip Stein?s Corazon C. Aquino Commemorative Watch, and coffee-table book, ?The Art and Soul of Cory,? plus a compilation of Cory?s paintings, ?The Yellow Paintings: A Tribute to Cory Aquino and the Spirit of Edsa. ?

Held at the Atrium of The Podium mall in Ortigas, the totally successful happening had the proud hosts, Emerson and Ivan Yao, managing directors of Lucerne Group of Companies, and distributor of Philip Stein, Kris Aquino, her husband, basketball star and my Ilonggo palangga James Yap, and son Baby James.

Philip Stein?s commemorative watch features a yellow ribbon on the dial and yellow lizard leather strap, an interchangeable bracelet system. Engraved at the back is ?A Tribute to the 11th President of the Philippines Corazon C. Aquino ?Mother of Democracy? with her profile, dahlings.

Every purchase of this truly must-have watch gets a free book mentioned above, palanggas.

?President Aquino?s paintings were never sold and were merely given as gifts from the heart. It is this very nature of Cory Aquino?s private acts of generosity that make us want to share them with the people that she loved,? says Emerson Yao.

This event delighted the customers of Philip Stein?s must-have Cory?s watch and those who have a discerning eye for art, with the inimitable ?Cory magic? that will enthrall people for generations to come, palanggas.

Speedo collection

The whole country is sizzling with the El Niño phenomenon, palanggas, but the temperature even went higher when that renowned brand Speedo presented its eye-catching Spring-Summer collection 2010 at White Space, Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati.

Speedo rocked the ramp with its LZR, Racer Elite and the Racer Pro range, featuring the world-renowned championship winning swimsuit?the FastSkin, and its new Aqua Active line, dahlings.

Models paraded the gorgeous swimwear in bright colors, fashionable bikinis and retro-inspired pieces in contrasting shades.

Finally, the FastSkin XT is now in Asia. It?s worn by hotshot 2009 SEA Games medallist and Speedo-sponsored Kendrick Lim Uy, no less, dahlings.

Now, who were those gentlemen, I was told, who wanted to meet a couple of the gorgeous female models, but hit a blank wall when they were informed by the organizers, ?No way!? Ooops!

Special namedroppables included Sen. Pia Cayetano and Madame Indira Kumar, wife of the Indian ambassador. Also present were Nestea?s Carlos Vergara and former Olympian Rene ?Guy? Concepcion. Speedo International Limited?s regional business development director Olivier Godbille and senior product executive Ivy Lee jetted in from Hong Kong for the exciting launch.

Later, we were treated to yummy food choices from Red Kimono, palanggas.

Hey, palanggas, the temperature is still soaring, so pack up your bags and take along your awesome Speedo gear for another totally swinging summer escapade.

Check out the Speedo shop nearest you or visit www. speedo.com.