And surprise, indeed, was in the face of Kaye Chua Tinga when she was welcomed to the surprise birthday party perfectly planned by her hubby, Rep. Freddie Tinga of Taguig.
Friends from way back and her closest of pals came in early to make sure they were there before the celebrator breezed in the gorgeous home of Maricris Sonsones and husband Andy Vazquez Prada. When she came in, Kaye was greeted with the “Happy Birthday” song and serenaded with her favorite songs.
Après it was time to attack the to-die-for Moroccan dinner superbly prepared by Maricris.
Among the namedroppables moi spotted were Korina Sanchez-Roxas, Pepito Albert, Mons Romulo, Anton San Diego and Henri Calayag.
Great food and the right company made the bash a smashing success, dahlings.
Fashion Watch ender
The year-ender was a sneak peek of Spring/Summer 2012 by 20 designers.
Après cocktails, the show got on a roll. We were completely amazed and proud of the creations, from the avant-garde and edgy and androgynous works, to dainty gowns with impeccable design and craftsmanship.
The A-list designers were backed by a creative team that included Patrick Rosas, “the force” behind hair and makeup; project coordinator Grace Molina and Manille’s prince of alta moda himself, Inno Sotto, who was creative director.
Fashion Watch, founded by Sotto and his soul mate, the late Richard Tann, now serves “as an avenue for promising young designers to showcase their talent,” said Molina. “It is now setting the bar for homegrown trends in Philippine fashion with designer clothes and exclusive collections that won’t be seen in any other fashion show in the country.”
Fashion Watch 2011 was presented by Olay and Makati Shangri-La. Major sponsors were BMW and Metro Pacific Investments.
Collezione-C2 collection
Manille’s best-known style-players were all accounted for, along with a handful of gatecrashers. But then, who cares, di bala?
The important thing is they were all at the Peninsula Manila’s Rigodon Ballroom for the unveiling of the holiday collection of our very own Filipino retail brand, Collezione-C2, palanggas.
Welcoming the invitees were, naturellement, Collezione-C2 president Joey Qua, the brand’s über-talented creative director Rhett Eala, and the brand ambassadors—Azkals James and Phil Younghusband, Anton del Rosario and Nate Burkey.
The Azkals walked the ramp wearing the ultra-hip pieces from the collection, sponsored by premium brands Sebago, Shiseido, Belvedere Vodka, Joanique and Nicole Whisenhunt.
The brand presented smashing must-haves such as its signature classic separates and day-to-night dresses of its exclusive women’s line, DUE|Collezione.
Yes, dahlings, Collezione-C2’s Holiday Collection truly did prove that fashion knows no bounds. It’s available at Greenbelt 5, Power Plant Mall and Eastwood Mall and other popular malls around the city.
New law address
The grand bash opened with the ribbon snipping by Ambassador Rod Smith of Australia, Aurora Calderon of Petron Corp., Mike Ross of G4S Holding Inc. and Benita Macalagay of The Medical City.
Breezing and socializing around, one couldn’t help but spot namedroppables such as Ambassador Ivo Sieber of Switzerland, Sangram Mohanty of Global Steel, Alfredo Mendoza and Capt. Banny Brines, both of Multinational Maritime Inc., and Pin Cojuangco-Guingona of Primo Asia.
But the eye-catcher of this happening was the managing partner, lawyer Ma. Romela M. Bengzon, natch!
All of the partners, associates and staffers—lawyers Manolito S. Soller, Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II, Eduardo Jerome T. Alejandro, Shantel P. Aceret, Cristy B. Dizon-Victorio and Ma. Theresa M. Abarientos—naturellement expressed their deepest gratitude to everyone for celebrating the event with them, dahlings.