Boracay is the Philippines’ version of St. Tropez, that devilishly chic town on the Côte d’Azur in France which has been the playground of the rich, famous and infamous for decades. Boracay may have become too crowded and commercial than we would like, but I guess no other place in the Philippines, dahlings, can have the riotous fun that people on the beach have during the day, or evoke the magical atmosphere that pervades the island at sunset and early evening.
Recently, we were back in Boracay to join our palangga, Vicky Zubiri, celebrate her birthday at the sprawling Asya Premier Suites—Choi and Marissa Cojuangco’s boutique hotel at the opposite end of White Beach.
The Zubiri clan was in full attendance, including Vicky’s husband Joe, her sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren.
Among the guests that night were Patrick Reyno, Federico Olbes, Bruce Hutchison and Gabriel Constantin from Monte Carlo, super pals of international banker Eduardo “Nene” Lacson.
Pearl of the Pacific
A step away from Asya Premier Suites is Boracay’s world-renowned Pearl of the Pacific, our home away from home for many years now. The place boasts of the widest frontage and deepest interior of any establishment on White Beach; its 56 rooms are almost impossible to book during peak season, unless you have the foresight, dahlings, to do so a year in advance!
The prized possession of Iloilo’s Greg and Marilou Sanson, Pearl of the Pacific is impeccably managed by the couple’s dedicated daughter Rita. Culinary delights are now prepared by its new Italian chef, and the dinner the Sansons hosted one night at the patio was absolutely delicious.
Two days after Vicky Zubiri’s birthday bash, business genius and art connoisseur Patrick Reyno hosted dinner at Kasbah, a trendy restaurant specializing in North African cuisine right by the beach.
Among the guests that included Harvard-educated Dr. Rex Gloria, one couldn’t miss out on the still vivacious Tetta Agustin, former signature model for Yves Saint Laurent, her husband, French industrialist and vintage car collector Christian Baverey, and daughter Tosca, a lawyer currently based in São Paulo, Brazil.
Tetta and Christian, who stay in their fabulous villa in Cannes when in France, often tour the Mediterranean during the summer with their friends on their yacht. Merci beaucoup ma chère Tetta, for that divine rosé champagne you sent to our table!
La Carmela de Boracay
Another place worth mentioning is La Carmela de Boracay, which faces the aquamarine sea with a beachfront swimming pool. It is located in Boracay’s busiest section, beside Binggoy Remedios’ long-running and ever-popular Spanish restaurant, Dos Mestizos!
Calling our attention to La Carmela and its fast expansion were Iloilo’s social columnist Joey Castigador and delightful palangga Nonoy Ybiernas. La Carmela owner Boy So personally oversees the needs of guests at his 400-room hotel with admirable aplomb.
The best thing about La Carmela is its unbelievably reasonable prices. And its higher-end rooms are also huge and have bathrooms bigger than some rooms in other Boracay hotels!
As always is the case when we’re on Boracay, the days just seemed to whiz by until it was time to fly back to our concrete jungle city.
Paciotti arrives in Manille
It’s no secret, dahlings, that one of the favorite shoe brands of the rich and famous is Paciotti.
The chic crowd rushed over to Level 1 of SM Aura Premier in Taguig to attend the recent launching of the Cesare Paciotti Boutique, which has brought its signature Italian luxury shoes to the country.
The brand’s creator and designer, Cesare Paciotti, has been dressing the heels of the most fashionable royals and personalities worldwide.
So now, dahlings, Cosmo Manille’s style-setters will finally get to walk in the opulence of what Cesare Paciotti is all about.
A très chosen mix of celebrities, fashion editors and other interesting people filled the boutique, getting first crack at slipping on Paciotti footwear.
Nuvo Bar and Restaurant’s chef Xavier Btesh does not only own one, but 42 pairs of Paciotti shoes!
Spotted trying on the Paciottis that caught their fancy were Ruffa Gutierrez, Divine Lee, Victor Basa, Liz Uy, Tim Yap, Daphne Oseña-Paez, Jenni Epperson, Bianca Valerio, among others.
SM Supermalls vice president for operations Steven Tan gave the opening remarks, as the invitees sipped on chilled champagne and nibbled hors d’oeuvres.
While browsing through the shop, one of the guests remarked, “The shoes are really marked with that distinct Italian edge and elegance.”
Visit cesare-paciotti.com; follow @PaciottiPh on Twitter and Instagram
