The song has managed to lift my spirits and made me realize that all its lines are so beautifully true, palanggas. So whether you are two or 90, do look up and thank our Lord, dahlings, because there’s no way you can stop this Christmas or any Christmas for that matter.
Fascinating Southern lady Virgie Ramos, through her one-of-a-kind Gift Gate Group of Companies, has been spreading the message of hope for over two decades. Her super pals like talented and good-looking hunks Martin Nievera and Rowell Santiago are taking the lead in making magnum visionaire Virgie R.’s Christmas dreams come true.
This early, ABS-CBN’s brilliant gent Freddie Garcia has vowed to support the campaign since he agrees that hope helps lift the spirits of our countrymen.
Three fantastic events all took place in one night to kick off the celebration.
World-class singer and natural-born comedian Martin Nievera held a concert before an SRO crowd at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel for the benefit of the Vince Hizon Foundation. What better way to celebrate Christmas in advance while simultaneously raising money for scholarships?
One of the night’s highlights was Martin’s special number — what else but Can’t Stop Christmas. It was the first time he sang the moving song in a concert which had evolved from the Christmas campaign of Gift Gate which Hello Kitty calls her home.
Apres the show came the birthday celebration of director Rowell Santiago, who is also a co-writer of Can’t Stop Christmas. The Roxas Room at Mandarin’s Tivoli Restaurant was reserved for the birthday bonanza, which also doubled as the main cast party of the Can’t Stop Christmas campaign.
The Roxas Room was decked out with Christmas trees and wreaths and candles. Dom Perignon flowed endlessly with Christmas carols and tons of laughter in the background. The sumptuous menu of cheese and hors d’oeuvres, turkey and Virginia ham completed the mood for both Rowell’s natal day and the Christmas season.
The close-knit groupie of co-writers Martin N., Rowell S. and Louie Ocampo (who did the musical arrangement); workasonic PR lady Susan Joven and her daughter, YS Magazine editor-in-chief Ginggay Joven who came with her true love, Mr. Charmer himself, Noel de la Merced, Ayala Corp.’s Talentworks Asia president; Philippine STAR book lady Girlie Rodis; our palanggas Ram and Judy Antonio; and the Royal, no less, of Asia’s Alta Moda Inno Sotto.
A few days later, it was time to formally introduce the great song to the media, dahlings. The invitation read: "We want to be the first to greet you Merry Christmas because You Can’t Stop Christmas!"
Believe me, palanggas, if you’ve been with me, you’ve been to all presscons. But this was absolutely the most fun press launch we’ve seen in ages.The tables had wiz gourmet Gaita Fores’ signature yummy appetizers, fruits and lots of Lego bricks (the press was urged to build anything Christmas with the Lego bricks).
It was a riot watching the resulting works of art, dahlings. And since there were so many imaginative personas during that fab happening, each one wanted his or her creation to be called a masterpiece.
"This is the World Trade Center and as you can see, there’s still half a star prominently hanging because even at ground zero, you can’t stop Christmas," said Louie O.
Since Martin N. was there, naturellement, palanggas, there was a lot of singing. Everyone joined him in singing the refrain of the most beautiful Christmas Carol circa 2001 – "Can’t stop the joy, can’t stop the reason, Christmas lives inside of us, from season to season!"
I hope the TV materials come out soon – the kids’ two-minute intro; the 45-second Message of Hope; the 15-second delightful Hello Kitty version; and the MTV. You must see them all, palanggas and you’ll truly believe that no one can’t stop Christmas!
Completing the festive atmosphere were lots of prizes from Gift Gate; the wonderful company which included STAR Lifestyle editor and cool fashion plate Millet Mananquil; working rich gal Leah Puyat; moi guru in some ways Ching Alano; lady with the four B’s Mons Tantoco; workaholic editor Anton San Diego; Benetton babe, pretty, pretty Rissa Mananquil- Samson with hubby, Marzo S.; sisters two, Sandy Prieto- Romualdez and Tessa Prieto- Valdes; Tessa P.V.’s good-looking hubby with great business acumen, our palangga Dennis Valdes; the happy gang of Summit gals led by Myrza Sison; plus so many others like them too smart, nice and creative to mention.
Then came the final game. Huge Christmas stockings filled with Christmas lights in all shapes (lobsters, chili, stars and hearts), Christmas balls and everything else you can find in your Christmas tree were fashionably styled on the fashionably brave and super game contestants – Myrza Sison, TJ Manotoc and Susan Joven.
What great fun! What a great day and feeling!
Remember, palanggas, the countdown to Christmas begins right now because, you can’t stop Christmas. Thank God!
Envisioned by a group of young entrepreneurs as a one- of-a-kind wine lounge, Shiraz carries a selection of excellent wines from all over the world.
Shiraz or Syrah, palanggas, is the name of a grape. The Shiraz/Syrah grape is called Syrah in the US, France and other countries. In Australia it is called Shiraz where it is considered the finest red wine grown there. It is the most widely planted red grape in Australia.
The Shiraz grape was believed to have originated in Persia, but recent research indicates the grape came from France’s Rhone Valley, dahlings. The wine lounge has been named for this variety of grape, dahlings.
The hip movers and shakers behind Shiraz, palanggas, are Tinee de Guzman, chairman of the board of directors; eligible bachelor, good-looking Anton Gonzalez, vice-chairman and director of finance; Gil Coscolluela, director of operations; and young lady of all seasons Lia Bernardo, marketing director.
The board members include Joel Gironella; Marichelle Ligon; Leah Sanchez; Mike Jacob; Peter Limjoco; and Itong Torres. Their wine consultant is Alfredo Pio de Roda.
During the opening night, dahlings, hotshot guests of honor were led by Southern tycoon Jorge Araneta; gorgeously attractive Vilma Valera; renowned architect William Coscolluela; well-liked Bernie Sim; the popular Graham Poon of the Australian Trade Commission; and Albert del Rosario. Joining them were former QC Mayor Mel Mathay; Stella Marquez-Araneta, the lady behind the successful Bb. Pilipinas beauty contest; businessman Lani Bernardo with his wife, mi amiga Conchitina Sevilla-Bernardo.
Apres 9 p.m., Manille’s wine enthusiasts had the whole night to "taste" the best wines that Shiraz carries. Our town’s beautiful pack included tres, tres visible fashion plate, Joyce Oreña-Stadler; Jewelmer’s pride Carmina Sanchez; Tina Bautista; young miss with the four B’s Mia Tambunting; and Dish’s biggest asset EJ Litton.
The fashionable gang was led by hip designers Randy Ortiz and Tonichi Nocom; stylist Jing Monis; models Tweety de Leon-Gonzales and Gem Padilla; former beauty queens Desiree Verdadero-Abesamis and Sarah Jane Paez-Santiago; Ray Lanada; and our palanggas, mega realtor Boy Limjoco and his wife Susan L.
Moi also zoomed in on Rosanna Guerrero; beautiful songbird Leah Navarro; Sam Avila; Mia Nolasco; Mutya Laxa; Tessa Alvarez; Julie Cedo; Rachel and Kiko Climent; Gary Cruz; Patxi Elizalde; Dindo Magallanes; Vivian Yuchengco; Jovy Ang; Gary Coscolluela; Babeth Gomez; TV host Pia Guanio; Grace Miranda; Chiqui de Guzman; Irene Tieng; John Lim; Martin Chan; and Mandy Torres; plus so many others like them too beautiful to mention who breezed in till way past 2 a.m., dahlings.
Shiraz, palanggas, is open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Mondays to Thursdays; from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Fridays; and from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturdays. Lunch and all- day dining are available from Monday through Friday. And if you’re a sizeable gang going over on weekends, it would be better to call tel. no. 892-0758 for reservations.
Well, now you know where you can eat, chat and have a great time while sipping some of the best wines in town. Check Shiraz out, palanggas!
We went bananas and wanted more of Singkit’s great sellers like Pancit Canton; Beef Mushroom; Singkit Mixed Vegetable; and Singkit Hoisin Chicken, which we had for dinner the other night. Moi couldn’t say enough about Singkit’s super menu.
Check them out, palanggas. This is the one and only New York Style Delivery where you’ll definitely enjoy the art of Chinese cooking at your doorstep, served in convenient boxes.
Call them now in Makati ( 892-2551/892-2856 or 816-1269); Pasig at (631-7877 or 633-3482); or in Malate (523-6989). They deliver from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
Oh, excuse me while I rush to call for my Singkit meal tonight.
Have a safe and nice weekend, palanggas. See you!