Bobby Cuenca and Chingbee Kalaw hosted a trés chic Bal Masque for the wedding of their son, Diego, to Jenny Tsai of New York.
Since Bobby and Chingbee couldn’t invite all their friends to the wedding, they decided to give a reception in Manille.
But they pulled off the celebration with a twist. To liven up the formal affair, they asked the guests to wear masks—the crazier-looking, the better.
Over 50 guests came from abroad. Among them were 15 of Jenny’s famille from the US East Coast and Taipei, where Jenny’s father, Shiusen, has kin.
Friends and schoolmates of Jenny and Diego from Harvard, Wharton (where Jenny got her MBA), Claremont McKenna and Columbia Business School (where Diego was taking his MBA) also attended. They mingled with Diego’s pals from International School Manila.
Diego’s brothers, Gary and Teddy Manotoc and Rodrigo Cuenca, helped entertain the foreign guests.
Chingbee’s Kalaw relatives came in full force, including her mom, former Senator Eva Estrada-Kalaw, as well as Tyrone and Jocelyn Kalaw, Ada and Philip Mabilangan, Dory and Carol Katigbak, Grace Marie Katigbak, Teddy and Bunny Kalaw.
And so did Bobby’s famille, such as sister Mary Ann Tinio and brother-in-law Boy Tinio, brother Paul Cuenca, and many others.
Also present were Lani and Conchitina Bernardo, Joe and Vicky Zubiri, Ambassador Joey Antonio and wife Hilda Reyes, Tatler’s Irene Martel and Dr. Randy Francisco, Wynn Wynn and Norby Ong, Tingting Cojuangco, Mary Ann Ojeda, Teddy and Louie Locsin, Lorrie Reynoso, Doris Magsaysay Ho, Mia Borromeo, John Forbes, Renna and Ed Angeles, Robert and Christine Francisco, Buboy and Libet Virata, Ricco and Tina Ocampo, Tito and Patis Tesoro, Marivic Vasquez, Jojo Zabarte, Max and Zelda Kienle, Nini and Abe Licaros, Peter Coyiuto, Tonet Lagdameo and Mayie and Suzie Delgado.
Jetting in from Hong Kong were Linda and Gage McAfee, Alain and Veronica Chevalier (Diego’s godmother) and noted jeweler and author Kai Yin Lo.
Coming in from New York were Sandra Eu, Minnie Osmeña and Lorrie Reynoso.
From San Diego came Bobby’s tennis buddy Scott Endsley with his wife Wendy. From London came Bobby’s super pals, Jay and Sibilla Radway and Lucinda and Jamie Bruce.
The main lounge of the Manila Polo Club was almost unrecognizable as it had been transformed into an enchanted forest with wisteria hanging from the ceiling and gorgeous flower arrangements all over.
Hundreds of candles twinkled on the dinner tables and cast a magic glow over the room.
Guests were serenaded by Jay Cayuca. ZsaZsa Padilla came with her fiancé Conrad Onglao; she gave Diego and Jenny a special treat by singing. The drinks flowed and the band Highway 54 played nonstop.
The fabulous bash ended with the last guests heading to a nearby lounge.
