PLDT’S brilliant hotshot Manny V. Pangilinan and business whiz Polly Nazareno were super visible, together with other top officials of the country’s leading telecommunications firm, during the launch of PLDT’s most powerful broadband, Fibr, held at the upscale Salon de Ning, Manila Peninsula Hotel.

The corporate glitterati and invitees were serenaded by the fabulous Regine Velasquez no less, accompanied by the Manila Symphony Orchestra. Also on-hand was the talented “Harmony” Family, the high-profile brand ambassadors of PLDT Home, the mother brand of Fibr, and good-looking professional host Marc Nelson, palanggas.

The more than 100 invitees enjoyed Salon de Ning’s excellently prepared smoked duck breast, mango chutney and green asparagus wrapped in parma ham, mini skewers of chicken teriyaki, spring onion, assorted seafood curry in vol-au-ven, lemon meringue pie and superb assorted macaroons, among other yummy delights, dahlings.

As soon as MVP himself “clicked” the ceremonial enter button, demos were conducted for chosen VIPs of Fibr’s impressive capability to bring movies in a quality video format into the comfort of your own home.

“Barely a month since we launched the Home brand of the PLDT Group, we are giving our customers quality content using the ultra-fast and reliable connection of Fibr,” said Ariel Fermin, EVP and head of PLDT Home Business.

“PLDT is committed to provide consumers an integrated offering combining the best of voice, broadband and content services to sustain market leadership, and we will soon be launching more new services as part of this commitment.”

Next on the microphone was Gary Dujali, head of PLDT Home Broadband, who explained that “PLDT not only provides the fastest and most dependable broadband connection today, but with this partnership, we can give our customers the ultimate entertainment experience that their family deserves.”

Fibr is currently available in over 100 exclusive villages in Metro Manila, including Forbes Park, Dasmariñas Village, Ayala Alabang, Greenhills and Valle Verde.

“In the next couple of months, we can expect PLDT to aggressively roll out Fibr outside of Metro Manila, particularly in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Cebu and Davao,” added Dujali.

Yes, palanggas, Fibr—which allows home subscribers to enjoy high-speed Internet applications, and play lag-free online games—is the future of broadband. Visit www.pldthome.com or call hotline 101-FIBR.

Dinner for the art crowd

Gentleman of few words Patrick Reyno, art collector and founder of Now Gallery, recently hosted a sit-down dinner in honor of his close pal Herve Mikaeloff, curator of the LVMH museum in Paris.

The dinner was held at his parents’ sprawling home in South Forbes Park, dahlings. A chosen number of personalities and friends in the art world gathered for cocktails at the cool patio before the excellently prepared dinner by Margarita Fores, one of Patrick’s favorite caterers.

Patrick’s parents, business magnate Alfonso Reyno Jr., chair of Manila Jockey Club, and adorable Yolanda Guevara R., entertained the guests of honor.

Another honoree, the hosts’ longtime friend Mercedes “Dedes” Zobel, in town for the holidays, was in the crowd, along with other personalities such as respected art writer and blogger Trickie Lopa; artists Manuel Ocampo and Gerry Tan; Lopez Museum director Cedie Vargas; Patrick’s close friends Jonjon Rufino and Carlo Calma; popular chef Lorrie Reynoso, on vacation from New York, with her sister restaurateur Cecille; Tina and Rico Ocampo; and Karen Santos, dahlings—everyone of them enjoying the conversation before, during and après dinner.

Leave it to Patrick—who still finds time from his Now Gallery to travel in continuous search for awesome artworks—to entertain and catch up with his pals, palanggas.

Cova’s first anniversary

The urban, hip and always active restaurant-bar called Cova welcomed its first anniversary by celebrating its status as “a hidden gem in the city,” dahlings. A super exclusive night for Cova’s regulars and VIPs had resident DJ Bombi Balquiedra of NBK and DJ Peter Hager setting the mood for the dancing invitees.

Delicious tapas were served, which were so good that if we hadn’t controlled ourselves, we’d have no room for the main entrées—which were chicken liver pâté with onion compote montaditos, vegetable tartare canapés, tortilla de patata with salsa brava, goat cheese and chive croquetas, and mushrooms stuffed with braised oxtail, spiced beef and pork albondigas.

These were all excellently prepared by gifted chefs Patrick Hesse and his partner (in love as in business) Tatyana Guevara, who both welcomed and thanked their loyal invitees. Chow was also best drowned with excellent sangrias from Barcelona, Spain.

Sponsors included Bodegas Hidalgo, Stolichnaya and Ciroc from Diageo Philippines, Cold Steel Vodka, Licor 43 of Trading Bar Inc. and Patron XO from Montosco Inc.