BLURB
There’s the Bench denim and underwear show and the Red Charity Gala
Like a kid in a candy store, I was eagerly awaiting September and now it’s here. September is the time I celebrate my annual life milestones. It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since my wonderful golden birthday bash in Balesin Island.
Last weekend, we had the chance to relive Balesin with my brother Andrew and family, who have relocated in the country after two decades of working abroad. We stayed at the new Mykonos Beach Villas on Balesin and were amazed at how the island keeps improving, with new facilities continually being added to the mix. We enjoyed the new archery area and scuba diving on the island’s premier dive spot—a plane wreck.
Balesin Island also organized a fun run that Gatorade sponsored with fantastic prizes such as villa nights and airfares. Even if I was 30 minutes late, I managed to complete the 10K run and collect my giveaway.
The club is preparing another run for the next long weekend in November. I suggested to Balesin senior manager Alex Cenzon to make it a sunset fun run so more guests could join and enjoy sunset cocktails after the run.
Apart from all the exciting activities on the island like mermaid swimming and photography lessons, Balesin concerts are hosted free of charge for guests to enjoy. That weekend, pop singer Erik Santos delighted us with his powerful voice.
Cause for celebration
September is truly a busy month with many celebrations and events. Being my birthday month as well as my mom Marixi Prieto’s, and son Bryan Prieto’s, we have so many happy occasions to celebrate life.
As for events, Bench is on full throttle for the top retail store’s biennial gigantic fashion show, “The Naked Truth,” to be held at SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sept. 19. To heat the excitement even more, a pre-show was held at the Bench Tower with Bench king Ben Chan giving a sneak preview of the sizzling program.
Before the fashion show, a video showed how Bench, through Rep. Lucy Torres, helped fishermen in Ormoc, Leyte, with new fishing boats. Supertyphoon “Yolanda” destroyed all their boats, so Bench donated new ones for their livelihood to continue.
Ben quoted a Chinese proverb, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; show him how to catch fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Lucy talked of how the lives of these fishermen and their families went from hopelessness to a bright beginning.
As he celebrated his birthday, too, Ben served cute, personal-size Moët’s champagne to the guests while the fashion show a.k.a. abs fest was spotlighted. Tickets to “The Naked Truth” will be the most coveted since it’s a by-invitation show. Fashion director Robby Carmona of Saga Events will be at the helm of the much-awaited event.
I was also eagerly waiting for September so I could share the beautiful cover photo of Lifestyle Asia magazine with my graciously elegant Red Charity Gala partner, Kaye Tinga. Sharing the limelight is Fila head Cris Albert who talks about charity, fashion and her marriage to husband Butch.
Lifestyle Asia, a prestige publication of One MEGA Group, is our magazine sponsor this year for the Red Charity Gala happening on Oct. 18 at the Makati Shangri-La.
For the cover, we wore gowns by our featured designer, Jojie Lloren, and were styled and photographed at W/17, the exquisite home and lifestyle shop of Kaye and Andy Vazquez Prada. International model/photographer Simon Sandor took the photos.
For the September art and style issue, Ingrid Chua-Go gives Lifestyle Asia readers access to her Bag Hag Diaries for F/W 2014-2015 while Patty Ang is up and center for this month’s 24 Hour Woman. Also in the mix is David Ong who designs beverages at his coffee-cocktail bars, The Curator and EDSA. He is this issue’s Man on the Go.
This issue also features Ayala Foundation head Luli De Leon who was a department store gift wrapper, banker, and oil and gas executive before doing philanthropy work for sustainable communities. Contemporary classical composer Jeffrey Ching also shares how big things can happen in everyday life.
Just in time for the F1 races, Lifestyle Asia gives a rundown on the parties and events happening in Singapore this month. Also, the magical nature of New Zealand turns tourists into explorers and ordinary travelers into adventurers. Also featured this month are Metrobank’s Art and Design Excellence competition, the stylish indoor garden restaurant Le Jardin at the W Building, and the latest wedding packages at Raffles/Fairmont Makati.
It was great to reminisce on our Game of Thrones-inspired 20th wedding anniversary with my hubby Dennis at the Manila Polo Club. The stunning spread brought fond memories of the awesome celebration.
Art auction at Leon Gallery
September is likewise the birthday month of many friends. I joined birthday girls Carol Garcia and Connie Araneta as we blew our birthday cake together at the intimate lunch at Leon Gallery in Makati City. Leon Gallery is having a magnificent auction of a broad range of artworks and antiques on Sept. 13.
Expect the gallery to offer a deft mix from important Filipiniana—including a six-volume folio Manila edition of the “Flora de Filipinas” by Fray Manuel Blanco; works of homegrown visual opulence including an important Manansala work titled “Vendors” from 1972; and an equally valued work by Anita Magsaysay Ho, the blithe “Women with Baskets and Mangoes.” The sale of 164 lots will also include family treasures from the estates of Don Alfonso Ongpin, Don Luis Ma. Araneta, Don Anselmo Trinidad and many more. Preview is ongoing until Sept. 12 while the main auction will start at 2 p.m. on Sept. 13.
For my birthday weekend, my Friday running group Girls Run For Breakfast did a 5.1K run before an extra long enjoyable morning meal. A running buddy suggested we do 51K to mark my age but I opted for the shorter distance and the longer breakfast celebration.
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