IT WAS a night for women of power and substance, dahlings, when the All Nations Women?s Group of the YMCA of Manila, Inc. held its awesome induction at the Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. As I breezed in, I could feel the energy and pride of the 2010-2011 officers all dressed in fire-engine red. Civic and charity-oriented woman of stature, vivacious Dr. Leonida ?Baby? Bayani-Ortiz, headed the reception line with guest of honor and speaker, Ambassador of Singapore A. Selverajah.

During dinner, Baby told me she serves in the Board of Governors for the Philippine Red Cross as national treasurer and got involved in tons of other organizations and earned the degree of Humanities Honoris Causa for her humanitarian involvement, palanggas.

Baby made sure the invitees had a good time, dahlings. It was a different kind of event for me, but with the tons of invitees mingling all over the ballroom, my eagle eye couldn?t miss some of them pushing their way for a photo with some of the namedroppables. One of them, I noticed was irked, but kept his cool.

After all was said and done, the die-hards stayed on ?til they were almost swept out of the place, while others just had a good time with their friends.

Yet, our grand hostess, well-respected, dedicated lady to the newly elected president of ANWG should take a bow for a job well done, dahlings.

Cacay Moras? celebration

Not one, not two, but three awesome parties (actually more if you count the private ones, dahlings). That?s how uber event-PR mistress, vivacious southern gal Cacay Moras celebrated another successful year, dahlings. Festivities were held at her close pals? chic home, accessory designers Markus Schmidt and Richard Danao. The two threw an absolutely fun bash for her in their bohemian Malate pad at the historical North Syquia building, palanggas. With the endless drinks flowing and the place packed with invitees, this happening lasted way past the sun-had set at Manila Bay, fronting the venue.

The next celebration was held at one of Makati?s newest hip spots, S-Lounge at the Atrium Building on Makati Ave (tel. 09156131289 or 09156131474). Super chilled (the only way it should be) Piper Heidsieck champagne flowed freely, keeping the chi-chi dressed-up crowd buzzing, dahlings. Gracious owner-chefs Patrice Freulson, Andren Dizon and Jason Choachuy surprised Cacay with a specially made birthday cake. Keeping the grooves on were Elian Habayeb and Ms. Badkiss herself Christina Bartges, to the delight of all the invitees. (The third happening will be held soon.)

MEGA event

That popular MEGA Magazine lived up to its name as one of the country?s top fashion magazines, dahlings, with its ?Pinoy Pride.? This chic happening had our town?s heavyweights in the social scene dashing to the historic Manila Hotel for an awesome night organized by MEGA brilliant woman of all seasons, editor in chief Sari Yap and her team, truly making the night totally one for the books. It was held at the eternally elegant Champagne Room, where we were treated to a multi-course dinner representing the very best in Filipino cuisine, palanggas. The grand highlight was the incredibly talented Musikito String Orchestra, a wow children?s orchestra comprised of the underprivileged from Malabon. The group dazzled and mesmerized us.

Guests included FILA?s Cris Albert, Bulgari and Hermes? Mario Katigbak, TV?s head turner ?Paparazzi? gal Ruffa Gutierrez; and the issue?s cover girl, gorgeously adorable Regine Velasquez.

Another wow was MEGA?s own ?Panatang Makabayan? read by Cesar Montano, followed by Sari and the month?s guest editor Tim Yap. He said, ?The Musikito String Orchestra was to compete in the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival in Vienna, Austria?. Inspired by the talents of these children, guests generously pledged to help these musicians with their airfare for the competition.

Yes, dahlings, Musikito?s entry at Donaupark and Neumargareten left the audience amazed at their skill (while blindfolded, no less). Germany got the grand prize, but Musikito had the same rating as Australia and the United States. Bravo, MEGA for making us proud to be Filipino, palanggas.

More details? Visit http://www.mega-magazine.com.