“Cultivate relationships and love with a strong moral compass.” —Ryan Holiday

October marks the start of socials season with The Pink Ball and Red Charity Gala, milestone celebrations like the Corporate International Travel and Tours Inc.’s (Citti) 30th anniversary and AA Patawaran’s book launch, and world-class exhibits like Manila Fame, Likhang Habi Market Fair and Flair Mega Pop-Up.

With my social calendar so full this month of October, I am happy to also attend the annual Velada Homecoming of Assumption College and wear my school uniform for a day!

The Estée Lauder Companies reaffirms its commitment to the Philippine breast cancer community through its Breast Cancer Campaign by raising P9.65 million during The Pink Ball. The funds will support the expansion of a free breast cancer screening program for underserved communities in Metro Manila, led by St. Luke’s Medical Center Foundation.

Auction

With the support of Red Charity Gala cochairs Kaye Tiñga and yours truly, Tim Yap, Yaparazzi Events and PR, Shangri-La The Fort, Moss Manila and One Mega Group, The Estée Lauder Companies Pink Ball united industry leaders and distinguished personalities in its mission to help create a breast cancer-free world for all. Raising funds in support of St. Luke’s Medical Center Foundation, the Ball included a live auction of items generously donated by partners.

Notable items included art pieces from Katrina Cuenca, Kenneth Montegrande, Carlo Tanseco and Patrick Coard. Other highlights included a 10- to-12-millimeter semibaroque gold pearls Jewelmer strand, a portrait photography session with BJ Pascual, a 500-milliliter limited edition Crème de La Mer and vacation packages from Shangri-La, Philippine Airlines, Sunlight Air and Sunlight Ecotourism resort.

Sharyn Wong, country general manager of The Estée Lauder Companies Philippines, presented the donation to Dr. Benjamin SA Campomanes, president of St. Luke’s Medical Center Foundation Inc.

The Pink Ball also featured performances from The Opera Belles, Jade Riccio, Carla Guevara Laforteza and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), including an opening performance by Anya Lagman alongside the PPO. Anya performed a song titled “Together as One,” which she composed exclusively for The Estée Lauder Companies, aligning with the theme of this year, “Beautifully United to Help End Breast Cancer.”

For this year’s Red Charity Gala, we have prepared a lineup of equally talented artists including Carla Guevera Laforteza, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, and Arman Ferrer. After that, the live auction with my partner Tim Yap will hopefully raise funds for Philippine Red Cross, Assumption HS 1981 Foundation, and Hope for Lupus Foundation.

Transcending boundaries

Many milestones are celebrated this time of the year, and one of them is the Citti’s 30th anniversary. The night was themed “Citti @ 30: Beyond Borders” and it perfectly captured Citti’s three-decade legacy of transcending boundaries in the travel industry.

The Rigodon Ballroom of The Peninsula Manila was filled with themed tablescapes of famous destinations. The night was filled with highlights, starting with the much-anticipated rebranding of Citti, complete with the launch of its stunning new logo. Guests were also introduced to Citti Elite, a sister company specializing in luxury travel, which promises to take discerning clients on bespoke journeys of a lifetime. The company also announced the opening of its new corporate office at Tektite, Ortigas.

The excitement reached new heights during the raffle, with coveted prizes such as a Ponant cruise to Bora Bora and a Lapland land arrangement, which had guests dreaming of their next adventure.

For his special milestone, AA Patawaran threw a recent party hosted by Joel and Carla del Prado at Chef Alain Bistrot and Brasserie in BGC, Taguig, in celebration of the 12th anniversary of his book, “Write Here Write Now” (Anvil Publishing).

It was a gathering of friends more than a book launch, although the 12th anniversary edition, previously unveiled at the Manila International Book Fair, replete with a new look, updated content and 10 new chapters, was the toast of the evening.

In his column, the late National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose wrote, “AA Patawaran circulates in a much wider circle than most writers—the chi chi crowd included—and has excellent chances of writing about it as Truman Capote and Tom Wolfe did on New York’s café society.”

Among his friends present at the book party were publisher Xandra Ramos, Ambassadors Ioannis Pediotis of Greece and Ricardo Bocalandro of Argentina with their respective wives Aliki Pappas and Maria Elena Urriste, and many more.

Shopping options

This weekend starts the Christmas shopping experience at the Manila FAME. Apart from all the furniture and home furnishings offered, Manila Fame also showcases different products from the different regions of the country.

At the opening of Manila FAME, I marveled at the booth of Genteel Home, a lifestyle brand that curates tailored furniture pieces. Genteel Home founder and principal designer Katrina Blanca de Leon collaborated with architect Royal Pineda for the Ugnayan Collection.

Each Ugnayan piece features diverse and flexible materials and design elements that are inspired by today’s Filipino culture. Woven textures, carved wood and fluid lines reflect the rich heritage of Filipino architecture interplayed with contemporary aesthetics. This collaboration truly unites artistry, quality and innovation.

Other shopping options this weekend are the Flair Pop-Up at The Fifth at Rockwell and the Likhang Habi Market Fair at Glorietta Activity Center. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Flair Mega Pop-Up Bazaar has 180 premium brands showcasing the best of local craftsmanship. There are local fashion brands, makeup products, and pastries and desserts. Check out their Instagram (@flairpopup) for more details.

Likhang Habi Market Fair supports all the different local weavers and artisans. Go shop and also support their crafts. Check out their Instagram (@habicouncil) for the list of their merchants and vendors. INQ

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