A love that knows no bounds

A planeload of Cosmo Manille social and business hotshots, dahlings, jetted into bustling Cebu during a gorgeous full moon. Together with the city’s chi-chi set, they witnessed the merger of two tres prominent familles from the North and the South, palanggas.

The historic Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral was decked with tons of gorgeous blooms by stylist par excellence, la simpaticisima and mega creative Teresin Mendezona. Thousands of flowers and candles – mind you, palanggas, not Tivoli lights – transformed the aisle and the altar into a muy romantic setting for the fabi wedding of young businessman and super charmer Jose Miguel "Michael" Anton and so feminine porcelain beauty Tricia Zosa.

Only one word, palanggas, can describe the church and church ballroom decor at the chic-ky Ayala-owned City Sports Club Cebu – elegant! Muy popular working social gals Pinky Chang and Tess Javier, a successful architect, also deserve congratulations for the excellent flowers and decor, palanggas.

Cebu’s mega fashion guru, moi super talented pal, Philip Rodriguez, earned accolades for the beautiful and exquisite bridal ensemble and other stunning creations worn by Cebu’s perfumed social shakers. The bride’s cousin Marissa Unchuan, known as the official "cake artist" of Cebu’s society functions, created the towering, eye-catching, delicious wedding fruit cake with fondant icing.

The Philippine Peace Philharmonic Chamber Players performed the cool reception music, dahlings, while Cebu’s The Heavenly Rhythms, together with the wow (!) singing voice of Gigi Ruiz, completely captivated us all during the Mass.

Tall, guapo Michael, the eldest son of top businessman Miguel Anton and mega restaurateur, vivacious Edna Reynoso-A., whose famille chose to call Baguio their home in the early ’70s, palanggas, exchanged "I do’s" with the beautiful Tricia, the crown jewel in the home of magnum lawyer and former Con Con delegate Francis Zosa and Tita Cabatingan-Z., who are both tres low key members, dahlings, of Cebu’s respected de buena familias. Tricia’s grandfather is the late Rep. Manuel Zosa, an older brother of the late Eminent Justice Mariano Zosa.

Tall and handsome Fernando Zobel de Ayala, no less, led the distinguished lineup of godparents, which included Irma Bernadette Atillo, president of F3 International, the biggest supplier of fine furniture in the US and Europe and his statuesque wife Irma B.A., a director of Mission Oaks National Bank in California and a stockholder of Bridge Bank, Silicon Valley, dahlings; Sulficio Tagud Jr., the chairman and CEO of C&P Homes; Jeanette Garcia-Zosa of the Visayan Electric Company’s Garcia famille (she is who is married to Tricia’s uncle, Elbert, a senior vice president of the Equitable PCI Bank); sportsman and mega contractor Ramon Sy; Asuncion "Sonny" Velez, who hails from one of Cebu’s oldest familles and is an orchid collector who devotes her time and service to God at the Redemptorist Church and the Cenacle Sisters.

Unfortunately, dahlings, Alexander Cham, first vice president of RCBC and retired Judge Heilia Mallare-Phillipps, both close famille pals of the Antons, could not make it. Alex C. was still a bit ill while Judge Heilia P. was in the U.S. of A. visiting her grandchildren, a beautiful set of triplets.

Moi zoomed in on Michael’s uncle and aunt, Legaspi City and Makati real estate magnates, dashing Tito Reynoso and his elegant wife, fashionable socialite Maryann Pineda-R.

The formidable, close-knit famille was led by its matriarch, our dearest palangga Doña Africa Valdes vda. de Reynoso, so elegant in her piña gown and who was dripping with diamonds and antique tambourine necklace. She is the widow of the distinguished architect and builder Jose Reynoso. Among her children who joined in the celebration was Swiss-educated mega restaurateur Cecille Reynoso, the wedding’s dazzler with her gorgeous pearl-gray exquisite Vivienne Tam gown and her diamond necklace and pair of earrings, dahlings.

Doña Africa’s grandchildren and great grandchildren jetted to Cebu to be on hand for their beloved Tricia’s big day. Tricia was the cyber smart top marketing manager of the Ayala Commercial Center in Cebu. The young Antons, naturellement, will live in Manille, dahlings, where Michael A. manages several of his food outlets.

Cebu’s most gracious Tita Zosa hosted a sumptuous picnic lunch the next morning for the planeload of relatives and pals who jetted in and who were booked at the fantastic Marriott Hotel (which deserves an A+ for its staff’s superb service) at the Unchuans’ fabulous White Sands Resorts, dahlings. Everyone enjoyed the Cebuano buffet, the glorious sun, wild surf, and the grand Cebuano hospitality, palanggas.

Well, palanggas, Michael and Tricia proved that distance is no hindrance for true love.

To our latest beautiful couple, Mr. and Mrs. Jose Miguel Anton, cheers, palanggas!

STB’s new country manager

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB), dahlings, hosted a fun get-together lunch to honor its newly-appointed Philippine country manager, smart mover and vibrant persona Shirley Yeong, no less, at Makati’s in-est hangout, Dish at the top of the line Rockwell Center. Shirley Y. is also the brilliant marketing manager for Southeast Asia. Accompanying her was Mr. Charmer himself, Aloysius Arlando, the mega assistant director for Southeast Asia, whom our palangga Ethel Timbol, says is "her man." The fun lunch was also part of the Board’s annual year-end visit to the country, where its members touch base with local business partners and pals.

It was a great get-together where all of us had the chance to share news and tons of laughs, dahlings.

This STB happening was a close-knit affair beautifully graced by the tres, tres charmant and popular Singaporean Ambassador Jacky Foo, no less, accompanied by the Embassy’s brilliant, super eligible bachelor of all seasons, the hip Paul Koh and a couple of us media personas who have had the honor of being invited to swinging Singapore at one time or another.

The invitees couldn’t say enough about the yummy and well-prepared dishes served at Dish. They ranged from Italian to Vietnamese fare to all-time favorite local dishes from the Barangay resto.

STB, palanggas, continues to be one of the most active organizations. It implements popular and exciting promos like the super successful "Great Singapore Sale Letter-writing Contest" aired on F last July. Two lucky winners along with the F crew and hosts were flown to Singapore for the grand sale.

With Shirley Yeong at the helm, palanggas, Filipinos can expect more fresh and stimulating ideas and events for the year 2002. In the meantime, cheers to you Shirley!

Naturellement, STB in the Philippines is brilliantly represented by one of the best PR agents in Cosmo Manille, the in-demand Nancy Harel & Associates led by the workasonic and bright Nancy Harel, her cyber smart, creative daughter Tamarah Harel and others in their talented team, dahlings.

Enjoy your family and your friends, palanggas, and do drive safely.

Smile and see you.