Milan’s famous ristorante Paper Moon (not to be confused with the boutique-café of the same name) is now in Manila, palangga. The restaurant opened in a gorgeous roof deck setting at the Knightsbridge Residences in Century City, a few steps from Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City (tel. 7938630).
Paper Moon is Edi Tekeli’s newest passion project and marks his return to Manille after many years of living abroad. He opened the restaurant with longtime friend and Century Properties chair, special envoy to the US José E.B. Antonio and Hilda Reyes Antonio.
After fashion retail, and knowing that Manila’s restaurant scene has become more vibrant, Tekeli felt he had found a gem in Paper Moon. He wanted to bring this rare culinary experience to the Philippines.
Paper Moon has also opened in Istanbul and Doha.
The grand opening in Century City coincided with Tekeli’s birthday party. He said the event was his way of expressing gratitude to friends who’ve been supporting his endeavors, such as when he brought retail brands Guess and Mango to the country.
Among the guests were ambassadors from Italy, Massimmo Roscigno; Britain, Asif Ahmad; Singapore, Kok Li Peng; Canada, John Holmes.
Also in attendance were Rep. Tonyboy Floirendo, Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco Sr. and New York-based physician Norman San Agustin.
Enrica del Rosso, who cofounded Paper Moon in 1977 with husband Pio Galligani, graced the affair and was happy to see the impeccable style touches in the restaurant.
Tekeli is said to be opening more Paper Moon outlets in Southeast Asia.
Rustan’s Portugal fest
Rustan’s, in partnership with the Consulate of Portugal, recently launched “Portugal Divino!”—a celebration of Portuguese arts and crafts.
At the opening, Anton Huang of Stores Specialists Inc. welcomed guests of honor led by honorary consul of Portugal to the Philippines Tony Rufino.
Huang and Rufino later led the toast, along with Rustan’s VP for home merchandising and buying division Marilen Tantoco, Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna Feria, award-winning Portuguese artist Arlinda Frota and Portuguese designer Ricardo Preto.
On exhibit at Rustan’s Makati were Frota’s ceramic paintings. On May 26 to June 6, they will be on display at Rustan’s Shangri-la Plaza.
Milestone
Ricky Delgado Jr. of Isla LPG Inc. (ILC), the company behind LPG brand Solane (www.solane.com.ph), led its recent fifth anniversary celebration.
“Solane has been here only for five years but we’ve already done so much,” Delgado said. “This company is respected for what it does well, and I think that if you look at how far we have come, it’s really because of the same strategy we have kept from the start—reliability safety, and we take what we say seriously.”
Also toasting Solane’s milestone were Ruben Domingo, ILC chief executive officer; Shoichi Watanabe, Isla Petroleum and Gas (IPG) CEO; Willie Sarmiento, IPG chief finance officer; Tonito Gonzalez, ILC general manager for sales; and Yuji Fukuda and Keisuke Oba.
Outstanding employees were handed awards: Team Ace Awards were given to the Bulk and Commercial Team. Account Manager of the Year was Haidee Alverne of the Vismin Team. Eagle Awards were given to Gigi Indangan, Regie Reyes, and Ricky Estolas, Jr. from the ILC operations staff.
