Half of the lobby of The Peninsula Manila had been converted into a standing area, where I watched with absolute delight gorgeous women in stunning white gowns.

 

The women had one thing in common, dahlings—their beautiful faces–and they love Pond’s.

 

During the event, Pond’s officially introduced its newest roster of beauties, such as entertainer Toni Gonzaga and 16 other beautiful faces.

 

Unilever executives led by  CEO Rohit Jawa welcomed the guests and unveiled  Pond’s new campaign.

 

The evening started with cocktails before guests were led to the Rigodon Ballroom where the beautiful setup of glass and silver framed the night’s super six-course dinner that ended with the to-die-for triple chocolate decadence—mini chocolate  flourless cake, white chocolate taster and milk chocolate pyramid.

 

How beautifully decadent can you get, dahlings?

 

Gina Lorenzana, Unilever vice president for personal care, talked about the “heritage of Pond’s and how it has been a household name ever since.”

 

Mian Datu-David, Unilever marketing director for skin, introduced Toni, saying “behind a beautiful face is a beautiful story.”

 

Toni talked about her young dream of joining show business, how it slowly became a reality, and how she blossomed into the beautiful woman she is now.

 

“I always thought I was not beautiful at all, and was shy because of not being beautiful,” Toni said. “But my mother always inspired me and kept telling me, ‘You are beautiful, anak; stop being negative.”

 

Among the guests, electrifying head-turners were Ria Prieto, editor of the Inquirer’s monthly supplement Red; Beng Dee, in a wow flowing printed chiffon coat and white satin strapless gown; Kelly Misa-Fernandez, in a Lanvin-inspired gown;  Heart Evangelista, natch; and naturellement, Ms Unilever Philippines herself, Apples Aberin, Ponds PR head for personal care.

 

“Before I was trying my best to hide my real looks, but now I’m celebrating it,” said Kelly.

 

“With the help of our ambassadors, Pond’s urges all Filipino women out there to inspire the world with their own beautiful stories, as well,” said Apples. “Now, their secret is out and they hope to rally other women to believe, like them, that they can be more beautiful than they’ve ever imagined.”

 

Needless to say it was the most gorgeous happening of the month, palangga.

 

Denovo

 

Moi was once told by a renowned international jeweler, “The opportunity to express ourselves, to proclaim our stories, and to share our secrets without ever having to utter a single word—that is the power of jewelry.”

 

So it was that at 71 Gramercy, was unveiled a premier spectacle of high-grade-gem proportions—the launch of the homegrown jewelry brand Denovo, dahlings.

 

The collection was the stunning result of collaboration with globally renowned Filipino artists and designers.

 

With her childhood dream of trading high-value items in her famille’s jewelry trade, swimwear designer and entrepreneur Caryll Martinez-Benitez, Denovo creative director, said she was seeking to pay homage to her famille.

 

“I was used to seeing jewelry become family heirlooms that got passed on from generation to generation,” she explained. “My years in fashion made me realize the value of classic statements and timeless designs. Denovo is borne out of the two: tradition and timeless aesthetics. What to everyone is a fashion statement is, to me, a way of life. Jewelry is an extension of who you are.”

 

Welcoming formally the invitees was Denovo’s brand architect  Amor Maclang: “The biggest challenge for us in Denovo was, ‘how do we redefine the diamond discourse?’”

 

Maclang said Denovo sources diamonds from “the best diamond regions in the world,” while putting a Philippine twist to the designs.

 

Designers who collaborated with Denovo are led by silversmith Georgina Ong. The collections and their designers: Global Collection by Cheryl Tiu; La Collezione Promessa by Maureen Disini; Millennial Collection by Neil Felipp; Seraph Collection by Leeroy New;  Equilibrium Collection by Jinggoy Buensuceso; and Crystal Dew Collection by Olivia d’Aboville, no less.

 

The launch was hosted by TV personality David Celdran. It was held in partnership with Lifestyle Asia of One Mega Group Inc. and Diageo.

 

The launch of Denovo diamonds proved that beneath a jewelry’s intricate cut lies the promise of a multitude of stories waiting to be told.

 

So true, dahlings! I have heard stories that could fill up my once-a-month Sunday column, “Sweet and Sour,” palangga.

 

Visit www.denovodiamonds.com, www.facebook.com/denovodiamonds; follow @denovodiamonds on Twitter and Instagram.