A superb dinner reception was recently hosted by Citi’s well-respected banking head Usman Ahmed dahlings, for Citi’s’ managing director and global subsidiaries group head, trés charmant Robert Snell, who was here for a short visit.

Robert met and conveyed Citi’s strong commitment to their chosen clients to serve their global banking needs. With optimism for Philippines and its economic prospects running high, the visit was well-timed.

During the reception, Citi country officer Sanjiv Vohra joined Ahmed and the Citi country management team in welcoming the invitees, palanggas.

After cocktails, Robert took center stage and said: “The opportunities in the Philippines are enormous, and that is why Citi would like to build on these business prospects through our strong leadership, competent team and rewarding relationships with our clients.”

Then, Sanjiv was joined by Robert and Ahmed in making a toast to loyal Citi clients. “Citi has been in the Philippines for the past 111 years and this is because of the good relationship

between our bankers and our clients. We thank you all!”

Loud applause ended the speeches.

Guests mingled throughout the whole evening, talking mostly about our country’s economic recovery and Citibank’s stainless reputation, naturallement, palanggas.

Mags opening

Mags, the popular fashion boutique found in many prestigious malls around the country, had a grand happening with the opening of another branch at the second floor of The District North Point, Ayala Mall in Talisay City, between the boundaries of Bacolod and Negros Occidental, palanggas.

A fashion show had live mannequins that included Talisay’s top models, along with Mags’ celebrity endorser Cristine Reyes. The proprietress of Mags and a fashion plate herself, Mags Cue, joined Cristine and Edouard Garcia, Philippine Tatler Bacolod contributor, in the ribbon-snipping.

Bacolod City Mayor Eric Saratan, Sheila Yap Saratan and Vice Mayor Nilo Jesus Antonio E. Lizares III also graced the event, along with other namedroppables such as Nonoi Ybiernas, Tatler’s Iloilo contributor; Jan Marie Vega, MassKara Queen 2008; Michael Tan of the Sheridan Group of Companies, and other society personalities.

Mags, known for its edgy and stylish fashion wear, has branches nationwide. It recently launched its new online shop at www.magsph.com.

Dashing in late-ish in her fashionable best to join Mags and her invitees was my palangga Tessa Prieto-Valdes, who was in Talisay for the opening of her makeup artist Victor Ortega’s new salon.

Cognac masterpiece

It took over 150 years to become one of the world’s five finest cognac companies, dahlings, and the only fully family-owned business among them.

Celebrating its sesquicentennial, Camus unveiled its latest masterpiece, the Camus Cuvee 5.150, at a very exclusive dinner in Old Manila at the Peninsula Manila. The excellently prepared five-course gastronomic happening brought the invitees through each generation of the company’s storied past, and finished off with the highlight of the night, a tasting of this luxurious new cuvee, dahlings.

The invitees were greeted with Camus’ 150-Year Special, a cocktail blended in honor of the company’s years of success, featuring the Camus VSOP Elegance.

After the usual cocktails, everyone was guided by Camus’ global brand ambassador Frederic Dezauzier to sample the five “eau-de-vies” blended into the grand cuvee. Each essence was selected to represent a signature characteristic of the company’s five presidents.

For the dinner proper, top chef Samuel Linder meticulously prepared a menu that embodied the culinary tastes and styles of each of Camus’ five generations, paired with a different wine from the cognac house’s roster, naturellement.

The main course, a homage to Edmond and Gaston Camus, was tournedos Berny with green asparagus, Berny potatoes, and peppercorn sauce served on butter crouton, served with a glass of Chateau Haut-Gravet, Cuvee La Croix Fourche and Saint-Emillion.

Wearing satin gloves, Frederic then unveiled the Camus Cuvee 5.150 from its Serge Mansau-designed Baccarat crystal decanter—which totally deserves a wow, palanggas.

Camus Cuvee 5.150 is available at the Wines & Spirits section of SM Aura Supermarket, McKinley Park, Bonifacio City, Taguig.