A festive Chinese New Year in Cebu City's finest!

“I have always believed, and I still believe, that whatever good or bad fortune may come our way we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value.” — Hermann Hesse

Cebu and Manila’s A-listers as well as distinguished personalities from the diplomatic circle recently trooped to the five-star Marco Polo Plaza Cebu (MPPC) in Cebu City to usher in the colorful Chinese New Year with much festivity! Led by visionary Asia Pacific Top Management chairman and Federal Land, Inc. president Alfred Ty and ever hospitable MPPC GM Hans Hauri, the fascinating affair featured traditional lion and dragon dances, customary “dotting of the eye” ceremony as well as loud noises and firecrackers to ward off negative energy. This year, the celebration became more exciting with the addition of the Yee Sang (fish salad) tossing ceremony, a ritual significantly practiced because it is believed to “gather prosperity” for the upcoming year.

Leading this rich Chinese tradition were Chinese Consul General He Shijing, Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama and Cebu Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Filomeno Lim.

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

(Seated, from left) Chona Moran, Minerva Tanseco, Boysie Villavicencio and Bego Ortigas; (standing) Society Lounge GM and chef Patrice Freuslon with your columnist.

A classy evening at Society Lounge

Known for being a woman of elegance with a jovial disposition, Minerva Tanseco gathered her dearest friends for an evening filled with fun, solidarity and French Fashion Food-inspired cuisine at Society Lounge in Makati. With best-selling dishes prepared by Society Lounge chef and GM Patrice Freuslon, Minerva and her friends thoroughly enjoyed their visit at the upscale lounge and dining hub with chic interiors resembling a contemporary French chateau. Good times always get better with Minerva!

Greetings

Advance birthday greetings to Doña Bea Zobel and Biboy Enriquez, Feb. 28; Romy Aquino, March 1; FCCP’s Lulu Castañeda, super beauty Rep. Nikki Prieto Teodoro, Juan Carlos del Rosario and Gasthof’s Bot Gersbach, March 3; Allure editor and People Asia editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez and Nena del Rosario, March 4.

To my loving wife Tere, a happy, happy wedding anniversary, March 3. May we have many, many more cherished years together.

So how was your week?

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