Super achiever and my palangga Isabel Martel Francisco recently turned 18 and was introduced to society at the upscale Red Resto of the Makati Shangri-La.

The debut bash was excellently supervised by her mother, the publisher of Philippine Tatler magazine, Irene Martel Francisco. She saw to it that everything went perfectly well, from the to-die-for dinner menu and desserts to the short speeches, dahlings, by famille members, the celebrator’s close pals and classmates, who all came in full force.

For extras, the bash was held on the birthday of the celebrator’s father, top cardiologist Dr. Randy Francisco, as well as the birthday of her close pal, Henny Zobel.

Eye-catching floral arrangements of pink roses, fuchsia celosias, light pink carnations and green hydrangeas set the tone of the debut party.

The party started off with cocktails, as DJ Mars Miranda played chill music. Dinner followed and while dining, a Powerpoint presentation made by the debutante’s mother played in the background, showing memorable moments in Isabel’s exciting growing-up life, dahlings.

In the end, Randy gave a toast to her daughter. Ayala’s Jaime Augusto Zobel also gave a toast.

“Irene and I are extremely thankful and grateful on how Isabel has grown up to be such a fine lady, with an admirable sense of commitment to causes and projects she values that includes the Habitat for Humanity projects,” said Randy.

Après the ceremonies, the invitees moved indulged on the calorific, but superb dessert buffet. Later the younger set dashed to Prive for a night of more dancing and celebrating.

To Isabel, may all your dreams of happiness, good health and success come true!

Cheers, dahling!

W/17

Most of Manille’s alta sociedad ushered in a prosperous 2012 in stylish elegance at W/17, amid a backdrop of class and sophistication that fittingly defined the luxe home store.

Hosting the affair were top interior stylist Andy Vásquez-Prada and vibrant and smart Kaye Tinga. The two business partners welcomed us at their swanky home store that had all the invitees agog over this gorgeous warehouse, converted into one of the best home furniture and furnishing stores in town.

It was the perfect way to ring in what the business partners called as “luck and prosperity in the Year of the Dragon,” within a lavish setting.

W/17 was, indeed, the perfect place to see and be seen in with its rich awesome collection of furniture and home decor.

The grand opening became an instant store tour as Andy and Kaye gladly showed the invitees the beautiful pieces displayed inside W/17.

The store actually had a soft opening last December, which also became the occasion for a birthday bash for lifestyle entrepreneur Ricco Ocampo.

Andy and Kaye said their store answers the need of homeowners “who want luxury inside their homes at an affordable price.”

“With our bespoke approach to homes,” they said, “we at W/17 inspire customers to achieve individuality for their homes by letting them customize the pieces that they want.”

“The store itself is a showcase of East and West, modern and old-world, so customers will definitely have a wide range of pieces to choose from,” they added.

“We are ensuring that W/17 stays true to fair trade principles while helping local communities who are into furniture-making, keeping in mind the value of social responsibility,” Kaye Tinga happily told us.

Gracing the formal opening of W/17 was internationally renowned designer Monique Lhuillier-Bugbee, who was in town for the holidays with her muy simpatico hubby and business partner, Tom Bugbee.

The woman behind the scenes was mi amiga, vivacious Southern belle Maricris Sangroniz Vasquez Prada. She had overseen the preparations for the grand opening. Despite working overnight, she looked fresh as a rose during the happening.

Check out W/17 on 2241 La Fuerza Compound along Chino Roces (formerly Pasong Tamo) in Makati City.

Red Cross to the rescue

Multifaceted former representative and now Philippine Red Cross Governor Carissa Coscolluela spearheaded the organization’s relief efforts for victims of Typhoon “Sendong” in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

Carissa went on a charity tour raising millions of pesos and tons of relief goods to provide the needs of the victims of the disaster.

She was able to tap the generous hearts of her famille and close friends, such as her grandmother  Liding Oledan’s Marram Foundation.

Also contributing to the fund-raising campaign were the chic Mango store through Ayie Gualberto and Michelle Sandejas; employees of the Asian Development Bank, led by Nikki Badelles; SunPower led by Ana David-Coscolluela; the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan headed by Deo Custodio; Mayor Joet Garcia; Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corp,  through Candy Ting.

Bravo to the Philippine Red Cross and its volunteers and staff, headed by its energetic and hard-working chair, former Sen. Dick Gordon, who makes sure that the Red Cross is, “Always first! Always ready! Always there!”

Take that well-deserved bow, Red Cross.