We welcome March with an explosion of excitement, as this month is Women’s Month, and two special women in our family are celebrating milestones. Sister-in-law Ria Prieto hits four decades, while sister Sandy Romualdez marks five.
There was much to rejoice as well among my Zumba Zbabes girl friends, as four of them jointly celebrated at Prive Luxury Club with a Roaring 20s-theme party. All dressed in bedazzling beaded flapper dresses and feathers, Steffi Chiongbian, Tippi Tambunting, Marilu Batchelor and Marie Quisumbing hosted an all-out dance party with DJ music and the Mulatto Band. It was a fun-filled dancing marathon, with flowing bubbly, that we will always remember.
Renewal of vows
Another memorable milestone was Abet and Pinky Antonio’s 25th wedding anniversary and renewal of vows held at beautiful Balesin Island Club. Over 150 family and friends flew in for an unforgettable three-day celebration.
The festivities started with welcome cocktails at the Greek-theme Balesin Spa, accentuated by a band of half-naked Spartans! Beautiful DJ Jessica Milner was on deck for some chill-out, island music. An Italian Valentine dinner was prepared for all at the Toscana Garden courtyard, complete with an acoustic band to serenade everyone.
Art and Pinky renewed their vows at the quaint Balesin Chapel at sunset. The reception followed at the island’s Royal Villas. The program was headed by their children Chany, Chuckie, Chelsea and Chicco. The highlight was an original song written by the children for their parents.
Another milestone was recently celebrated at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) to kick off the preparations for its 50th anniversary next year. The AIM parking lot was transformed into a luxe venue, complete with a red-carpet entrance, elegant sofas and classy chandeliers. Guests were treated to delicious cocktails, wine and champagne to toast the success of the pioneer school in Asian management education.
Paolo Bediones, who I found out is currently taking a Master in Entrepreneurship course at AIM, was the host for the night. The festivities were led by the very elegant Dr. Jikyeong Kang, AIM president and dean. Founding father Washington SyCip, AIM board of trustees and board of governors chair Polly Nazareno, and members of the founding families, Oscar Lopez and Bud Sorensen, graced the occasion.
Other members of the AIM board of trustees and board of governors, dignitaries, faculty, alumni and guests were also present to celebrate this significant milestone in AIM’s rich history.
It was a truly special night as it marked the launching of AIM’s new logo, which shows how the school is responding to our changing times and moving forward. AIM alumni, like my beloved sister Sandy, are so lucky they’ll get to enjoy a mobile app with a logo that “moves with the times.”
Jewelry and timepieces
Next weekend is quite exciting, with so many activities happening in and out of the city. Salcedo Auctions is holding a sale of Fine Jewelry & Timepieces on March 12, 2 p.m.
Its first fine jewelry and timepieces sale this 2017 opens with the color of the year, green, with three scintillating emerald pieces: a 10.69-carat, deep green, Colombian emerald and diamond sautoir, a fine emerald and diamond serpentine necklace, and, from the celebrated house of Cartier, an 18k yellow gold and emerald “Elephant” demi-parure.
Many other beautiful pieces are part of the auction, too.
Highlights of the timepieces collection includes rare Rolex watches, such as a Daytona Reference 6263 in yellow gold; and an important and extremely rare Rolex 5513 Military Submariner circa 1970s. Grand complications are represented by a mint Patek Philippe Reference 5140 perpetual calendar in white gold, complemented by an elegant Patek Philippe annual calendar in yellow gold.
Visit www.salcedoauctions.com for more info.
International music fest
March is for music lovers, with the Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival on March 10-12 in Puerto Galera, Mindoro. The annual contemporary international music festival is the longest standing and most sustainable of its kind in the country.
The Malasimbo Amphitheater, a grassy hill overlooking the lights of the town, will be showcasing an outstanding lineup of artists from jazz, soul, reggae and many more genres. The music fest is produced by Volume Unit Entertainment and hosted by D’Aboville Foundation.
Among the featured artists are Alfredo Rodriguez, an Afro-Cuban jazz pianist and protégé of Quincy Jones; Jordan Rakei, soul jazz artist from Australia; and the outstanding Canadian electronic music artist Tennyson. Local ensembles include Apartel, Jeck Pilpil & Peacepipe, Brass Pas Pas Pas Pas, Similar Objects, crwn, Curtismith, RH Xanders, sKarm, Moophs and Microphone Mechanics.
Proceeds from Malasimbo support D’Aboville Foundation projects, including its community programs with indigenous Mangyans and ecoprojects such as mangrove planting. The foundation also supports the Liter of Light workshop aimed at Mangyan homes. For more info, visit www.dabovillefoundation.org.
Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival 2017 is co-presented by FOX International Channels, Star World and Channel [V], and supported by its official media partners: ANC, CNN Philippines, Explore Philippines Magazine, MYX, Our Awesome Planet, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Scout Magazine, Primer Media, Radio Republic, Rappler, Choose PH, One Music PH and WhenInManila.com.
For more information about Malasimbo 2017,
follow @malasimbofestival on Facebook and Instagram, and @malasimbofest on Twitter.
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