Of glamour and couture

Every Christmas eve, Hong Kong-based couple, Carlos Yeung and his glam wifey Mariquita would host a formal dinner at their home in Nivel Hills. Now, newly-renovated with that Mediterranean design and tastefully decorated by Hong Kong Interior designer Tess Schoeffer, the house has that magnificent look especially during night time when all the lamps around the manse are lighted. The villa just looks awesome!

Carlos and Kit's good friends, including Gov. Gwen Garcia, albeit her busy schedule, took time out to be with the hosts during cocktail cum dinner. The governor who was with her daughter Christine and a friend from Australia, was a bit surprised with the quick change of the place. Gov. Gwen wore a black strapless number while Mariquita was in a red long strapless gown by Cary Santiago, a Beirut-based couturier. Also seen was Vice Mayor Mike Rama and Councilor Joy P. and CX Cebu manager Eddie Kong. Daughters Carla and Jewelle arrived from London that day and son Martin, arrived earlier from Hong Kong. Kit, being the proud mother, announced that eldest daughter Carla is now a professional lawyer after she passed the exams for law graduates (bar exams in local lingo), and is expected to join a group of lawyers practicing in London. Congrats dear Carla...may success be yours as a lawyer!

And speaking of success - last December, too, before the end of the month, young and pretty budding designer Vania Krizia Romoff, youngest daughter of Virgie and the late Bill, and granddaughter of Cebu's top couturier Viring R., had a very successful presentation of her first collection of fashion (trends) mostly catering to the young. The venue was at the Casino Español de Cebu. Vania's lines were so unique, very feminine and quite dressy, too. Vania, with the inspiration of her family who are all in the field of dressing beautiful people, (Mom Virgie whose forte is RTW, older sister Virginia Durano who designs uniforms for big companies; and the most sought-after designer with élan Jojo R. plus her lola Viring) were all there lending support. No prouder was granda Viring who whispered to us: "Imagine, all of us are now in the business!" And we told her - a chip from the old block...is there any business better than this? Laughing happily, she gave us a hug!