A Special Evening

"A Special Evening" with Ms. Alessia Antinori, a dinner presented by Bacchus International, Inc. in Mi Piace at The Peninsula Manila in Makati, was truly an affair to remember.

Alessia Antinori is a member of the prestigious Antinori clan, known all over the world as one of Italy’s leading winemakers. Founded in 1385 and served by 26 generations of Antinoris, the clan is one of the most dynamic and visionary producers of fine wines, with estates concentrated in the best viticultural areas of Tuscany and Umbria. The young Alessia is the first of three daughters and resides in Florence, Italy. She is a classic Italian beauty and, to the good fortune of all eligible bachelors out there, is still single.

The dinner was a lineup of one fine dish after another — scampi carpaccio, live scallop salad, tagliolini pasta with smoked pigeon, venison loin, and ice cream and fruit. Each dish was served with matching wine that complemented its taste. Among the superb wines served were the crisp, dry and delicious 2001 Cervaro; the excellent 1998 Tignanello; the passionate 1998 Pian del Vigne; and the sweet dessert wine 1999 Vinsanto. After the exquisite dinner, the guests’ palates were thoroughly gratified.

Welcome to our country, Alessia!

Filipina Educator Hailed By US University

Professor Nelia Cruz Sarcol, president and CEO of CIE Global Colleges in Cebu, was named one of the recipients of the Distinguished Women’s Awards given annually by Northwood University in the United States. She is the only Filipino among the 17 women honored for their significant achievements and leadership in various fields.

Sarcol, a magna cum laude graduate of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, was chosen for her commitment to setting high educational standards in the country. In 1985, she founded a small school for children, the Child Development Center-Cebu, which has now evolved into the CIE Global Colleges under her direction and progressive educational vision.

Congratulations, Nelia! You make us proud!

A Holiday Getaway

Come summertime or Christmastime, Boracay Regency Beach Resort remains to be the definitive family retreat in the island paradise of Boracay. All year round, the first triple-A resort located along the white-sand beach plays host to celebrities, politicians, top military officials, media personalities and social figures.

The Boracay Regency boasts of 85 luxurious rooms with lanais, four restaurants serving a wide variety of cuisine, kids and adults swimming pools, the first underground disco bar with karaoke rooms, first-class gym and of course, the famous Boracay beach which lures thousands of tourists and travelers from all over the world.

Recently seen visiting the top-class resort were Deputy Speaker Raul Gonzales and family, basketball legend Atoy Co, Iloilo Mayor Jerry Treñas and US Consul Ruth Lincoln. Greetings

Advance birthday greetings to businessman Raul and Jose Concepcion Jr., George Litton Jr., Narciso Mabanta and Flavors editor Dolly Dy, Dec. 29; Fely Abaya, Tony Olbes, Antonio Garcia Jr. and Joanne Matschuck, Dec. 31; regal ladies Mary Prieto and Christina Ponce-Enrile, Jan. 1; FCCP’s Alice Briones, Jan. 3.

Happy wedding anniversary to Oscar and Connie Rufino Lopez, Dec. 30; Manny and Lyra Maceda, Eric and Bea Puno, Jan. 2. May you have many, many more years of wedded bliss.

So, how was your week?

(For comments and inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com)