The 12th edition of Ralph’s Wines & Spirits’ tasting event took place recently at Marriott Hotel’s Grand Ballroom, dahlings.

 

Over a thousand VIPs turned out for the event, many of them from the wine industry. Over 500 awesome different wines were exhibited in booths all over the ballroom.

 

To complement the wine-tasting, there was a gastronomic buffet of superbly prepared dishes by the talented chefs of Marriott Hotel, natch.

 

The buffet and the wines had our town’s namedroppables and wine connoisseurs totally delighted in celebrating life. It was indeed as it was billed by the organizers—“a grand wine experience,” palanggas.

 

Hans Montenegro, Johnny Revilla, Robi Joseph and Ines Cabarrus emceed the event. They summoned to the stage the Joseph brothers—Robert, Ralph, Ronald and Raymond —who

pioneered the wine-tasting celebration for the ceremonial toast.

 

As the party-goers poured into the ballroom, they were amazed by the spectacular spread of the best gastronomical offerings, particularly the sinfully massive chocolate station, and endless selection of cheeses, prepared by chef Meik Brammer, food and beverage director Brendan Mahoney and très charmant GM Scott Sibley, no less, who saw to it that everything was in abundance.

 

Naturellement, another big come-on were the raffle prizes: trips to Europe via Etihad Airways, and Hong Kong via Philippine Airlines; a three-day, two-night Hong Kong package from TCP Luxury Tours; and other prizes from Moët-Hennessy Asia Pacific, Future Trade International, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rogue Magazine and Resorts World Manila.

 

Later, the invitees tried to shake off the calories from all that booze and food on the dance floor, rocking to the hot rhythms of Sabor Latino.

 

“This year’s celebration is an indication of where the industry is headed,” said el simpatico Ralph Joseph, palanggas.

 

“We can be sure that the future will indeed be bright for both wine and spirits lovers everywhere. With our promise of an even grander Grand Wine Experience next year, there are more reasons to ‘celebrate life.’”

 

Healthy Options’ new products

 

Organic farming advocates and health enthusiasts were all present at the launch of the new organic products of Healthy Options, one of the country’s leading natural products store, dahlings.

 

Welcoming invitees to the celebration of “good food grown the good way” were Healthy Options managing director Romy Sia, Christian Tan, Pam So-Suarez and organic farm manager LJ Mallari.

 

Host Amanda Griffin-Jacob introduced Romy Sia, who gave a short talk on the benefits of organic farming:

 

“Through Healthy Options, consumers can now access food that truly nurtures, organic crops and animals raised the natural way—free of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, growth hormones and animal cruelty, just like Mother Nature intended them to be.”

 

Brazilian supermodels Hideo Muraoka and Daniel Matsunaga, the latter with his sister Vanessa, later distributed baskets of fruits, vegetables and meat from the Healthy Options Laguna farm in a mini-fashion show.

 

Après that, Sia and Tan led the toast to the brand’s 18th year. They then led the crowd to a dinner featuring food from the organic farm.

 

The star of the buffet was the succulent, flavorful and guilt-free lechon—would you believe from pigs raised the all-natural way?

 

Now, that’s truly eating “good food grown the good way,” and in addition, without your cholesterol shooting out of its normal level, di bala, palanggas?

 

Robinsons Land’s Signa

 

Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC), the premier property-development conglomerate, held “Experiencing Asia,” in connection with its new development, Signa Designer Residences. RLC president and chief operating officer Frederick Go said the affair was also to show gratitude to investors and other guests for their unfaltering support.

 

Signa Designer Residences has been billed “the first designer residence in the country.” It is a product of the collaboration of the renowned creative minds of Kenneth Cobonpue, Royal Pineda and Budji Layug.

 

Signa will rise at the corner of Rufino and Valero Streets in Salcedo Village, Makati City.

 

For more info, call 3970292 and 0923-7778777. Or visit the Signa showroom at G/F Security Land Bldg., Ayala Ave. and Rufino St., Salcedo Village, Makati City.

 

Signa model unit also open for viewing at the Grand Showroom, 1/L East Lane, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas.

 

Tupperware’s Women of Confidence

 

As a tribute to empowered women, Tupperware Brands Philippines held the awarding ceremonies of its Search for 10 Women of Confidence at Sweet Bella Café in Greenbelt 5.

 

The 10 women-honorees were chosen for “having brought positive change in the lives of others through their inspiring life stories.”

 

“Filipinas are strong, independent, passionate and compassionate,” said Tupperware Brands Philippines president and GM Perry Mogar.

 

“Through the Chain of Confidence campaign, which is just the first of our many efforts to empower women, we hope to inspire and help them achieve their full potential so they can in turn make a difference in society.”

 

The 10 honorees were each given a bouquet, plaque and gift bag from Aranaz.

 

Chain of Confidence ambassador Bianca Valerio said, “If there’s something we should learn from this experience, it’s that we all have different stories and we have something to learn from one another, and all deserve to be stars in our own time. Congratulations to all our Women of Confidence. Be proud of yourselves and continue spreading positivity to other people.”