Allure

Sports and style

April 15, 2012 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - Manila’s 400 reveled in style and sportsmanship as one of its golden couples — Mikee and Sheila Romero — delivered the First Romero Polo Cup at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City. The highly successful event saw stars and socialites, politicians and business leaders, gather for a rare event that celebrated fashion, camaraderie and high society’s most favored sport — polo.

While both teams traded skillful maneuvers to possess the ball and win a goal, the inaugural polo match saw Team Red win over Team Blue. Rookie Romero scored three of the winning team’s goals, sealing his undeniably stylish entry into the “Sport of Kings”. He was warmly welcomed by players and supporters, especially since he has been a long time supporter of Philippine sports. He currently heads the Philippine National Shooting Association.

The final tally registered 9-7, as polo veterans Anthony Garcia, Iñigo Zobel and Manot Montilla led Team Red to victory. Montilla scored two quick goals followed by teammates Garcia and Zobel who contributed a goal each.

Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, Sheila Romero and Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo.

Guests — decked in luxe resort wear — also enjoyed the afternoon as champagne and hors d’oeuvres from the Oracle Hotel and Residences overflowed during the after-party. Friends from the diplomatic circle were led by Argentine Ambassador Joaquin Otero, Embassy of Brazil Vice Consul Adilson Simoes de Oliveira and US Embassy Commercial Attache Brian Daughtry. The First Romero Cup also attracted the business world’s influential names such as PeopleAsia Publisher Jose Manuel Romualdez and Metro Bank Foundation president Chito Sobrepeña, UBS managing director Lauro Baja, RCBC’s Mike de Jesus and PSC chairman Ritchie Garcia, among others.

Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Rex Gatchalian and International Olympic Committee Representative to the Philippines Frank Elizalde were also present. Newlyweds Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo and Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad, as well as Maricris Zobel, Greggy Araneta, Monique Toda, Freddie Borromeo, Cris Albert, Marivic Rufino, Audrey Zubiri and GMA 7’s Annette Gozon.

Rounding up the guest list were media personalities such as Mega Publishing Group’s president Sari Yap, deputy editor Cheryl Tiu, Lifestyle Asia editor-in-chief Anna Sobrepeña. Also seen were Preview‘s Pauline Juan, STAR’s Tim Yap, Philip Cu-Unjieng and Christine Dayrit also graced the event.

The First Romero Polo Cup punctuated the event stylishly with a visually stimulating Folded & Hung fashion show and an awarding ceremony with Manila Polo Club president Roman Azanza Jr., Air Asia president Maan Hontiveros and F&H president Ronald Pineda handing out the trophies and cup to the winning players.