JUST to recap, dahlings, about an item in my column last Friday, June 10, in which I discussed the “socializing fatigue syndrome” from the number of birthday treats I receive from friends.
My birthday falls on Dec. 22, and I looked back at one of the celebrations last year, a merienda cena at the stylish garden of the Forbes Park home of my longtime friend Nini Licaros.
Another close friend, Nene Leonor, helped plan that bash along with my other pals Mellie Ablaza, Chit Salud, Mabel Abano, Agnes Huibonhoa, May Neri, Yoly Ayson, Elaine Villar, Karen Macasaet and Letty Hahn.
Some of the guests included Fe Rodriguez, Dr. Elenita Binay, Ambassador Victor Garcia and Connie Garcia, Josie Razon, Cindy Velez, Nene Pe Lim, Tina Cuevas, fashionable Linda Ley and Agile Zamora, Evie Costa, Nonie Basilio, Diana Santos, Nena Mewshaw, Naty Pappas, Olga Martel, Monet Guevara, Helen Ong, Estella Lopez, Chona Lopez, Emily Lopez and Mimi Valerio.
Millie Reyes of The Plaza catered the sumptuous food.
Take a look at more photos from that fabulous party.
Bacardi’s legacy
Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition (BLCC) is an international contest for bartenders and mixologists in which they can create their own cocktails to cater to a broad crowd of drinkers.
It “is a prestigious industry competition where participants not only showcase skills in designing cocktails, but also endure a months-long challenge of promoting the cocktails, to test their longevity and popularity in bars across the metro,” said Bacardi Philippines managing director Sanjit Randhawa.
In the Philippine finals held at Buddha Bar in Makati, Richie Cruz of Café Enye emerged champion with his winning drink, El Tindero.
Cruz later competed at the BLCC Global Finals along with aspirants from Thailand, Australia, Norway, Belarus, the UK, the US, Israel and China. He made it to the semifinals.
David Cordoba, regarded as one of the world’s leading authorities in rum-based cocktails and the curator of BLCC, led the local judges, who included David Dennis, a beverage specialist; Dixie Marinas, restaurateur and columnist; and GP Reyes of Establishment Club.
Rico Robles hosted the event. Invitees included Abba Maramba of Skye; Lee Watson of ABV; Chelo Aestrid; Oliver Langrish; Isaac Vivek, Bacardi regional marketing director; and Withoon Phadungsrisawat, Bacardi trade ambassador.
“Bacardi Legacy is one of the world’s largest cocktail competitions and is a truly unique event that welcomes bartenders and industry colleagues into the Bacardi family,” said Fabio Di Giammarco, Bacardi global vice president.
He added that while only one person would walk away with the grand prize, the contest would gratify contestants for “the friendships formed, camaraderie and long-term commitment from Bacardi to help fuel the passion within each and every bartender taking part, which is the true legacy of this prestigious event.”
