Jewelmer presented “A Journey to the Extraordinary” at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa to celebrate its latest collection of jewelry featuring its supreme creation, the golden South Sea pearl. They do the Philippines proud, coming as they do from the Jewelmer pearl farm in Palawan.
Cocktails and canapés were served at the lobby lounge where Jewelmer’s group president and CEO Jacques Branellec held court and greeted a stream of elegantly dressed guests.
With him were his son Jacques Christophe Branellec, vice president and deputy CEO; Gaelle Branellec, vice president and creative director; Abelardo Mondoñedo, senior vice president; Tricie Legarda, executive marketing manager; and Penelope Uy, communications and events manager.
Shangri-La executives present were general manager Rene Egle and his wife Nelly; Albert Lafuente, director of sales and marketing; Cassandra Cuevas, communications manager; and Lea Arbiol, assistant director of events management.
Eyes were all directed at Mia Arcenas, fiancée of Jacques Christophe, and her parents Dindo Arcenas and Iris Fernan Arcenas. The wedding will be in France.
Dinner was served downstairs at the ante-hall to the Mactan ballroom, where tables had been set up in formal French style. The program was hosted by Issa Litton, niece of Johnny Litton who was also present.
Jewelmer’s new corporate video was shown, followed by a fashion parade of creations by Mia Arcenas herself and Rhett Eala. The country’s top models glided in them, wearing a queen’s ransom in golden South Sea pearls.
Mia and Jacques Christophe were well-applauded after she sang “Summertime” and “The Very Thought of You” while he played the saxophone.
Italian fare
In Italy a trattoria is a restaurant serving heritage cuisine according to traditional recipes held for generations by a family, which usually also runs the place. Cebu now has a real one with the opening of Trattoria da Gianni at Crossroads in Banilad.
Numerous guests attended the grand opening, welcomed by Gianluca Guidicelli, his wife Glenna Fernan Guidicelli and their children Matteo, Giorgia and Paolo. They explained that the trattoria is named after Gianluca’s late father, Gianni Guidicelli.
He was a great cook, and had brought quite a treasure trove of recipes from Italy. He taught the family’s household help, Antonia and Jean, how to prepare the dishes and they are there now at Trattoria da Gianni to the delight of its many patrons.
Trattoria da Gianni does not have pizzas on its menu card. Instead they have some very appetizing bruschetta with varied toppings. Their lasagna is the best ever. There are those who just love a plateful of thinly sliced Parma ham.
A few days before the grand opening there was a blessing ceremony and a family gathering. It was Matteo’s birthday and singer-actress Sarah Geronimo flew down to Cebu to celebrate it with him.
Milestone anniversary
The Marco Polo Plaza Hotel in Cebu celebrated its 10th anniversary with a White Night at the hotel’s Blu Bar and Grill, al fresco. General manager Julie Najar, in white lace, was on hand to greet the members of the Cebu press, for whom the celebration was held.
Assisting Julie were Lara Constantino Scarrow, sales and marketing director; Xavier Masson, resident manager; Manna Alcaraz, communications manager; Yvonne Silva and Jude Pangan.
“Do you know that we are 1,000 feet above sea level?” remarked Aissa de la Cruz, food writer of the Cebu Daily News, and many years back the PR manager of the Cebu Plaza Hotel, predecessor to the Marco Polo.
Indeed, it was quite cool and breezy that night where we were, while the rest of Cebu was sweltering on a sultry summer night. And we’re told it will get hotter still.