If the first anniversary was unforgettable, palanggas, the second was lovelier. Naturellement, corporate bigwigs, society dahlings, political hotshots and showbiz gals and gents shared in the fun.
Talk show diva Kris Aquino’s star shone brightly as she proved once again that she is the host of hosts. She proudly showed off the special second anniversary issue of PEOPLE Asia with former President Corazon Aquino, Kris and her son Joshua gracing the cover.
Welcoming the guests were Stargate Media Corp.’s honchos, the mega handsome vice chairman and COO Babe Romualdez, and tall and good-looking president Choy Cojuangco, who came with his lovely wife Marissa. Sorely missed, palanggas, was Stargate Media Corp. and Philippine STAR chairman and publisher Max Soliven, who was then not feeling well, and Stargate associate publisher/Philippine STAR president and CEO Miguel Belmonte, who was out of the country.
PEOPLE Asia editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez simply glowed, dahlings, flitting from table to table to make sure that guests were comfy while her better-half, muy simpatico Ed Ramirez, looked on with pride.
PEOPLE Asia executive editor Philip Cu-Unjieng was in high spirits with his svelte wife Tricia C. Marketing director Lucien Dy Tioco delighted advertising pals while administrative head Beth Mendoza wowed the chic invitees with her dancing prowess.
Showbiz stars looked quite a dish (pun very much intended), palanggas, like the gorgeous Pops Fernandez who jammed with super band Hyperbeat; head turner Vina Morales; and gorgeous Leni Rivera. The men also looked good enough to eat, like hunky Troy Montero; delicious Victor Neri; Amir of Rap, Carlos Agassi; cutie pies Mico Palanca and Carlo Aquino; lovable JM Rodriguez; and handsome Patrick Garcia.
Politics took a backseat, palanggas, as the guests enjoyed the night. Among the government hotshots were tres efficient Executive Secretary Bert Romulo; the genial Senate President pro tempore Manny Villar; and distinguished gent, Lt. Gen. Benjie Defensor, the commanding general of the Philippine Air Force.
The lady guests, dahlings, included The Philippine STAR’s workasonic EVP Grace Glory Go and smart managing editor Amy Pamintuan; PR wonder woman Susan Joven; the ever-efficient Tess Santos; slim as ever Mayenne Carmona; attractive Frances Lim; the Westin Philippine Plaza’s gracious Rose Libongco; head turner Josephine Reyes of BSMG Worldwide; BSMG Worldwide Manila’s charming Alma Magsombol; indefatigable lawyer Katrina Legarda; ace talent manager Girlie Rodis; Jewelmer’s jewel Carmina Sanchez; and sultry Boots Moyer.
Dashing gents that night included the tres handsome and low-profile Philippine STAR editor-in-chief, Isaac Belmonte; philstar.com’s president Kevin Belmonte; tres charmant Canadian Ambassador Robert Collette; mega PR man Edd Fuentes; super IDEAZ Plus man Bob Zozobrado; the ever amiable Susing Pineda; RPA and Communicate big boss Philip Abadicio; the Tower Club’s debonair Art Lopez; Philippine STAR executive editor Bobby de la Cruz and deputy managing editor Tony Katigbak; advertising’s Mick Atienza; Infinite Ideas’ Gelo Serrano; talented Joey Espino; charming Rally Martinez; super friendly Ryan Gohu; and Jun Uy, manager of Velprint, PEOPLE Asia’s printer.
Airline bigwigs also came in full force to celebrate with PEOPLE Asia, dahlings – radiant Rita Dy of Singapore Airlines who made heads turn her way with her off-shoulder outfit; lovely Northwest Airlines ITI ladies, GM Gina Campos and Tani Lloren; and Philippine Airlines VP for corporate communications, tall and distinguished Rollie Estabillo.
It was also a night for couples, dahlings. Drawing envious sighs were businessman Sander Tantoco and his wife, STAR columnist Mons T.; ace lensman Pancho Escaler and his Tessie E.; Blue Mountain Arts president and CEO Harry Limtong and stunning Marites L.; and businessman Willie Soliven and charming Ofelia.
Long-time People Asia pals were also tres visible: brothers two, ace lensman Raymund and JR Isaac; top of the line photobugs Francis Abraham, John Mossige and Robert Altamirano who came late-ish; moi dear palangga Alex Van Hagen; good-looking stylists Rosario Herrera and Anne Bella; gorgeous writer and stylist Chris Nieto Lopez; tres talented Rajo Laurel; Cereo Candle Exchange’s Anton Barretto and Angelette Calero; young writers Elizabeth Timbol; Star Mode’s ever-smiling Jerry Donato; and budding photographer Ivan Santos who clicked merrily away.
Also lending their support, naturellement, was PEOPLE Asia’s sister publication Young Star led by editor-in-chief Ginggay Joven; Luis Espiritu; Lexi Schulze; Richard Perez; Essie Romero; and Denise Mendoza.
The night was made even more enjoyable by drinks that flowed endlessly courtesy of Absolut Vodka, Chivas Regal and Tequila Rose.
Prizes galore added excitement that night. Early bird prizes were given courtesy of E! Channel which taped the event that will be shown sooner than soon (watch out for it, dahlings). Among those who won a one-year subscription to PEOPLE Asia were Marjorie Morales, Tani Lloren, Rollie Estabillo, Edd Fuentes, Anne Bella, Voltaire Gonzales and Robert Simborio.
Carlos Pineda and Ryan Gohu won the gift certificates from the Premier Country Club Spa. Javi Berenguer Testa and Roswell Bonifacio took home gift packs from VMV cosmetics. John Mossige was all smiles when he received gift certificates worth P5,000 from Stores Specialists Inc. (SSI) courtesy of The Philippine STAR and its president/CEO Miguel Belmonte. Jake San Diego brought home a Jewelmer gem guaranteed to delight the jewel of his life.
Moi am pretty sure that The Philippine STAR’s Mabel Capco will soon hie off to Subic with her pals, palanggas, to enjoy an overnight stay at Forest Hills, known as Subic’s "home suite home." Northwest Airlines’ Gina Campos, meanwhile, will soon enjoy an overnight stay with complimentary breakfast at the majestic Westin Philippine Plaza.
The night was also full of delicious ironies, palanggas, as a gent, Jam de Guzman won the Charles Jourdan Ladies Watch; and a lady, Dockers’ Melinda Cueto, bagged the Charles Jourdan Men’s Watch. Both had interesting stories to share, dahlings. Did they swap prizes? Moi lips are sealed on that, palanggas.
The partyphiles waited with bated breath for the top prize to be drawn. Moi swears everyone was in agonized suspense, dahlings, as Kris Aquino and Joanne Ramirez called on stage PAL’s Rollie Estabillo, who assuaged the tension a bit when he joked that now he knew why PEOPLE Asia is the top magazine – he was given a one-year subscription and in return, he got a business class, round-trip tickets for two to Hong Kong courtesy of Philippine Airlines. And the winner was – ta dah! – Mars Nuñez of Honda Cars, Phils.
But the real winners that night, dahlings, were the hardworking staff of Stargate Media Corp. Joanne Rae Ramirez proudly acknowledged and called them all on stage: Assistant editor Bing Salud; editorial assistants Charmaine Baylon and Gianna Panajon; creative director Manuel Roma Jr. who left sick bay to join in the celebrations; sales and marketing manager Chrissie Garcia; account managers Alvin Calinisan and Tina Poblador; accountant Joe Quilino; marketing coordinator Paz del Rosario; circulation staff Jannette Velasco; traffic coordinator Joy Avila; bookkeepers Flor Alvarez and Kate Ricafranca; Oliver Gico; Ginverge Gotis; Rod Lagdamat; Violeta Dumasig; and Sheryl Galliguez.
And one more thing, palanggas! Grab a copy of PEOPLE Asia’s Special Second Anniversary issue now, because it’s selling faster than Christmas fruitcakes! Do call tel. no. 892-1854 right now!
That’s your PEOPLE, palanggas! Till next anniversary! Au revoir!