It was another fantastic feather for the already full cap of Kaye Tiñga, dahlings, when she organized the homecoming and first-ever gala show in Manille of acclaimed London-based Filipino designer Lesley Mobo, no less.

 

Kaye welcomed the guests along with Mediascape Inc. COO and managing director Annie Palacios Naval.

 

The affair allowed our town’s alta sociedad to raise a toast to Mobo, who showed his Spring-Summer collection 2013.

 

The show was presented by Cignal, the country’s direct-to-home satellite provider, and its living magazine channel, Colours.

 

The Mall of Asia’s humongous Arena was unbelievably transformed into a majestic palace ballroom, for the elegant sit-down dinner setup with exquisite lilium casablanca flowers by florist Antonio Garcia of Mabolo. The fabulous stage was swathed in silky fabric, where the models sashayed to showcase Mobo’s elegant pieces.

 

It’s been a while since our A-listers were treated to such a stunning setting with all the perfect elements, starting with cocktails and exquisite finger food by Margarita Fores of Cibo, and mesmerizing entertainment courtesy of the handsome gentlemen from the British group Blake, managed here in the Philippines by my pal Anton San Diego.

 

The invitees brushed elbows with Tourism Secretary Mon Jimenez, Education Secretary Armin Luistro and Mediascape president Ray Espinosa.

 

In our table sat designer Pepito Albert, with sisters-in-law Leah Lorenzo and Rica Davila; and Veana Fores, palanggas.

 

During dinner, emcee Tessa Prieto-Valdes with Kaye introduced PLDT chair Manny V. Pangilinan, who gallantly went up on stage and announced “that Colours Gala will take place annually to recognize people who are committed to education.”

 

This lavish show and setup was put together by ace director Ariel Lozada, palanggas.

 

Part of the proceeds would go to the Lightomorrow Project and Save the Children Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to make quality education available to the poor.

 

Opulent nights

 

Opus Restaurant and Lounge launched “Opulence: The Models’ Night,” in partnership with Talent Agency Organization (TAO) of the Philippines and Mercator Artist and Model Management Inc.

 

The affair was dubbed “Model Agencies You-Night.”

 

Handsome model Brent Javier welcomed the members of TAO as well as their pals. The gig, he said, is intended “to bring people in the industry closer, thus introducing Opus as the venue where agencies, talents and different members of the industry can go to during the midweek to get together, unwind and kick back.”

 

That was a night of fun and shaking the blues away, with Opulence hosts Marie Garcia, JC Sandejas and Ryan Singh welcoming the guests, who danced to the tunes by guest DJs Vadim Nabivanets and Clyde Harris. Premier captured the adrenaline-high moment along with Star World.

 

“This is only the beginning as Opulence will continue to happen every Wednesday at Opus from 10 p.m. onward,” my pal and Opus hotshot GP Reyes said.

 

Opus Restaurant is at 2/F Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila. More info? Contact 0917-8094093.

 

UST Christmas Concert Gala

 

Now on its 10th year, the Christmas Concert Gala of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) has become one of the early Yuletide season’s most-awaited events. It will be held, take note, dahlings, on Dec. 6, 8 p.m., at the UST Chapel, known as Santisimo Rosario Church.

 

Tomorrow night, therefore, the beautiful UST campus will be echoing with music and songs by the university’s renowned musicians and singers, headed by the world-acclaimed UST Singers, and sopranos Rachelle Gerodias, Thea Perez, Naomi Sison; mezzo-soprano Clarissa Ocampo; tenors Lemuel de la Cruz, Eugene de los Santos, Ronan Ferrer; baritone Andrew Fernando; and child soprano Victoria Bayle.

 

Providing accompaniment will be the UST String Orchestra, UST Brass Ensemble and the UST Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of professor Herminigildo Ranera, no less.

 

Rev. Herminio V. Dagohoy, OP, Rector Magnificus of the Pontifical University, will join Concert Gala chairs—Fr. Isidro C. Abaño, OP, UST Museum director, and art patroness Maricris Cardenas Zobel—in welcoming the high-powered guests and benefactors of Asia’s oldest university.

 

Joining them are Jonathan Matti and Andrew Gan, both executive committee directors of the organizing committee.

 

The UST Christmas Concert Gala will be preceded by the traditional lighting of the 66-feet UST Christmas Tree.

 

This one-of-a-kind concert has mega sponsors who have loyally supported this event through the years.

 

Donations are welcome for the heritage-conservation efforts of UST and the scholarship fund of the UST Conservatory of Music.

 

For more information, call associate professor Giovanna V. Fontanilla, director of the UST Office of Public Affairs, at 7313544 or 7861611 loc. 8315.