Finding Agent 007 at Martinis

“Life is meant to be lived.”  — Eleanor Roosevelt

Aplomb and excitement characterized the mood of the night when multi-Kalakbay awardee Mandarin Oriental, Manila formally opened its posh new bar Martinis. The bar fully embraced its “James Bond” theme, complete with flashy sports cars and a silhouette opening dance number. Dapper GM Helmut Gaisberger played the part of Agent 007 and proposed a ceremonial toast with the five chosen Distinctive Men of Style: BPI president Gigi Montinola, president and CEO of Weber and Shandwick Mike Toledo, Rustan Supercenters Inc. president Donnie Tantoco, Techno Holdings Corp. chairman Bill Stelton and yours truly. Style and service done the Mandarin way — no wonder Manila’s urbanites and jazz-smart enthusiasts have made Martinis a favorite hub!

See you there!

Music in Malacañang

Serenades and kundimans resounded inside the halls of Malacañang when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo hosted a dinner for the supporters of the Linis-Ganda Dinner Concert. Organized by the Metro Manila Linis-Ganda president Leonarda Camacho, the event gathered corporate, political and diplomatic bigwigs, including Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes, NEDA Secretary Romulo Neri, Unilever corporate chairman Sanjiv Metha, Philamlife’s Joey Cuisia and Muebles Italiano president Noel Gonzales who surprised the guests with their admirable singing prowess.

See you at the next musical dinner!

Johnny says, ‘Check this out’

Check out the newest oversized glossy magazine — and the only one devoted to expatriate life in the Philippines — Expat Travel & Lifestyle. The quarterly magazine features articles by award-winning journalists and longtime expats who offer their insights and   amusing observations about life in the Philippines. Expat Travel & Lifestyle is now available at newsstands and bookstores.

Greetings

Happy birthday to our celebrator today, Meralco’s dapper big boss Manolo Lopez.

Advance birthday greetings to Gonzalo Puyat II, May 21; Andy Jacinto, Lito Puyat and Lulu Tinio, May 22; Oli Laperal Jr., May 24; artist Anita Magsaysay-Ho, George Sison, Beth Day-Romulo, Enrique “Iking” Araneta, journalist Llita Logarta and Ping Valencia, May 26.

So, how was your week?

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