Vicki Belo hosted the recent 40th birthday bash of her friend Tim Yap. The Miss Universe-themed party was held at the exclusively-for-members-only Manila House.
She came in her colorful “Pocahontas” costume, while her daughter Cristalle Belo Henares-Pitt wore a tuk-tuk costume inspired by what Miss Thailand wore at the 2015 Miss Universe.
Ruffa Gutierrez made a grand entrance in a mind-boggling Miss Brazil outfit complete with headdress and back feathers with light bulbs that literally stopped traffic outside the venue.
Other Belo Beauties, celebrity endorsers of the Belo Medical Group, stood out as well. Winning a Rimowa luggage as best in costume was gorgeous Iza Calzado, who wore Filipiniana à la Imelda Marcos.
Youthful Lovi Poe and her beau Chris Johnson won best pair in costume.
But it was stunning Isabelle Daza who stole the crown literally when she came wearing her mother Gloria Diaz’s own Miss Universe crown with matching cape and 1970s makeup.
I got compliments for my turn-of-the-century barong, exquisitely embroidered by Silk Cocoon. A friend who also at the party made me promise to wear it at her wedding in Europe.
But highlight of the evening was when Tim went down on his knees and proposed to his longtime beau and soul mate, el simpatico Javi Martinez.
Surrounded by close friends, the room was filled with joyful screams when Javi said, “Yes!”
Vicki beamed with pride, palangga, at what transpired.
Wine powwow
The grandest wine event in Southeast Asia celebrated its 16th edition.
“Grand Wine Experience,” held at the Marriott Manila grand ballroom, featured over 500 wines and spirits from 22 countries. The wines were paired with excellent international cuisine prepared by the chefs of Marriott Manila and Resorts World Manila.
Philippine Wine Merchants (PWM) chair Robert Lim Joseph said his group has a tourism advocacy: “To bring in more wines and spirits from all over the world for wine tasting and appreciation to encourage more visitors, local and foreign, and wine connoisseurs to attend this event and help Manille become a wine-tasting capital.”
Robert’s brothers—Ralph, Ronnie and Raymond—were also on hand to attend to guests.
The Joseph siblings hold weekly seminars on wine tasting and appreciation, as well as wine and food pairing at top hotels and at their own Wine Museum Hotel & Resto on Tramo Street, Pasay City.
The Department of Tourism and Philippine Airlines continue their partnership with PWM in the annual Grand Wine Experience.
Seen enjoying the night were wine connoisseurs such as Hans and Harry Sy, Robina Gokongwei, Kevin Tan, Louie Ysmael and Tourism’s Kat de Castro.
From the celebrity world were Pops Fernandez and Maritoni Fernandez, Christopher de Leon and wife Sandy Andolong; Anthony Pangilinan and wife Maricel Laxa, Amy Austria, Ivy Fajardo and Melissa de Leon-Joseph.
Top hoteliers in the crowd were Farid Schoucair of New World Hotel Makati and Kingson Sian of Resorts World Manila.
Johnny Revilla and Robi Joseph emceed.
Hypnotherapy
Dearest pal Sapna “Saps” Uttam recently received official certification as a clinical hypnotherapist.
Saps trained in Hong Kong for two years to get the certification.
No, palangga, hypnotherapy is not the same as hypnotism. It’s a safe, guided and proven method of going back to your inner childhood in order to unlock and free stumbling blocks to your life.
Hypnotherapy serves as a cathartic release and it is effective in treating anxiety, depression, emotional issues, family issues, loss, grievance, fears and phobias and chronic illnesses.
My close pal chef Xavier Btesh and other friends had tried several sessions with Saps, and they found them life-changing.
“I started my sessions with Saps at a not easy moment of my life,” said Btesh. “Not only has she helped me in going ahead and trusting my future, but also in getting the heaviness of the past out of my mind and shoulders and leading me to a clear and beautiful gratitude in life and who I am truly.”
Call Sapna “Saps” Uttam at 09778577788.
