We all hope that the coming 365 days will be filled with a happy life, love and loads of laughter. I wish that all may have the most amazing future ahead, if not always filled with good, then still rimmed with the possibilities of the good to come.
Our family’s own New Year was an enjoyable beach holiday in Tali Beach. Before our vacation, we celebrated our Disney-inspired theme Christmas party with charitable friends and family who were requested to come wearing any Disney costume. Best costumes won Swatch watches from Swatch grand dame Virgie Ramos.
Generous friends like Bench’s Ben Chan, Gardenia Bread’s Digzy Umali, and Hearts and Bells Bakeshop’s Marita Laddaran shared lots of giveaways for all the guests. We also had gifts from Heliocare, Freeway, Happy Skin and Watsons.
Specially mixed cocktail drinks from Manille Liqueur were served as well as Beringer wines. These excellent wines from Napa Valley, California, were recently introduced to the Philippine market.
Napa Valley wines
The Beringer Brothers, Jacob and Frederick, first saw America in the 1850s as a land brimming with potential. Thus, upon arriving in Napa, the brothers were reminded of the wine regions of their native Germany.
By 1876, they established Beringer Vineyards with a dream of making wines that would rival the finest in Europe. They laid down roots and put in the time and hard work it takes to turn a dream into something more meaningful.
Today, Jacob Beringer’s great great-grandson Mark Beringer guides what is California’s longest continually operating winery and one of Napa’s finest producers. With over 1,600 acres farmed across Napa’s best appellations as well as Sonoma County and Paso Robles, Beringer today is recognized as one of the region’s preeminent producers with a rich portfolio of wines.
Guided by the same vision and legacy of his forebears, Mark came to Manila to share the brand’s provenance by holding a series of exciting wine events that highlight the excellence that has made Beringer a global brand.
M Café was a fitting venue to showcase some of the most outstanding wines from the extensive Beringer portfolio.
The day’s activities began with an afternoon master class conducted by Mark Beringer, fifth generation chief winemaker. Shared for their discriminating palates’ appreciation were stellar wines that included Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Private Reserve Chardonnay 2013, Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Napa Valley Merlot 2014, Beringer Founders’ Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2014 and Beringer Founders’ Estate Pinot Noir 2014.
Live music and al fresco cocktails featuring Beringer Sparkling White Zinfandel delighted guests as host Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi commenced the short program with speaker Katherine Yao-Santos, president of Happy Living Wines welcoming all.
Opening remarks by US Agriculture Counselor Ralph Bean were followed by Mark as keynote speaker. Also on this occasion, grand winner for the Beringer social media promo, #BetterBeckons, was awarded a free trip to the Beringer Napa Valley Winery in California.
‘Etiquette for Soshal Climbers’
Speaking of social media, The Soshal Network (TNS) has come out with their first book, “Etiquette for Soshal Climbers!” Camille Buhain, Faye Condez, and Vivian Tan-dela Cruz, through Summit Books, have put together their best blog hits and some new material for their equally wacky readers.
The book launch recently held at National Book Store in Glorietta 1 was attended by TSN’s friends, family, fellow-writers and bloggers, other influencers, and of course, the TSN fans.
Some of TSN’s favorite celebrities also sent their video messages of congratulations. Others, like Jason Magbanua, even took the time to create online videos to help promote the launch days prior to the event.
Entertaining host Ian Galliguez introduced the bloggers-turned-authors who did a surprise opening number. The very soshal affair included specially packed loot bags, a carefully curated merienda cena buffet, and, of course, a book signing.
“Etiquette for Soshal Climbers” is now the ultimate guide to help readers reach the height of kasoshalan! The book gives instructions on the basics of soshalizing, from the no-fail rules, must-learn terms, and helpful tips that will help anyone navigate the soshal lifestyle.
After meeting this hilarious trio exactly a year ago, I have become “Tita Tessa” to them, highlighting their social scene. They included a special chapter about our lunch and a daster fashion transformation showdown.
Visit www.thesoshalnetwork. com. Follow Summit Books on Facebook, @SummitBooks on and @summit.books on Instagram.
Healing pointers
In closing, I want to share some healing pointers that I learned from Academy for Wholistic Healing Arts. Before the Chinese New Year is celebrated on Jan. 28, do activities of Cosmic Seeding like community service, charity and acts of kindness and forgiveness to energize the good chi of the Year of the Rooster.
Align your chakras by meditating and praying so positive energy will flow from within and strengthen the inner peace. And lastly, be happy and be a positive and inspiring being to others.
