Dahlings, all we could say was “Wow!” upon entering the main lounge of the Manila Polo Club to attend the opening of “Ablazablaze 2014: Dining with the Gods”—a recent exhibit by designer Jun Jun Ablaza.
The three-day exhibit showcased Jun Jun’s three-dimensional dining installations inspired by portraits of seven galactic elements and the four seasons.
The seven portraits were shot by international photographer Filbert Kung, and styled by stylist to the stars Roko Arceo. The special catalogue was compiled in collaboration with Tedrick Yau and Trixie Orobia, with the assistance of Michele Sison and Dodie Garcia.
Production guru Jett Carpio supervised the event.
Before the exhibit officially opened, siblings Marc Thomas Ablaza and Czarina Ablaza-Syquia delivered short speeches and greeted their brother Jun Jun who was also celebrating his birthday.
Après the toast, event host Tim Yap led the singing of “Happy Birthday” as Jun Jun stood beside the special cake designed by Cake Concepts.
Torches were handed to the invitees for them to wave toward the blank curtains covering the exhibit. Then the curtains dramatically dropped to the ground, revealing a stylized image of Jun Jun, painted by emerging artist Jeffrey Baligad.
The dining installations—which had a lavish, dramatic and whimsical character—were said to be inspired by “the bliss of lightness, the mysteries of darkness, the calmness of air, the beauty of the earth, the magnificence of ice, the strength of fire, and the spirit of water.”
Guests were served Belvedere Vodka and Moet et Chandon.
In his opening remarks, Jun Jun said: “I deem celebrations as momentous gatherings in our lives. There is always something more to the notion of organizing a grand party, or hosting an intimate dinner…”
He pointed out the intricacies of the exhibit: “Touches of eye-catching and unique elements like tall gold crowns over black veils as centerpieces, peacock feathers on candelabras over patches of magenta-colored flowers in azure vases, a scene with teapots and cups suspended in the air, a display of giant herons made of leaves in a garden party, or a Pegasus or a massive diamond hanging from the ceiling create interesting highlights that enliven a gathering.”
Take your well-deserved bow, palangga.
Jun Jun Ablaza’s Ablaze Artcessories gallery is at G/F, Pearl Market, Gift Market, Market! Market!, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Call 0922-8343251; follow @ablazablaze on Twitter and Instagram.
Latino-style birthday
Carla Enage-Cruz organized a party filled with the right ingredients to mark her husband and Franck Provost president Alfred José “Boey” Cruz’s 42nd birthday.
With the help of her mother-in-law Baby Cruz, Carla invited her hubby’s business pals, gang and classmates including his group that plays basketball every week.
Carla and Baby wanted it to be a memorable night for Boey, so they ordered a cake that had a Latino shirt which looked like a barong Tagalog. The venue was decorated Latino-street-style, with guests given cigars, sombreros, maracas and tambourines. Giveaways came in cigar containers.
The fun night, palangga, had a sumptuous spread of carne asada, pollo asado, empanada Latina, as well as Colombiana and Chilean empanaditas.
There was also ensalada de la casa with churrasco, pollo à la brasa, and the pièce de résistance—a whole Argentinian roasted lamb served with chimichurri sauce.
Guests danced to Latin and Spanish music, as well as contemporary sounds.
Boey looked so happy to begin life at 42 with all his favorite people.