The Philippine National Red Cross’ Red Charity Gala this year was a night of elegance and sophistication what with couturier Cary Santiago presenting his origami-inspired collection.
Santiago showed a different side of his art with his très elegant gowns that had intricate pleating and lavish draping, which moi watched from the main table in the ballroom belonging to Fila’s awesome first couple, Cris Albert and Butch Albert, who were the main sponsors of the glitzy happening, palanggas.
Another highlight of the event was the auction for the benefit of the Red Cross and Assumption High School Batch 1981 Foundation, natch!
Albert, Carlo and dad Butch Albert
Big-ticket items included a Lancel bag, an exquisite Jul B. Dizon jewelry ring, a pair of business-class tickets to Bangkok courtesy of Philippine Airlines, a Sun Life package, and VIP tickets to Jennifer Lopez’s concert on Nov. 26, which were won by Cris Albert, but of course!
The highest bidder won the baccarat-crystal bottle of the ultra-premium Louis XIII Cognac, dahlings.
This was all thanks to the tandem of traffic stopper Tessa Prieto-Valdes and philanthropist Kaye Tinga.
Red Cross’ dedicated chair, former Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon, no less, welcomed the country’s hottest A-listers from business and commerce to the ball.
Before the main fashion show, there was was an avant-garde presentation from Fila, naturellement, featuring the brand’s ambassadors Georgina Wilson, Fabio Ide and Tim Yap, superbly directed by Ariel Lozada, with styling by Noel Manapat, and hair and makeup by the master, Patrick Rosas, palanggas.
Costume ball
Beautiful people checked in at the “Opus Murder Motel” in their most colorful costumes during the Opus Halloween Ball at Resorts World, dahlings.
DJs Marie Garcia, Funk Avy and Clyde Harris kept the witches and ghosts shaking the place till the crowing of the rooster.
Opus’ very own board of directors participated in the costume ball: GP Reyes came as Iron Man; Louie Ysmael had intricate face paint; Erik Cua was Sweeney Todd; Marco de Guzman and Manolet Dario were zombies; and chef Carlo Miguel was a skeleton, would you believe?
The other guests were TH (as in trying too hard or pretentious) in their costumes, but they didn’t make the eye-catching list, oops! Well, there’s always next year, when they can jump into their broomstick and fly in front of a full moon.
Models’ night
Our town’s hottest faces and bodies came in full glamorous force, dahlings, when the Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP) marked its silver anniversary with “25 Years of PMAP: The Grand Reunion.”
The awesome fashion happening was supported by Pond’s Age Miracle as well as Marriott Hotel Manila, Belvedere Vodka, Jing Monis Salon/F&H Salon, Century Properties, and Opus Club Lounge.
Among the features of the event was a photo exhibit showing the beauty of the Filipino and the Filipina across generations, “Three Visions,” by top photographers Jun de Leon and Jim and Miguel de Leon.
The exhibit also showed PMAP’s history from its humble beginnings 25 years ago.
The organization’s old and new members took part in a fashion presentation wearing the latest designs by some of the country’s most promising designers. The show was directed by Jackie Aquino, palanggas.
Host was Eric Quizon.
Special awards were given out. Paolo and Rissa Trillo were Couple of the Night, presented by Marriott Hotel Manila; Marco Lobregat and Jing Monis were Belvedere’s Most Stylish Man and Most Outstanding Man; and Danica Magpantay was Tresemmé’s Most Fashionable Female.
“PMAP has been the only nonprofit organization established by models and run by models,” said PMAP president Phoemela Baranda, dahlings.
“The organization has continued to (work) on protecting, uplifting and professionalizing the modeling industry, as well as highlighting the best that the country has to offer.
Après that, everyone dashed to Opus to party, where they got their adrenaline higher than a kite can fly. That’s totally partying with a vengeance, ’di bala, palanggas?