Well, palanggas, since its formal launch a couple of sleeps ago at the breezy Patio of Makati’s super popular Shangri-La Hotel, Kawayan Cove is a secret no more. Over 500 friends and associates of Kawayan Cove’s developer, Edge Properties, attended the launch in full force. Leading the pack were business magnate Jose Puyat Jr. and his famille who toasted this grand debut of their favorite beach hideaway in Nasugbu, previously known by an elite few as Bamboo Beach.
Our super pal, vivaciously adorable socialite Bingle Razon- Puyat welcomed members of the perfumed set like Rosie Valencia; fun Chang Cordova Bernasconi; golfer Boling Tuason-Reyes; perky Conchita Razon; Dolly Teehankee; Mary Hugo; and Tessie Urbina.
Pinky Puyat-Nepomuceno and bowling champion Paeng Nepomuceno socialized with the popular Carmona sisters two, Marissa Carmona-Chan and Annie; Rosemarie and Tony Villareal; Luli and Jeri Jacinto; Southern gent Rene Ledesma and fashionable Consul of Monaco Fortune Aleta Ledesma.
Long-time Bamboo Beach devotees, palanggas, like workaholic Terry Razon and businessman Joe Hagedorn couldn’t help reminiscing about fun times there with one of Manila’s hostesses with the mostest, renowned beauty Vicky Hagedorn-Soriano and her husband, el simpatico Andy Soriano III. It was a reunion of sorts for Liza Pesaca-Viola; Lawrence Lesaca; Cristina Po; and Michelle Mari who shared their childhood fun days at Bamboo Beach with Dixie Mabanta and the Fores famille of Margarita, Joe, Bledes, Oye, Malou and their mom, international socialite Baby Araneta -F., in a rare night-out.
Also seen were next-door Nasugbu beach neighbors, former Philippine Ambassador Isabel Caro Wilson, her good-looking son Stuart and her daughter Claudia Wilson- Tambunting; Pel Romualdez and the Punta Fuego gang of scions Pedro Roxas and his wife Gina Tambunting; Ed Roxas; and Patxi Elizalde.
A live strings quintet of PPO members serenaded the hotshot guests as Edu Manzano gamely hosted the event, palanggas. We were treated to a photo exhibit of large-scale color prints of Kawayan Cove. These included an aerial photo done by Neal Oshima and ground shots.
Drs. Benny Herbosa, Benjie Abela and Ranny Reyes chatted animatedly, dahlings, while Dina and Tammy Campos; John and Keena de Jesus; Nanette and Chris Koruga with their daughter Katrina; Minney Reyes; Josephine Senares; and Mayette Roy couldn’t gush enough about Kawayan Cove.
In another part of the ballroom, nibbling on the excellent finger cocktail food prepared by the hotel’s talented chefs were Marivic Puyat-Limcaoco, her husband Bingo with super pals Philip and Sandy Romualdez; Jim and Marilou Lacson; Cecille and Val Suarez; Pam and Eric Ramirez; Joanna Ongpin-Duarte; Noel Bautista and Dr. Liaa Cojuangco-B.; sisters Martha Uy and Marissa Concepcion; Rene Banzon; and Jerome Velasco.
Also spotted were gregarious working socialite and Philippine STAR columnist Leah Puyat; Angelette Calero; Anton Barretto; Lita Puyat; top-of-the-line photographer Denise Weldon-Minana; Tina and Rose Treichler; Reggie and Moray McAndrew and Tito Uichico; New York City boy Patrick Reyno; Tim Yap and his soulmate Jonjon Rufino; coosome twosome Celine Lopez and Victor Consunji.
The starry summer night was a reunion of old-wealth famille and pals from way back who welcomed new residents; would-be residents; friendly neighbors; and warm well-wishers. Yes, palanggas, Kawayan Cove’s stunning launch was definitely an unforgettable night.
Catch you at the beach, palanggas.
The event simply called V! started at 9 p.m. The weather was mercifully cool and breezy as the hottest names in Manille’s night life scene breezed into Makati’s party Mecca. Venezia was barely recognizable with an elaborate tropical-inspired set-up. Outside, palm trees stood by the entrance and metal barricades draped with white cloth were set up along the borders of the party area to keep gatecrashers out. Hollywood lights (like the bat signal) flashed overhead, calling on party animals to join the celebration.
Booze flowed from 9 to 11 p.m. courtesy of Chivas Regal, Absolut Mandarin, Bacardi Rum, Bombay Sapphire, San Mig Light, Mix, Artic Vodka and cool, refreshing Corona Beer, dahlings.
Needless to say, loads of gorgeous babes flocked to Venezia like Manille Golf Club’s mega asset, attractive working socialite Janine de Padua; sexy babes Thelina Nuval and Tina Pamintuan; the ever-pretty Jane Yu and bossom pal Rosanna Peña; vivacious and brilliant Celine Lopez; young entrepreneur Heidi Ng; one-of-a-kind Pilates beauty and brains Tina Romulo; tres svelte, sultry beauty Bledes Fores; Reny Hartman; vibrant social worker Bea Zobel Jr.; Yessey Solano; Brigitte Badura; Joey Rhythms’ adorable workasonic Tina Tinio; Cherrie del Rosario; Cal Carrie model Bianca Valerio; event organizer Mals Ledesma; the eye-catching Trillo gals, Annie and Pia; and the savvy Christine San Diego.
Super looker Tina Pluquet was the guest bartender that night. Not to be outdone, our town’s hip dudes shindig-ed and showed us a thing or two about what real partying is all about. Tomcats on the prowl included businessman Boy Limjoco; Asian Spirit’s mega chairman Noel Oñate; Jojo Manlongat; Mango’s Ed Tekeli; Tony Gonzales; Ralph Joseph; Ramon Diaz; handsome and suave Mike Toledo; top golfer and entrepreneur Charlie Carmona; Jess Sarmiento; C! Magazine’s top hip gent Paolo Martel; David Padua; Ricky Ysmael; Danny Hernandez; music man Chito Melo; Troy Escolin; and chef of chefs extraordinaire, the King himself, Billy King.
Guzzling on the drinks while socializing outside were trendsetters Miguel Rosales; New York City boy Patrick Reyno; Victor Consunji; Sari-Sari’s GP Reyes; gent with a camera Pepper Teehankee; Terrence Sy; Rustan’s rah! rah! dude Joel Tantoco; Tito Herbosa; and Marco Antonio.
Couples galore that night included power couples Denise Lacson-Misolas and hubby Al; Dennis and Lizzie Arce; top golfer Peng de Tagle and vivacious Vickie Perez de T.; Ramon Monsod; beautiful Lorraine Schuck; and Clifford and Rhonda Certeza.
As expected, palanggas, the movie pack belonging to our town’s social set were tres visible: Rustom Padilla; gorgeous Ruffa Gutierrez; handsome Mico Palanca; Southern gent Monsour del Rosario; and hunky Troy Montero.
At 12:30 past midnight, suave resident host Boyet Sison raffled off gift packs from Sari-Sari. Twenty lucky night owls went home with beach wear or beach gear. Venezia’s big kahuna Louie Y. and his wife, gourmet Cecille Chang-Y. table hopped to attend to the familiar faces and close pals who have been fiercely loyal to Venezia. No wonder Louie Y. went around all night with a wide close-up (!) smile on his face, palanggas.
The event was made possible by Deco Centrum (which boasts of elegant Baccarat and dazzling Swarovski crystal accessories); Crossings Department Store; Cinnzeo, Nielsen’s Bageri; Nach-O Fast; and Hairbytes at the basement level of Shangri-La Plaza Mall which did the hairstyling and makeup of the models.
Manille’s top male and female models sashayed on the ramp in easy-to-wear separates and fully-lined blazers in contemporary colors and styles. The ESSENXA Ladies Line had ready-to-wear outfits and accessories for leisure, corporate casual, and formal requirements. There were trendy tops and blouses that can be delightfully matched with figure-flattering skirts and slacks, as well as alluring dresses in linen blends and other blended fibers.
CX Men’s Line, meanwhile, reflected the fashion spirit of young male working professionals and entrepreneurs, dahlings. CX presented a full line of men’s clothing for casual, corporate and formal wear using the finest from Italy and Japan. The collection included totally cool plain or printed casual shirts in cotton, linen and other blended fibers; classically styled business shirts in quality materials; dapper jackets and business suits exquisitely constructed and shaped with inner linings; and neckties.
The hip ESSENXA and CX brands are available at CEO Shops nationwide in Robinson’s Galleria, Ayala Center-Cebu; Robinson’s Place in Bacolod and Iloilo; SM Department Stores; Robinson’s Department Store; soon at Rustan’s Tower EDSA; and Crossings Department Store in Metro Manila, palanggas.
A pleasant way to spend a weekend is shopping for ESSENXA label, wearing it to party at Venezia at night, and the next morning, driving out to Nasugbu, Batangas’ Kawayan Cove to chill out for the weekend.
What a great summer!