Welcome 2016!
We are filled with the promise of new beginnings and limitless blessings! As I write my first column of the year, I am extremely saddened by the shocking news of the passing away of our Inquirer editor in chief Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc on Christmas Eve. Truly, this is the darkest Christmas for our Inquirer family.
Twelve years ago, Letty asked me over lunch at home to start writing a weekly lifestyle column for the paper. I had never written a column, so she brought a sample copy of the work of a popular American social columnist, and said with confidence that I could do a similar and more exciting column.
It was her idea to name the column “Tessa!” and she also suggested that my column picture would be different each week depending on my outfit. To this day, that’s a unique thing I’ve never seen in any other column.
At the memorial service, Letty’s daughter Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala jokingly said that her mom was really the one who made me famous. And I believe that’s true.
The last time I bumped into Letty was at the ICanServe Foundation Fashion Show at Raffles Makati. ICanServe chair Kara had asked me to host the charity auction. After the affair, Letty came to me and thanked me for a job well done. She also said she was very impressed watching me on stage, and didn’t realize how confident I had become. I am forever grateful for the initial push and the continuing support she always gave me.
Life is truly so short and should be lived well, with great appreciation for everything and everyone. I believe in celebrating milestones of all kinds.
Max’s 70th year
In celebration of its 70th anniversary, Max’s Restaurant brought its family, friends and loyal customers back to the place where it all began, the original branch at Scout Tuazon, Quezon City. It was a grand and joyful birthday celebration of “The House That Fried Chicken Built.”
Guests were invited to take a walk down memory lane in a nostalgic outdoor display at Rudy Hall’s courtyard, featuring historic photos of the five original founders and branches. Hosts Lexi Schulze and Paolo Abrera reminisced along with the guests as they recounted the amazing story of founder Maximo Gimenez and his talented niece, Ruby Trota.
Max’s Restaurant began as a bar and café that catered to American soldiers in postwar Manila. Seven decades have seen it expand both locally and internationally.
Carolyn Trota-Salud, CEO of Max’s Restaurant, and Jim Fuentebella, director and chief marketing officer, recounted how they grew through a mix of partnerships, franchising and brand expansion. The cousins shared the times they spent during their childhood; unforgettable memories of waiting tables; working at the cashiers’ counter; and counting inventory for the restaurant.
They grew up alongside the children of the restaurant’s employees, who, like them, are now part of the third generation of Max’s Restaurant.
Robert Trota, CEO of Max’s Group, led the final toast in sincere gratitude to all. The celebration was truly a testament to the tradition of host-guest hospitality and generosity that Max’s founders started 70 years ago.
New wellness center
Carlyn Trota-Salud is also part of our Assumption Batch ’81 and has been instrumental in giving contributions to our batch foundation for many years now. Our latest fund-raising efforts aided the fishing village families of Balesin Island. Over 200 families were given Christmas baskets and toys.
Speaking of Balesin Island Club, its brand-new, state-of-the-art Aegle Wellness Center will open early next year, according to Alphaland president Babes Oreta. The first Aegle Center opened at The City Club in Makati City in early December.
As usual, Roberto V. Ongpin, CEO of Alphaland, did not scrimp in putting up his latest venture. Aegle has world-class diagnostic facilities and a superb medical team. I heard he has spent at least P350 million between the two centers.
Aegle at The City Club is on the sixth floor of the club. Services include Preventive Screening, Detoxification, Lifestyle and Nutritional Intervention, and Regenerative Medicine. Through comprehensive diagnostic tests and screening, the center is able to identify your current state of health and root causes of illnesses. Detoxification helps flush out toxins from your body and renew physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual balance.
Personalized program
Aegle’s wellness physicians will outline a personalized and comprehensive nutritional and lifestyle program to help you achieve optimum health using your diagnostic and screening results as a baseline guide. To create the medical center, Alphaland teamed up with internationally acclaimed Claude Chauchard, one of the world’s leading authorities on wellness and anti-aging, and Dr. Ben Valdecañas, who is Aegle’s medical director.
Chauchard is the founder and chair of La Clinique de Paris International, a well-established weight loss and longevity clinic with branches all over the world. Valdecañas is a specialist in regenerative medicine research for both hospital-based programs and clinical applications.
Aegle is appropriately named after the Greek goddess of radiant good health. What better way is there to illustrate this marriage between science and nature—Aegle being the daughter of Aesculapius, the god of medicine, and Epione, the goddess of soothing of pain. Aegle is the sister of Panacea, the goddess of medicines, and Hygeia, goddess of health.
For more information on Aegle and its unique approach to medical wellness, please e-mail Jennifer Sanvictores at [email protected].
Health is wealth, so may this New Year be the start of a healthy lifestyle for everyone. A focus on health will bring also good fortune and happiness. That’s my New Year’s wish to all!
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