When one of his best-of-best pals, Pepper Teehankee, celebrated his birthday, interior designer Anton R. Mendoza threw open the doors of his elegant home for a dinner bash, dahlings.

We were greeted at the living room with the heavenly mixture of Anton M’s noted scented-candle collections and aperitifs, placed on the huge coffee table. Guests picked their pick from the five kinds of finger-food and spreads.

Then it was time to dash to the buffet spread behind the dining table, which was divinely set up with one of Anton M’s countless high-end-brand porcelains and utensils.

In keeping with the “not-at-all-healthy-choice” theme for dinner, served were kare-kare from Carla Tengco, lechon from Veana Araneta Fores, calorific two cakes for dessert from renowned jeweler Linda Oledan, palanggas.

For some of us “health buffs,” served were the fresh lumpia from Carla T, yummy pancit from Joji Dingcong, superb salad from Cirkulo Resto, and from the host, the to-die-for Hainanese Chicken that he orders from Tao Yuan Resto, of which I can overdose for months, dahlings.

Then it was time to indulge in alcohol, such as vodka, martini, tequila and, naturellement, lots of Moet Chandon Pink Champagne.

The drinks were a perfect way of saying “thank you” to our celebrator, Pepper Teehankee, and the host, Anton Mendoza, for a wonderful filling night, dahlings.

Rip Curl opens

My good-looking nephew JV Borromeo, managing director of Stoked Inc., proudly opened the first Rip Curl Concept Store in the Philippines at Alabang Town Center mall. Theme of the launch was “Rockin’ farewell to summer.”

After welcoming the die-hard group of action sports enthusiasts and ocean-loving individuals, JV said: “Rip Curl’s vision is to be the ultimate surfing company in all respects, so we put together a Rip Curl shop that is inspired by that wonderful sense of discovery we call The Search. It’s a shop that pulsates with adventure, travel and youth.”

Stoked and Rip Curl began their partnership in 2011, dahlings.

“This 90-sq-m store is home to the finest apparel and gear, whether you want to surf, wake, skate, or look simply awesome enjoying the beach life,” said Lorraine Lapus, Rip Curl Philippines’ brand manager. “It’s also a great place to meet up and hang out with your friends, to immerse you in the beach life.”

Trés visible were the Stoked Girls, who advocate action sports, love for the ocean, and a healthy positive lifestyle.

“A year ago, we conceptualized the Stoked Girls with a clear mandate,” said JV Borromeo. “We wanted to showcase active girls filled with  positive attitude; a sense of adventure, and youthful energy, to break the flawed perception that surfing, wakeboarding and skating were male-dominated action sports.

“We also produced our own Stoked Inc. Lookbooks to videos, to leverage the strength of social media to reach even millions, in a cool way,” added JV. “With this fresh, fast-changing platform, we highlighted the Stoked Girls ideal by placing them in a dynamic environment, living a healthy and adventurous, lifestyle. The response has been epic. With that in mind, we hope they will inspire many.”

Then it was time to rock and roll and ride the surf on dry grounds, with yummies and drinks flowing, thanks to Tides Grill and Bistro.

JV then told me: “It’s really been an awesome surf season, Maurice, and all this is merely a glimpse of our continuing journey as we chase adventures and The Search with Rip Curl.”

See, moi told you he was a dedicated beach enthusiast. I’ve seen him leaving his sprawling home at Forbes Park on weekends to head to the beach house in Batangas with his wife, Marivic Bayot O., and kids.

Everyone is looking forward to the Stoked spirit spreading its wings across the 7,107 islands of the country in the years to come. Yeah, go for it and live The Search, palanggas.

Mega’s most beautiful

Mega, one of the best fashion magazines in the country, presented this year’s “Most Beautiful Women” during the launch of its “Big Beauty Issue” issue.

Before the presentation, my adorable “cousin,” Sari Yap, Mega’s editor in chief, said: “These women emerged as the highest standard of beauty, enduring all fires of adversity. Beauty is personified in 20 faces with their unique allure, captivating the senses of everyone around them.”

Who were the chosen ones? Audrey Tan-Zubiri led the roll call, followed by Random House-published author Samantha Sotto; supermodels Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez, Rissa Mananquil-Trillo and Teresa Herrera; photographer Jo Ann Bitagcol; eye-catching show-biz personalities G. Toengi, Bianca Gonzales and Angel Aquino; Mega’s May cover girl Maja Salvador; An and En Estrada; Camille Tantoco, Sarah Gaugler, Vanessa Amman, Steph Kienle, Nicole Tantoco, Alisa Sazanova, Sabrina Artadi and Marga Valdes Trinidad.

This awesome happening was held at the newly opened Mango Tree on Bonifacio High Street, where the glam invitees breezed in with a touch of gold (the dress code), dahlings.

More info? Visit www.megastyle.ph; Mega on Facebook (www.facebook.com/megamagazine); and on Twitter (www.twitter.com/mega_magazine).