Fab fashion designer Michael Cinco’s bejeweled creations have arrived from Dubai! The annual Red Charity Gala, co-chaired by Kaye Tinga and I, is on Oct. 16 already, so the arrival of the art pieces is en punto.

This being our fourth annual, Kaye and I thought it would be less stressful, but if anything the pressure is always on for us to deliver a more exciting show and with a bigger fund-raising goal. After all, we never forget that the entire end is to help lives, particularly through our main beneficiaries, the Philippine Red Cross and the Assumption HS ’81 Foundation.

And why not have fun in the process? This year, we’re going with a Greek theme, inspired by Michael’s gowns, some of which have been featured on the reality show “America’s Next Top Model.” Michael is an alum of Slim’s Fashion & Arts School, which seems to be the in-road onto that TV show, as Oliver Tolentino, another alum, has also been a featured designer.

It just goes to show that Philippine fashion is becoming globally recognized. The Red Charity Gala will also support Slim’s 50th Anniversary Show on Oct. 29 at SMX. Ten amazing past graduates will showcase their talents, including designer Chito Vijandre. Direk Ariel Lozada has viewed the collection, and he says it is very noteworthy.

Kaye and I love the whole cycle of opportunities that arise from the benefit event, to giving back to having a delightful evening. And more blessings simply mean more to give, and this year we have the so many typhoon victims to add to the list.

Top corporate sponsors

The Red Charity Gala had its press con at the elegant Audi Showroom at The Fort, hosted by Audi head Robert Coyiuto. Our generous sponsors include this European symbol of automotive elegance, and this year they will be displaying one of their top models at the entrance of the Shangri-La Makati and in the foyer of the main Rizal Ballroom.

Joining Audi at the top of our sponsor lists are Megaworld and Resorts World. It is just wonderful how mogul Andrew Tan and the entire Alliance Global family have embraced our charity as one of the annual fund-raisers that they support.

Bobby Hukom, country manager of Etihad Airways, is flying in Michael’s design team and donating a Pearl Business Class ticket to any European destination. We’ll be auctioning off this ticket, just like last year when generous Joel Cruz won the bid.

Smart Infinity is now a three-time sponsor, thanks to taipan Manny V. Pangilinan. They will be raffling off the latest Blackberry 9900 at the dinner, along with tickets to the hit show, “Mamma Mia.” As an endorser of Smart Infinity, I’m thrilled that the PLDT/Smart Foundation includes the Red Charity Gala and the Tanghalang Pilipino among their beneficiaries.

Ultimate cognac

The PLDT/Smart group truly knows how combining CSR and keeping subscribers happy can come up with a formidable business mix. Smart Infinity joined the intimate dinner to launch the ultra cognac, Louis XIII Grande Champagne Cognac, from the House of Remy Martin.

Christophe Bourrie, a director of Remy Martin, teamed up with chef Hylton Le Roux of The Establishment to create a fine-dining experience highlighted by the sampling of the “King of Cognacs.” Louis XIII is a blend of over 1,000 eaux de vie, some more than a century old, and aged in tiercons or antique oak barrels.

The cognac comes in a handcrafted Baccarat crystal decanter, a work of art in itself. The House of Remy Martin is donating a bottle of Louis XIII Grande Champagne Cognac to the Red Charity Gala. We will partner it with an Ivan Acuña painting and offer the package at the auction.

‘Women in Love’

Among the highlights of this year’s Red Charity Gala is a special photo exhibit, “Women in Love,” featuring 12 women chosen for their beauty and genuine heart. Pond’s Gold Radiance is one of our sponsors, and is honoring these women of style and substance.

Jacqe Yuengtian, Pond’s brand manager, is showing how the beauty product goes more than skin deep, by making a difference as well. Pond’s will give all guests free samples of their beauty products.

Wesley Villarica, photographer-ambassador of Canon, shot the images for “Women in Love.” He was a joy to pose for, working quickly with me, hubby Dennis and a friend’s pet cat to produce an innovative image. Wesley is the creative force behind Parallax Studio.

Canon, the epitome of digital cameras, is one of the sponsors of the Red Charity Gala. They generously donated a digital cameras and a giant, framed photo to each of the ladies featured in “Women in Love.”

Fila owner Cris Albert and her hubby Butch are among the couples featured in the exhibit. Cris told me that Fila will be launching a special shoe soon and to reserve the date for the action-packed launch event.

Tall and gorgeous Tina Ocampo is another Pond’s lady. This entrepreneurial phenom is donating one of her luxurious, croc-leather Celestina tote bags for the auction. We will partner that with a Sun Life Financial policy to make a more exciting auction item.

Red venue

Sun Life is one of our new sponsors. At a special dinner at Restaurant Red, Riza Mantaring, CEO of Sun Life, told me she was delighted to be part of the Red Charity Gala and pledged their support. A marathoner as well, she is heading to the New York Marathon next month.

Red was also the venue for the Gala’s food tasting. Reto Klauser, GM of Makati Shang, is a stickler for details and I always learn so much from listening to him comment on how to tweak a dish so that it not only tastes good, but is “surprising” as well. Suffice it to say that dinner at the Red Charity Gala will be a degustation to remember.

The Red Charity Gala is especially grateful to HSBC for their hassle-free annual sponsorship and generous support. We also wish to thank sponsors Preview Magazine, Stylebible.ph, SMDC, Samsung and Jane Iredale. Our media partners are Inquirer, Philippine Star and Business World. Special thanks to Piper-Heidsieck Champagne, B&B Italia, National Bookstore, Ovation Productions, Diptyque, Philip Stein, Jericho Minerals, Lancel, Subic Leisure and Golf Club, Luxe by Goldilocks, Villa del Conte Chocolates, W17 Shop, and Robert Blancaflor for the flowers.

Follow Tessa on Twitter @tessavaldes or email her at [email protected].