Wine and a bacchanalian feast

KATRINA PONCE Enrile—“looking and feeling fabulous,” as Tetta Matera described her, and if moi may add, ravishing at 51—has been aiming for higher things. Her Ladera Culinary Services Inc. (LCSI) hosted a wine and food-filled evening at Petra & Pilar, a casual but yummy restaurant at Export Bank Drive in Makati, dahlings.

Cocktails gave the invitees time to socialize before sitting down for a gourmet meal of delectable dishes from La Esquina, Ladera Lounge, Ladera Grill and Petra & Pilar, the four restaurants of Ladera Group, plus excellent samplers from the superb Delimondo (which is on my list of must-haves) paired with fine wines from Corte Riva Vineyards.

At 7 p.m., the happening got rolling with brief introductions from Katrina, who is also Jaka Group president and CEO. Corte Riva Wines maker and owner, la simpatica Nieves Cortez (www.corteriva.com), later spoke about her wines. Then it was time to dig into choice dishes from the restos of the Ladera Group and drool over the selected Delimondo sausages and canned foods prepared by Jaka executive chef Tristan Bayani, paired with Corte Riva Wines, which will soon be available in the local market.

The menu was a bacchanalian fiesta. Favorites were the lapu-lapu Paupiette a la Pepperonata (roulade of lapu-lapu in two pepper sauce), from Ladera Lounge; Tigres Mejillones (baked mussels stuffed with shrimp, chorizo and cheese) from La Esquina; and Bulalo Steak (beef shanks boiled to tenderness, then grilled with garlic brown sauce and served on sizzling plate) and Tilapiang Binusog sa Laing (breaded tilapia deep-fried and stuffed with taro leaves drizzled with coconut milk) from Ladera Grill.

From Petra & Pilar, favorites were Kare-Kare sa Kasoy (beef shank stew with vegetables in cashew-based sauce and served with shrimp paste), Tenderloin Tips Mechado (strips of tenderloin stewed in tomato concasse with potatoes, bell peppers and onion); and Binagoongang Liempo Sisig (minced lechon kawali sautéed with shrimp paste, onions, garlic, chili fingers, cooked sisig-style).

Wines featured were the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon “Mabuhay,” 2006 Merlot and 2006 Petite Sirah.

“The company also provides events catering and food commissary services in Metro Manila and Tagaytay Ridge Area, and has now expanded outside the Splendido Taal Residential Community,” said Katrina.

Timepieces and photographs

It was a crowd-stopping scene at Greenbelt 5 as the brightest stars paraded for the launch of two awesome creations—the Philip Stein Star Collection and Mark Nicdao’s photography book “Vantage,” dahlings.

Philip Stein showed off its exclusive watches, the Star Collection. Jetting in from Philip Stein headquarters for this happening was the man behind the brand, Will Stein, no less, palanggas. Flashbulbs dazzled at the Philip Stein booth, where Philip Stein ambassador, adorable Kris Aquino, was photographed endlessly.

Later, Kris described the inspiration for her watch: “The pink dial is symbolic of pure love, femininity, and childish innocence. Above all else, I value most my children and the love they give.”

Highlight of the event was the silent auction, dahlings. First item bought was a Kris Aquino portrait, purchased by Will Stein himself, “as a gift and act of appreciation to Kris for her unwavering support for the brand,” he told us proudly.

Moi can rightfully say, you’ll have eyes focusing on your wrist, palanggas, when you’re wearing a Philip Stein watch.

Thrill of the dragon boat races

The totally exciting American Tourister 5th Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival did it again, dahlings, with the Sydney Fire Dragons taking the Women’s 300m and 500m races; Triton-Army Dragon Boat Team for the Mixed 500m race; Fleet Marine for the Mixed 300m race; and the awesome Philippine Army for Dragon team in the Men’s 500m race, which won the grand prize, cheered on by tons of screaming spectators who packed the pristine shoreline of the island, palanggas.

This made-in-the-Philippines event attracted over 1,000 participants from across the globe and more than 3,000 spectators who watched the daily race.

The International Pink Sisters Dragon Boat Team, composed of cancer survivors and paddlers, travels the world to raise breast cancer awareness, “to widen its reach for people’s involvement in the cause.”

American Tourister, one of the leading très practical luggage brands in the world, has been providing quality and stylish products for the travel-savvy for almost 80 years, palanggas. “We are thrilled to be part of the festivities that promote local and international tourism by highlighting sports as a contemporary lifestyle, and showcase the history and romance of an ancient sporting tradition,” said Ciely Buenviaje, assistant GM of Samsonite Philippines Inc. and American Tourister.

Without even batting an eyelash, palanggas, from what I witnessed in Bora, American Tourister has totally made its mark in this country. Check out American Tourister at leading department stores nationwide and Paseo de Sta. Rosa (multi-brand store).