Jetting into Paris via an Air France non-stop flight were glamour gals Vicky Zubiri, Marybeth de Leon and that young miss with exquisite taste and style, Stephanie Zubiri.
The trio hit the Parisian scene by shopping at Lacroix’s boutique and nowhere else. They also danced at the rhythmic Latin quarters with renowned Fil-American artist Wayne Forte of L.A.
Dinner one night had them checking out Alane Gucasse’s outrageously expensive famed resto, which they hated. Stephanie Z., a gourmet and excellent chef even at her young age said, "It was like having airline food!"
The big come-on is Paris, they found, is the grand summer sale from Monoprix to the exclusive boutiques at Foubourge St. Honore to Place Vendome.
Next, Vicky and Stephanie jetted off to New York in a smooth Air France 777 aircraft. They flew in to discover what to see, where to shop and dine in the city. Broadway hit shows topped their list.
Old-wealth social pillars, the Vasquez siblings Marivic, Bea, Bela and Miguel, sans their loved ones, jetted in for some famille bonding in the hottest spots of Paris. All expenses were paid by Mama and Papa. Not bad, huh?
Meanwhile, stunningly gorgeous miss with the four B’s (as in beauty, brains, breeding and bucks!) Nicky Prieto Teodoro is soaking up the beauty of Paris for a month and a half with her adorable son, Jaime and her son’s lucky nanny. "It’s been ages," said a truly happy Nicky. "It’s going back to my homeground." Europe – she shuffled between Switzerland and Paris – is where our gal spent the best years of her single life.
Vibrant Annie Carmona, for her part, is still in Paris, would you believe? She must have such love for this city. . . or for a man.
Beauty queen Aurora Pijuan breezed in from London, took in the sights and hooked up with pals. Her next stop was the playground of the rich and famous, Monte Carlo, where Southern gent and mega banker Eduoardo "Nene" Lacson reigns supreme. But Aurora never showed up. I wonder why?
Well-respected Philippine Ambassador to Rome Philippe Lhuillier and his wife, Southern socialite Edna Diago-L. left Rome and jetted into their chic Parisian flat for a couple of days. Then they flew off to Cosmo Manille for the wedding of their attractive daughter Jacqueline L.
Marisa Carmona and her husband, taipan Steven Chang celebrated Bastille Day with a bash at their chi-chi apartment overlooking the Eiffel Tower (can’t beat that for a view) with guests from Manille and Paris. The kids danced the night away while the more "mature" ones drowned themselves in champagne, munched and watched on the side.
Fashionable Babette Aquino socializes with Paris café society by day, turns into a Bible preacher by late afternoon and a wife by night to mega French businessman Paul Benoit. Talking about having a packed schedule, this lady has it all.
Paul Campos jetted in from his homebase of Chicago to San Francisco, then to Paris, spending two weeks visiting pals, especially Melissa Lopez. Paul C. boogied the nights away and made the rounds of the "must-to-go-to" restos before boogie-ing some more. He visited museums and boogied till the day before he jetted out of Paris.
Moi visited Nene Lacson at his Monte Carlo villa while this popular international banker was relaxing apres an operation. He oversaw the building of the swimming pool in his well-landscaped garden.
Nene, who is everybody’s friend, agrees that Monte Carlo is "dead and out"! All the best action is taking place in St. Tropez and Cannes.
Apres a week, moi jetted off to Paris, then to New York on Air France, naturellement. After a short seven-hour flight where the attendants spoiled their passengers with their excellent service, moi was back in my favorite Big Apple, the city that never sleeps. More about New York sooner than soon, palanggas.
The party theme was most appropriate, palanggas, since the jet-setting hosts are avid advocates and promoters of that phenomenal health supplement drink known worldwide as Morinda Tahiti Noni Juice.
Kenneth F. is a top international insurance agent whose clients include some of the biggest names in Philippine business and society. His wife, the former Linda Velayo used to manage that fashionable boutique Piropos in what is now Ayala Center before she jetted off to New York and later Honolulu, where she now resides.
Stage actor Ricky Hora and floral stylist George Cabullo’s flower arrangers Romy Bañez and Nathaniel Robles transformed the Polo Club’s Cameron Forbes Room and the adjoining poolside area with exotic blooms, highlighting them with romantic hurricane lamps and tropical torches. The floral table linens and the centerpieces featured white sand, fresh orchids and wine goblets with strands of pearls which drew as much raves as the splendid buffet luau prepared by the Polo Club Kitchen.
The guest of honor, palanggas, was everyone’s favorite Sen. Juan Flavier, who breezed in with his wife Susan F. The couple are Morinda drinkers and have openly endorsed it to their friends.
Joining the Flaviers at the main table, dahlings, were former Solicitor General Frank Chavez; one of Cosmo Manille’s best emcees, witty Johnny Litton; Morinda distributor for Honolulu Larry Lim; good-looking Dell Williams from Morinda’s world headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah. Myrna Espinosa, whose husband Gen. Edgardo "Spine" Espinosa is our unofficial envoy in Taiwan; publisher Antonio Cabangon Chua; and Beth Micaller, the only Morinda Double Diamond distributor from the Philippines.
A strictly-for-fun contest to choose the Best Costumes spiced up the affair. Earning high points – and going home with bottles of Tahiti Noni Juice and attractive Morinda freebies – were Yolly Ayson, Len Olbes, Lilibeth Campos, George Vail Kabristante and moi. The highest honors went to popular couple Mellie Ablaza and her tycoon husband Louie A., who were voted by "on-the-spot judges," Pitoy Moreno, Danny Dolor and Ben Farrales as "Tahiti Queen and King of the Night." In addition to limited edition premium-packed Morinda bottles, the winning pair received an all-expense paid holiday to Boracay, a prize this international jet-setting couple was so thrilled to have won, palanggas.
One couldn’t miss other head turners in colorful exotic island attires: glamour gal Yolly Ayson; former beauty queen Myrna Borromeo; Heritage Hotel’s hardworking F&B promotions manager Geena Zablan; dusky Joanne Matschuck; dance maven Maribel Dario; Polo Club member Vicky Assad; evangelist Cita Fernandez; sugar-rich Betty Chua; Vicky Dee of the ChinaBank famille and Rotarian wives Office Garcia and Thesa Garcia; restaurateur Kathy Park of the popular Korean diner, Kaya with Maya Grace Katigbak; TV host and alabaster beauty known as "The Body" Cory Quirino; winsome Rowena Aquino; Ballroom Empress Becky Garcia; seductive Southern beauty Ginajane Grey; and always a fashion plate Fe Rodriguez.
Not to be "outdressed," palanggas, were the gents who wore their brightest Hawaiian outfits.
Talking business and politics were businessman Martin Romualdez and his pal Robert Young; el guapo Paqui Campos; popular Serge Ayson; L.A.-based designer Eddie Ocampo; antique collector Ernie Liwanag; Frank Evaristo; Bvlgari’s Mario Katigbak; hardworking PR persona who delivers, Bob Zozobrado; fishing magnate Francis Tiu Laurel; Capt. Chuchi Reyes; Capt. Reuben Sternberg of PAL; Andy Santos and Bong Roxas who are on leave from the OWWA office in Rome.
Guests who entered the Polo lounge were greeted by beautiful usherettes – Bodyshots discoveries Grace Roque, Kathy Moya and Diane Espedido and the lone usher, handsome John-C Borjal. Dressed in sarongs, they welcomed the fashionably on time guests like vivacious Honorary Consul of Monaco Fortune Ledesma; glamour gal Evie Costa; Jewelmer’s prime pearl Baby Cruz; Franck Provost’s Peggy Castañeda; Margie Ongkeko; and Bennie Espina. All enjoyed the flower-bedecked tent by the swimming pool where the Morinda tasting station was manned by local Morinda executives John Balledos,, Richard Nixon Gomez and Dan Custodio.
This fun happening was also a belated birthday celebration for society columnist and PR gent Donnie Ramirez who just happens to be a close pal and business associate of the Fongs.
To our hosts Kenneth and Linda Fong, thanks loads for such a fun night. Aloha, palanggas.
The rhythmic Latin band played, as champagne and wine overflowed. Hip movers and shakers rocked on the dance floor till the crowing of the rooster, palanggas.
Our gal Allana M. was tres bejeweled that night "for the heck of it," as she put it. She looked real cool in a sexy wine-colored number.
The party was in full gear by 9 p.m. palanggas with a mix of hotshots like socialite Jojo Z. and mega businessman Henry Zabarte; vibrant Carmen Kierulf; feminine Southern eye-catching Betina Lopez Osmeña; Jerry Richards; Dancing Queen Aida Posadas; Joey and Tina Kierulf; Bob Dore of our very own Philippine Airlines; Señor Gallego of Santis’ Delicatessen; Carlo Lopez; Marite de Luzuriaga; Alan Young of Icebergs; Royal Dancing Empress Becky Garcia; and Pilaring Quiros; among others.
The dance floor was opened by Allana M. and her steadier than steady love, brilliant and good-looking Dr. Bryan Villar with a surprise impromptu dance number. A special rumba and samba dance number was then rendered by Allana’s beloved niece and nephew, Stacy and Brian Ocana.
Apres, one of the celebrator’s confidantes, palanggas, Eva de Koenigswarter and other close pals offered a toast and their best wishes to the celebrator.
Our birthday girl’s true pal, vibrant, cyber-smart columnist Dolly Ann Carvajal and quick on the draw Peque Cui of the super popular 105.1 Crossover were the fabi emcees that night.
To Our Princess for a day definitely had one of the best, Latin inspired birthday bash in years.
Cheers, palangga!
What a town, huh? Smile and see you!