“Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.” —Eleanor Roosevelt

T his October is a celebration of fashion, charity and friendship. After months of preparation, the Red Charity Gala (RCG) is mounting its 12th edition featuring the fashion genius of Ivarluski Aseron at The Peninsula Manila. Co-chair Kaye Tiñga and I have been tirelessly working on our charitable project for the benefit of Philippine Red Cross, Assumption HS ‘81 Foundation and Hope For Lupus Foundation.

Presented by Bench and Angkas, RCG is grateful to all our sponsors, auction donors and table buyers. We are excited to present the auction items this year with the outstanding art pieces from Patrick Coard (“The Half Tower” sculpture in bronze-patina brass) and Jigger Cruz (“Waltz Beneath Broken Paradigm,” oil on paper) and beautiful jewelry pieces from Omega (De Ville ladies’ steel and red-gold watch from Lucerne), DiaGold Devan diamond necklace (8.82 total carat weight of diamonds set in 18k Italian white gold) and our most anticipated auction piece from Jewelmer, a 30-inch strand of South Sea semi-baroque golden pearls.

This year, we also have amazing beauty treatments for auction. Sofwave is the only device that has triple FDA approval for lifting, tightening and cellulite treatments. It is the new favorite treatment of “Sex and the City” star Sarah Jessica Parker and many other Hollywood stars.

Sofwave recently launched their newest brand ambassador Charmaine Lagman. We are grateful for the support of SpectruMed’s Cherryl Glazer for this generous beauty package. Thanks also to Avignon Clinic, Luminisce and Rhodium Regenerative Institute.

Our hotel host, The Peninsula Manila, also donated several hotel packages of four days/three nights in a deluxe room for two persons with breakfast. We are pleased to share the packages for The Peninsula Manila, The Peninsula Bangkok, The Peninsula Istanbul and the newly opened The Peninsula London.

The Peninsula Istanbul offers a deluxe Bosphorus Room stay with views of the Bosphorus. The Peninsula London stay will be our finale auction with two business-class tickets to Europe on Emirates. Other packages include beautiful furniture pieces from Genteel Home. (Check out their pieces on Instagram @genteelhome.ph and the RCG Instagram @redcharitygala for the other exciting auction items.)

Assumption HS ‘81 projects

Our African safari package from A2A Safaris is a three-night stay at Royal Chundu River Lodge in Victoria Falls, Zambia, for two persons. Thank you to Binky and Tracie Dizon of A2A Safaris for this exciting trip. This package will be auctioned with a luxurious bed frame and mattress from Uratex.

Wilcon Depot is also one of our generous sponsors. The company recently opened their 88th branch in Barangay Sabang, Naic, Cavite. Naic is a thriving municipality with a growing population. Wilcon Depot founder and chair emeritus Dr. William Belo and SEVP-COO Rose Ong led the ribbon-cutting ceremony with Naic Vice Mayor Jun Dualan present.

Assumption High School Batch 1981 has been working on several projects to raise funds for different charitable projects. This year, we are helping Assumption High School Batch 1998. They are the host of this year’s Velada next week, the first that will go live after the pandemic break.

Assumption HS ‘98 is thrilled to announce the release of their commemorative cookbook, “Simple, Sweet, Savory” (It’s available at Fully Booked in Bonifacio Global City, Power Plant Mall and Alabang starting this month. Email [email protected] or check out their Instagram @accelerate98.). This culinary collection, celebrating the batch’s silver anniversary, brings together an ensemble of delectable recipes from Assumption alumni and renowned chefs.

“Simple, Sweet, Savory” boasts a rich tapestry of flavors, featuring dishes from esteemed chefs such as Gilbert Pangilinan of Kai, Jay Gamboa of Azuthai and El Cirkulo, Robby Goco of Cyma and Miko Aspiras of Gelato by Chef Miko, among others.

The Assumption silver jubilarians shared treasured family recipes for this book. With pride, they have committed to dedicate proceeds from the cookbook’s sales to support Assumption mission schools and various charity projects facilitated by the Assumption Alumnae Association. This initiative continues the legacy of kindness and generosity instilled in them by their alma mater.

Japanophilia

Between all the RCG planning, I was able to attend the launch of Snidel and Fray I.D. in Mitsukoshi BGC. Already a popular shopping and dining destination in the heart of BGC, the Japanese-themed department store has brought the Filipino closer to the Japanophilia trend, such that it has become quite the iconic lifestyle hub.

As purveyors of Japanese fashion and culture, the retail group Federal Retail Holdings Inc. (FRHI) was drawn to both Snidel and Fray I.D.’s knack for bridging modernism, functionality and art. Both labels have built and solidified their brand equity by covering the needs of modern Japanese women (and now all women, for that matter) in making them feel vibrant and empowered—no matter the occasion or milestone.

It is for this very reason that FRHI wants to continue to share that feeling with Filipinas. Snidel and Fray I.D. celebrated their grand launch at Mitsukoshi BGC with stakeholders, VIPs, Manila’s fashion movers and shakers and members of the press, by revealing their brand ambassadors, Tricia Gosingtian and Camille Co.

From Japanese fashion to an iconic Italian brand, Gucci opened a new boutique in Makati City. Situated in Greenbelt 4 on Makati Avenue, the space spans over 7,475 square feet and carries a wide selection of luxury retail items

The launch of the flagship boutique was a vision of opulence. The event drew an illustrious crowd, including A-list celebrities, social media icons, esteemed partners and guests. The boutique’s grand launch was a spectacle that seamlessly fused the realms of luxury and fashion in a captivating evening of Gucci elegance.Follow @seaprincess888 on Instagram