One of our town’s top A-list couples, Mikee Romero and Sheila Bermudez Romero, delivered with style the First Romero Polo Cup at the Manila Polo Club, dahlings. Namedroppables from the social registry, from politicians to business leaders, watched a rare event that celebrated high society’s favored sport—polo!
This inaugural polo match saw Team Red win over Team Blue. Rookie M. Romero scored three of the winning team’s goals, sealing his undeniably stylish entry into the “Sport of Kings.” And he was warmly welcomed by players and supporters, especially since he has been a longtime supporter of Philippine sports; he, in fact, heads the Philippine National Shooting Association, no less, dahlings.
The final tally registered 9-7, as polo veterans Anthony Garcia, Iñigo Zobel and Manot Montilla led Team Red to victory. Montilla scored two quick goals, followed by teammates Garcia and Zobel who contributed a goal each.
The invitees, looking cool in luxe resort wear, enjoyed the breezy afternoon. Champagne and hors d’oeuvres from Mike and Sheila Romero’s Oracle Hotel and Residences overflowed during the aprés bash.
Rep. Martin Romualdez and Rex Gatchalian and International Olympic Committee Philippine representative Frank Elizalde were visibly pleased over the First Romero Polo Cup.
Polo-watching were head-turner newlyweds Rep. Roman Romulo and Councilor Shalani Soledad; Greggy Araneta, Monique Toda, Audrey Zubiri, among others, palanggas.
Adding fashion to the glitzy game was a Folded & Hung fashion show and an awarding ceremony with Manila Polo Club president Roman Azanza Jr., Air Asia president Maan Hontiveros and F&H president Ronald Pineda handing out the trophies and Cup to the winners.
Well, dahlings, that’s what an afternoon of Polo-watching is all about, n’est ces pas?
Van Laack opens in Manila
That chi-chi brand known for its luxurious design, Escada, had a grand bash to announce it has now an equivalent men’s line—Van Laack—that offers loads of selection of crisp men’s shirts. After all, palanggas, Van Laack is “luxury next to the skin.”
And take note, dahlings, Van Laack offers “made-to-measure services for customized tailoring that guarantees precision fit from collars to cuff,” explained brand CEO Christian Von Daniels, après the formal ribbon snipping, which had as its guest of honor German Ambassador Dr. Joachim Heidorn. Assisting him were Van Laack Philippine partner Marilou Peña Koa and marketing director Johnlu Koa of the in-demand French Baker, no less, and Van Laack Singapore retail manager Jason Low and sales director for Asia Pacific Andreas Lerchbaumer.
During the launch, an excellent selection of hors d’oeuvres and canapés were meticulously prepared as expected by the French Baker, with flowing Van Laack chilled champagne, dahlings. As expected, too, the whole Koa and Peña clan came in full force to support Marilou and Johnlu’s newest venture, natch!
Heinrich van Laack was established in 1881, with the sole vision to manufacture the world’s most luxurious shirts, with a high level of workmanship and a love of detail. Known for its made-to-measure shirts, Van Laack reflects true exclusivity and luxury that only a Van Laack bespoke shirt can deliver,” superbly explained by the woman of the hour, adorable Marilou P. Koa, dahlings.
Van Laack is at G/F Greenbelt 5, Makati.
An awesome bienvenida (as in, welcome back) dinner was tendered at the Tivoli of the Mandarin Oriental for philanthropist, la simpatica Nene “Lady Q” Quimson, the gracious widow of former Philippine Ambassador to the Court of St. James, Ambassador John Quimson.
Visibly enjoying the whole night was British Ambassador Stephen Lillie. Others who feted Lady Q were Ronnie Concepcion, Ambassadors Jesus “Chuching” Tambunting and Lani Bernardo, and banker OV Espiritu, naturellement.
Getting more than a thumbs-up from the VIPs was the totally exquisite one-of-a-kind menu prepared by Tivoli executive sous chef Remi Vercelli , capped off by the yum-yummy Halo-Halo 2012, a matchless version of the original Filipino native ice concoction, dahlings.
Entertaining the guests were Mandarin Oriental Manila GM trés charmant Mark Bradford and communications director Charisse Chuidian. It was an extraordinary experience, dahlings.
Opera in Alabang
A great two-act romantic story of a love triangle unfolds in the exciting “L’ Elisir d’ Amore” by Gaetano Donizetti. It’s a two-act light romantic comedy of an opera as performed by renowned tenor Randy Gilongo and incredible soprano Elainne Marie N. Vibal, no less directed by Camille Lopez Molina.
The production is staged by the charity-oriented Filfest Cultural Foundation and Insular, with the support of DZFE 98.7 The Master’s Touch, San Miguel, Vivere, and Museo Walo.
The opera is part of “Season 5: Southern Exposure,” and will be staged on Saturday, April 14, 8 p.m., at the Insular Hall, Alabang. Tickets are at P800 and P400 with discounts for student subscribers and seniors. To reserve tickets, please call 5853823 or 0917-8177561, or e-mail filfestfoundationfyi@yahoo.com.ph.