Customers should be told beforehand

"Cool, clean and scenic Tagaytay." That’s how I always refer to this summer capital of the metropolis in all my spiels whenever I tape any of my TV shows in that progressive city.

And progressive indeed it is, what with a lot of restaurants sprouting in its environs, especially along the ridge, which offers a grand panoramic view of scene Taal Lake and the world famous volcano within a volcano, the marvelous Taal Volcano.

One of the better eating-places that recently opened along the ridge is Dencio’s. Most of the metro’s denizens who go for native dishes like "sisig", "chicharon bulaklak", "crispy pata" and other dishes fondly called by many as "pampabata" together with ice cold beer habitually troop to Katipunan St., in Quezon City, where Dencio’s may have originally started. I know that there are now quite a number of Dencio’s but what I don’t know is whether the rest are franchises or outlets or a combination of both. I also do not know to what category the one in Tagaytay City belongs to – outlet or franchise.

Whatever, what’s good going for the place is that they offer the same high quality of food as that of the original Dencio’s. I cannot tell though if the prices are the same, as I normally don’t check on those as long as I appreciate the quality.

There’s a downside though. They don’t carry any kind of credit card. Worse, it’s bad enough not to realize that few people now carry money, due to the present security situation, the place doesn’t even have a sign that says so.

Imagine this scenario; you walk into the place to host dinner for a bunch of friends, with only just a thousand bucks in your wallet for this and that petty expenses but with a full load of credit cards of unlimited credit. Not having any sign that tells you that they only accept cash, you order to your and your friends’ heart’s delight, only to find out later when you are ready to pay the bill that they don’t accept credit cards. Then you’ll have to rush to the nearest ATM, if there was one, and go through all the hassle and security risk. The other option, a very embarrassing one, is to borrow money for the meal you just hosted from your guests. That’s very inconsiderate of Dencio’s, Tagaytay City.

But all’s not lost. If its management refuses to consider the modern way of transacting business, which is by way of "plastic money" or credit cards – that’s their option, but not to put a sign that says so – is not an option at all. Just put the sign and cease from losing customers’ goodwill.

Sayang, sarap pa naman your "sisig"!

Farewell to a founder

It was the Mill Novecientos Tapas Bar & Bistro as setting with well-known journalist and restaurateur Larry J. Cruz as host, when members of the very exclusive US Embassy Cigar Club bade goodbye to outgoing US Consul Sony Busa. Recognized as the club’s founder, Sony, a natural born Filipino, leaves the country with a heavy heart as he takes new challenges as US Consul to Ethiopia.

As always, fine wine flowed and smoke from expensive cigars of different brands billowed for the year’s third get-together of this very elitist fraternity. Aside from Sony, the honoree of the occasion, the evening’s special guest was Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, himself a cigar aficionado and the host of the club’s preceding socials held at the Top of the Century of the luxurious Century Park Hotel.

Of course, never to be left out of the guest list and also considered founding member of this remarkable private club is Century Park Hotel GM, the perennially nattily dressed Bobby Carpio (Hall of Fame-one of the country’s best dressed).

Premium Australian wines that flowed that memorable evening was courtesy of 9L, a known distributor of fine Australian wines while Tabac, official distributors of Cuban cigars in the country generously raffled off Habanas. The gastronomic treat for the night was Mil Novecientos’ specialty dish, the Paella Verde while Cafe Havana’s chef presented its signature dessert, Smokeless Cigar.

My apologies to the evening’s host, Larry J. Cruz, for failing to make it that night. It was due to some unscheduled taping requirements. But I was definitely there in spirit. Or how else did I know what happened? Promise to be in the next one!

The 1st in Asia – done in the Philippines

The country had just been recently honored with the presence last month of Philippe Charriol, the founder of the internationally known brand and design house Charriol. But the country’s distinction and prestige did not end with the famous designer’s presence. We were also chosen as the site of the first Charriol Regional Agency Meeting ever to be held in Asia. The move was also seen as an acknowledgment of the emerging importance of Asian markets to this world-renowned luxury watch and jewelry brand.

Aside from the corporate milestone, where Mr. Carriol oriented his agents all over Asia as to the new directions that the brand will take, other outstanding events were lined up to coincide with the historic affair. There was the PressCon attended by media representatives from the Far East region where the future directions of Charriol in the Asian region and worldwide were revealed and the launching gala dinner for the debut launch of the new Coralie leather goods line.

The leather goods collection, like the jewelry collection also launched locally before it, is named after and inspired by Philippe Charriol’s heiress and daughter, Coralie, who is currently involved in product development and the promotion of the famous brand.

50 years in fashion – how time flies!

Imagine this fashion coup – Manila’s top mannequins, among them, Olen Lim, Maricar Totengco, Tetta Ortiz, Gem Padilla, Melanie Marquez, Alta Tan, Apples Aberin, Tweety de Leon, all in one ramp modelling a collection of 30 fabulous and rich evocative gowns in shades of gold all designed by one of fashion’s living legends – Ben Farrales.

Some of you may not realize it but this fashion mogul has been around for quite a while – 50 uninterrupted and distinguished successful years.

To meaningfully mark this, an anniversary gala has been lined up on July 1 at the ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Manila fittingly called "A Fashion Celebration: 50 Years of Ben Farrales". Simultaneously, a significant feature of the anniversary show will be the launch of the Ben Farrales Foundation, whose avowed mission is to provide scholarships for young and talented aspiring designers to the St. Scholastica’s Philippine International School of Fashion.

Also to be launched during the gala show is the all-color "little book" on the life and art of the fashion tycoon written by Abe Florendo – "Fifty Years: In My Fashion, Ben Farrales".

Better mark your fashion calendars.

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There’s interesting viewing waiting again for you tonight on Business & Leisure (Saturday, 11 p.m. Channel 4 Manila and nationwide via satellite on the National Broadcasting Network). We shall give our viewers a second look at the leisure moments of one of Cosmopolitan Manila’s top socialite and media tycoon, Ms. Grace Glory Go, The STAR’s EVP. Now for those who may fancy fishes, learn how to enjoy breeding them and making a business out of it on our feature, "Fresh Water Fishes". Don’t fail to watch.

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