There are so many life lessons that we learn through the years. We need to keep in mind that the tougher the experiences, the bigger the blessings.
Johnny Litton, philanthropist and true family man, has many blessings to be grateful for. For this emcee par excellence, celebrating 80 years of life is indeed a grand milestone.
The Grand Ballroom of Marriott Hotel Manila, the epitome of grandeur, was the perfect venue to house Johnny’s recent well-wishers of almost 600 A-listers. It was a job well done for the hotel’s GM Bruce Winton and director of marketing communications Michelle Garcia, as ambassadors, government and business heads and celebrities trooped to the hotel in Pasay City in droves.
Testimonial videos from Johnny’s roster of friends were shown, from former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, SGV & Co. founder Washington SyCip, Senator and Philippine Red Cross chairperson and CEO Dick Gordon, Belo Medical Group founder and medical director Dr. Vicki Belo, and Concepcion Industries’ Paing Hechanova, among others.
A celebration of Tito Johnny is not complete without beautiful women and a fashion show. Featured in the first part were his four muses—Guatemala consul Mellie Ablaza, Monaco consul general and dean of the Consular Corps of the Philippines Fortune Ledesma, Angola consul Helen Ong and Tanzania consul Betty Chua.
Afterward, ambassadors, consuls and the lovely ladies of the Spouses of Heads of Mission gamely strode down the catwalk in designer clothes from Rustan’s.
Sneak peek
Johnny is deeply grateful to consul Fortune Ledesma for the daunting task of turning members of the diplomatic corps into runway models. Guests also had a sneak peek at the lovely awardees of the 2016 Best Dressed Women of the Philippines, a much-awaited annual charity event close to the celebrator’s heart.
To close the program, the country’s Concert King Martin Nievera sang many of Johnny’s favorite tunes. As his birthday pledge, Johnny made a point to include donations to the EJ Litton Foundation, as he has always done.
At the party, it was nice to see another relative, Manny Tanjangco, who also just celebrated his 80th birthday. I cannot forget his memorable dance performance with his sister Lita Banson, an incredible cha-cha and fox-trot number that was quite amazing.
To remember Johnny’s birthday, guests took home tokens from Rustan’s, Beabi, Laneige and Aficionado Germany Perfume. As always, Tita Trillo of Titania Wine Cellar provided overflowing spirits for the memorable party. Many thanks also to the ever-reliable show director Raymond Villanueva, Muebles Italiano, Bloomwoods flower shop, tenor George Tagle, RS Video and 10 Inch.
Johnny also sends special thanks to Jacques Christophe Branellec of Jewelmer Joaillerie, DMark Beauty Corporation’s Nikki Tang and florist Robert Blancaflor. This generous set is also supporting the Red Charity Gala on Oct. 8 at the new Shangri-La Hotel at the Fort.
Generous partner
The Red Charity Gala is the annual charitable affair co-chaired by Kaye Tinga and me. This year, we are once again supported by our generous partner, Bench king Ben Chan. May he be continually showered with many blessings as he turns a year wiser today.
Ever-hardworking business icon Ben recently opened his second Jo Malone London boutique store in SM Aura at Bonifacio Global City. Jo Malone London, the epitome of British luxury, is part of the Estee Lauder Companies.
This second boutique in Manila welcomed guests recently with designated “fragrance stylists” inviting all to sense and discover “fragrance combining.” Many were able to try a lineup of scents available at the Discovery Bar, where they could find their own bespoke scents.
A special box illustration service was exclusively offered to the VIP guests that opening day. Top local illustrators Monica Magsanoc and Kylie Gancayco offered their craft and let the guests choose from two significant British symbols, Big Ben and Tower Bridge.
Each iconic cream-and-black box was beautifully hand-drawn with these images—a simple service for a memorable keepsake.
Makeup collaboration
Another very glam affair I recently attended at SM Aura was the launch of the Happy Skin Glam Squad Collection. Beautiful founders Rissa Mananquil-Trillo and Jacqe Yuengtian Gutierrez held the beauty event at Todd English Restaurant to introduce new makeup palettes.
The brand’s latest collaboration is a full line of beginner-friendly yet pro-level makeup products that were developed together with Filipino makeup masters Juan Sarte, Denise Go-Ochoa, Mickey See and Jigs Mayuga. The country’s favorite homegrown brand of skin-caring makeup developed several products and brushes that help create four different unique looks—modern, fresh, blushing and bold.
Juan Sarte, known for his precise, detail-oriented makeup applications, has 22 years of experience under his belt. Juan created two shades and a universal mauve lipstick for the modern look.
Denise Go-Ochoa worked on this collection to create the fresh look with medium-brown shades and naked-peach lipstick. For the blushing look, Mickey See used shimmery peach tones and a deep blush lipstick.
Jigs Mayuga, a makeup guru of 12 years who said having his name on a makeup product is like a dream, decided on a bold look with darker shadows and a rose-brown lipstick.
Similar to Happy Skin’s successful collaborations in the past, the four master makeup artists are giving a portion of the collection’s sales to their charities of choice.
Starting this payday weekend, check out the MaArte Fair: Evolving the Filipino Craftsman. The fair runs until Aug. 28 at the Penthouse of Rockwell’s iconic building, 8 Rockwell, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Over 70 exhibitors have booths ranging from fashion, jewelry, pottery, fabrics, home décor and furniture.
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