How do we stop time so we can enjoy life more fully and smell the roses? These busy summer days kept me running around to catch events and kids’ activities, and traveling to exciting destinations. It’s like I’m on a roller coaster, and there’s no getting off!
Before May is over, I want to give another shoutout to all the mothers out there. Several affairs this month have focused on mothers and how glamorous it is to be in this “profession” that is smothered with love!
In celebration of every mother’s heroic love and compassion, the Bantay Bata Foundation recently joined hands with outstanding moms and the country’s top fashion designers to launch Mothers for Others, a charity fashion show for the benefit of the foundation’s pediatric heart patients.
Mothers for Others charity fashion show
Kaye Tinga, who is also co-producer of the Red Cross Ball, is one of the lead proponents of Mothers for Others, along with the Bantay Bata Advisory Board members like Nanette Medved-Po and Audrey Zubiri.
The three lovely ladies share their passions in the latest issue of Lifestyle Asia. A special-edition cover was printed and given out at the fundraiser held at the Rizal Ballroom of Makati Shangri-La. Bantay Bata will use the proceeds to provide life-saving surgery to over 100 children in critical need, thanks to generous donations from Wilkins and the PLDT/Smart Foundation.
The most trusted water brand of Filipino mothers, Wilkins Distilled Drinking Water, has always partnered with worthy causes such as Bantay Bata. Similarly, the PLDT/Smart Foundation believes in giving equal opportunity to good education and health services.
My youngest daughter Athena was vacationing in the States, so she was not able to model for Bantay Bata member Rajo Laurel. So I ended up on the ramp with the rest of the adorable children. It was wonderful to be taller than the rest of the models.
All of us wore outfits by designers like Rajo, Pepito Albert, Dennis Lustico, Inno Sotto, Ivar Aseron, Randy Ortiz, Patrice Diaz Ramos, Cary Santiago, Rhett Eala, Jun Escario and Paul Cabral. It was super to see kids from so many prominent families all patronizing local designers in BB’s unique fundraiser.
Other Bantay Bata team members included Carla Ramsay, Jackie Lhullier Hess, Lisa Chan and Manny Padilla, who all took turns in a family portrait session executed by ace photographer Patrick Uy.
Before the main fashion show, Bantay Bata member Dawn Zulueta and I hosted a lively auction to generate more funds. I got so excited with the Weekend Getaway in Bangkok from Thai Airways and Dusit Thani Hotel that I won the bid myself. Other auctioned items were a Boracay Holiday care of Shangri-La Resort Boracay, and two sets of VIP tickets to the Justin Bieber concert donated by Smart Infinity.
Mercedes-Benz was another major sponsor, while Rustan’s and Stores Specialists presented an array of gifts for all the moms, as it was Mothers’ Day. Everyone took home Luxe cakes by Goldilocks, chocolates from Villa del Comte Ciocollate, special gifts from W17 Home and Olay products.
Meanwhile, the dads snuck off to Conway’s to watch the Pacman’s boxing (mis)match.
I wore the same outfit that Rajo made for me at his Pink BIG 4-0 birthday bash at Opus, the hottest super club. Festooned with pink balloons and pretty cupcakes by Sonja Ocampo, the club was filled with Rajo’s dearest friends and family. Rajo and I travel all over the world, and he has dressed me up for most of my major events.
My hubby Dennis and I drove to Opus in the all-new Nissan Teana. This automotive phenom recently stormed onto local shores, blowing away its competition via world-class performance, premium European design, class-leading comfort, and a host of other new features.
Allen Chen, president of Nissan Philippines, was nice enough to lend us a Teana for a few days, and Dennis was thoroughly impressed, noting that the 3.5L V6 was zippy and the interiors as luxurious as many European sedans. Allen told me that the engine has, indeed, been a winner, featured on Ward’s 10 best engines for the past 14 years.
I’ve always loved the brand. I used to have a black Altima, and this latest Teana is just a continuation of Nissan’s commitment to high quality products that, as the brochure says, maximizes the pleasure of driving. Hmm. In my case, let that be the pleasure of being driven.
Network of Glam-O-Mamas
But let me not digress. I’m talking about moms today. Glam-O-Mamas, a social boutique owned by pretty moms Amanda Griffin-Jacob and Nicole Jacinto, was recently launched at Members Only.
Modern moms are chic, engaged and multi-faceted women, whether they be 20 or 60. Yes, all moms have evolved and are encouraged to continue their glamification by visiting Glam-O-Mama.
The social boutique hit the Manila scene late last year with a host of signature events, including the Stock Exchange. This mommy collective, the first of its kind in the country, aims to build a network of like-minded, modern and environmentally aware moms who believe in creating a healthy balance between all their various roles.
At the photo exhibit-cumlaunch, I wore a fun, colorful outfit by fashion guru Jojie Lloren. Guests were treated to free-flowing Amstel Light beer and liquor from Ralph’s Wines and Spirits, and took home loot bags stocked with Oilatum, Drypers and Pure Beauty products as well as photo souvenirs from Mrs. Pixels.
Adding to their venture, the rookie moms recently launched their newest baby, Glamomamas.com, a fun and informative website that offers yet another platform for moms to connect and share ideas. The photo exhibit repeats at the Power Plant Mall June 27-30.
The launch was done in collaboration with Mega Magazine. Some of the metro’s most glamorous show-biz moms were featured, like Christine Jacob-Sandejas, Daphne Oseña-Paez and Cheska Garcia-Kramer, to name a few. It seems that to be a modern mom, one must have a hyphen in their name.
Follow Tessa on Twitter @tessavaldes or email her at [email protected].
