The pillars of industry, business, politics, diplomacy and the legal world gathered for the cocktail reception hosted by retired Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban at his sprawling village home in honor of new Foreign Secretary Alberto F. del Rosario and new Ambassador to Japan Manuel M. Lopez, dahlings.

The reception gathered rivals in business in an atmosphere of conviviality such as PLDT head Manny Pangilinan and San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang. They were seen having a rare chitchat with former President Fidel V. Ramos.

Other industry heavyweights were the heads of the Top 3 banks—Tessie Sy Coson of Banco de Oro; George S.K. Ty (with wife Mary) of Metrobank; and Gigi Montinola of the Bank of the Philippine Islands. The three were comparing notes with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor Amando Tetangco Jr. and SSS chair Johnny Santos.

Taipan John Gokongwei was in a happy mood all night, perhaps relishing the awesome sale of his Digitel “Sun” cellular to PLDT, while his son, Cebu Pacific captain Lance was close by, discussing the “nonreciprocal open skies” rules issued by the Civil Aeronautics Board.

Lopez Group patriarch Don Oscar Lopez and wife Connie Rufino were seen talking with Management Association of the Philippines president Jun Palafox, stockbroker Yosi Tangco, Metrobank chair Antonio Abacan and the venerable Washington Sycip, palanggas.

My boss, Sandy Prieto Romualdez of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and Kevin Belmonte of the Philippine Star, were also seen talking, surely about the forthcoming 22nd Ad Congress: Sandy is chair this year.

PLDT president Napoleon Nazareno and Petron president Eric Recto were also present, dahlings.

Alex Bitong, James Reyes

Alex Bitong and James Reyes showed their awesome creations during the 2011 Fashion Watch at the Makati Shangri-La.

Bitong showed a spectacular abundance of gorgeous colors, inspired by the bird of paradise and the virgin rainforest.

Bitong explained that despite the lack of materials and fabrics in the Philippines, “I managed to carry on through dying of fabrics in order to get the material I wanted to complete this collection with bright blues, greens, reds and yellows.”

All eyes were particularly focused on gorgeous model Angel Aquino, dahlings.

The colorful collection was greeted with wild and thunderous applause from the chi-chi fashion set.

Meanwhile, James presented a very poised and composed collection inspired by Japanese minimalism, dahlings.

Reyes played with shapes and came up with small surprises with his imaginative convertible jersey cotton dress. “If you lay such dress on the floor,” the designer said, “you see a perfect circle. It gives you an illusion of the textures as if ripples of water that came out from the black-on-black and my white collection.”

“It is truly a great honor being a part of Fashion Watch, with a collection that is very close to my heart,” said Reyes.

Fashion Watch 2011 was presented by Oil of Olay, Makati Shangri-La, Stylebible.ph, BMW and Metro Pacific Investments.

Rémy Martin

Rémy Martin, the champagne of cognac, partnered with Metro Society to salute the premiere glossy mag’s 16 Men in Suits.

Introduced by Metro Society’s editor in chief Raul Manzano, the 16 personalities were recognized “for their accomplishments and personal sense of style.”

The affair also saw Rémy Martin VSOP, “the Heart of Cognac,” launching its exclusive ruby bottle edition, palanggas.

I am not a cognac drinker, palanggas, but moi must say, that après trying it at this launch, it is totally a sensory luxury—a Rémy Martin moment to be relished and shared.

After the cocktails and the presentation of the 16 gentleman, Joey Pineda, commercial manager of Remy Cointreau Phils., made remarks about the premiere cognac.

“Just as clothes make the man, with Rémy Martin, you are what you drink,” he said. “It is for these same values that Rémy Martin pays tribute and offers a toast to Metro Society’s 16 power men!”

Then, the bash got on a roll at E’s Bar at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel and wow, the men of the hour and the guests took to Rémy Martin like there was no tomorrow.