My goodness, have the “ber” months arrived? Are we going to hear Christmas carols in the malls soon? I can never get used to caroling so early, since for me, August and September are for birthdays and anniversaries, and not Christmas parties.
One recent natal day was that of Bench King Ben Chan. His birthday was extra special as it coincides with Bench’s 25th anniversary. Now the country’s largest clothing chain, Bench is holding its massive Bench Universe Party at the Arena in two weeks.
Ben had a way more understated affair at the newly opened Las Flores Restaurant (tel. 5522815) at One McKinley Plaza at The Fort. At the gathering, Ben was surrounded with his family and wonderful friends, who all enjoyed the delicious tapas and Spanish cocktails.
The best thing about eating tapas is, everyone can share so many dishes in small portions, washing it all down with generous glasses of Sangria. The paella is also to die for at this well-designed restaurant, by good friend Anton Barretto. The Spanish owners also serve as waiters, making for an extra-delicious experience!
JC Buendia’s bash
Another recent silver anniversary was for timeless fashion designer JC Buendia, celebrating his years “of friendship and love” in the industry. Metro Society and Tresemmé presented “JC Buendia 25th,” a fashion show of his 2012 collection at Marriott Hotel Manila.
The celebration showcased JC’s beautifully elegant work, his inspiration drawn from movies and the people who have been a big part of his life journey. Metro Society editor in chief Raul Manzano was delighted to spotlight JC as a rare treasure. The magazine is proud of the ingenuity and talent of this very humble and charming designer.
His collection featured a modern twist with some indigenous and romantic touches. The fashion show featured five suites with 10 pieces each. The first suite had Victorian- and Romantic-inspired designs, while the second suite drew inspiration from famous movies of the ’50s.
The third suite featured pieces of precision tailoring for women of power, and the fourth suite showcased menswear designs worn by young handsome sons of JC’s friends, such as Patricia Cu-Unjieng and Marissa Lopa. The final suite unveiled dramatic gowns inspired by the dresses of oriental cultures.
JC is currently the president of the Fashion & Design Council of the Philippines. He has also served as presidential designer for two administrations. After the fashion show, we all had a hearty delicious dinner at Cru in Marriott Hotel. Their steaks and grilled seafood are the best in town.
Biggest names
Indeed, the local fashion industry has had a cavalcade of major events. The 2nd Philippine Fashion Ball collected the biggest names in the industry. The Peninsula Hotel Manila hosted a night of elegance and fun, with glorious entrance walks along a long black carpet at the entrance to the hotel’s Rigodon Ballroom.
Style guru Raymund Gutierrez, premier model and PMAP president Phoemela Baranda, and famed eventologist Tim Yap hosted the fashion extravaganza. The festivities opened with a generous donation to Philippine Red Cross from the event sponsors.
Awards were given, such as the Belvedere Best Dressed of the Night, given to Oliver Abrenica and Pauline Prieto, and the O+ Stars of the Night, given to Miko Raval and Angel Jacob. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Mark and Sandy Higgins of Slim’s.
The success of the night was made possible by the generous support of Belvedere, the world’s first super premium vodka, exciting the flock of fashion faithful with the finest concoctions; and O+, the US-based producer of revolutionary technology and the foremost purveyor of sleek, innovative and re-imagined technology.
Fashionable ceramic line
From fashionable style, we move to fashionable ceramic line. Kibu Design Concepts has launched Ecocarat, a functional interior ceramic line created by Japan’s Lixil Corp., at its stylish showroom on Ortigas Avenue, Greenhills.
Attending the opening were distinguished guests from Japan such as Keiji Oshima and Yoshinori Tanaka of Lixil Corp. and Yoshio Amano of Mitsubishi Corp.
Avant-garde showroom designer Noel Bernardo likened the place to that of a chic art gallery with its minimal aesthetics and modern design, showcasing Ecocarat as pieces of art. The specialty ceramic tiles have impressive features like water and odor absorption.
Positive Pinoy values
It is also fashionable to promote positive Filipino values and social responsibility. Jollibee continues to do this through the 2nd Jollibee Family Values Awards (JFVA).
A roundtable discussion in Eastwood Richmonde Hotel was done with the topic “The Filipino Family in the Digital Age,” to formally launch the search for the five exemplary families. Jollibee chose family welfare advocates as panelists, among them lawyer and media personality Adel Tamano, entrepreneur and proud mom Audrey Tan-Zubiri, marriage counselor Maribel Sison-Dionisio, and Jollibee VP for marketing Albert Cuadrante.
They discussed the role of today’s technology—such as social media, texting and the Internet—in shaping family values. Also joining the discussion was technology expert Jerry Liao of Infochat.
Jollibee Foundation president Grace Tan-Caktiong will sit as chairperson of the Board of Judges. Completing the board of judges are Fr. Allan Abuan of the Center of Family Ministries, DSWD Undersecretary Alicia Bala, academician and columnist Dr. Queena Lee-Chua and Jollibee VP for human resources Theresa Jotie.
