Not too long ago, dahlings, some renowned personalities in the art industry, gallery owners, and art lovers gathered in an exclusive dinner to welcome the Manila visit of Dr. Sendy Widjaja, co-founder and fair director of “Art Moments Jakarta” at the exclusive Manila House.
“Art Moments Jakarta” is an art fair that supports the development of the art ecosystem including galleries, artists, collectors, and the art community in the Southeast Asian art scene. It features more than 1,200 artworks from 52 art galleries worldwide.
Celebrating its recent success, the exquisite dinner was hosted by Dr. Widjaja. My workaholic good friend Derek Flores of DF Art Agency helped organize the private dinner.
I was delighted to see the auction king himself, the amiable and charming Jaime Ponce De Leon. The stylish DB&B country manager Melot Sunga shared a table with fellow wine lovers, businessman Kristoff Vidal, lawyer Mark Gorriceta with his wife Carry Dizon-Gorriceta, and art lover Mike Cruz.
Fresh from her London sojourn, Bambina Olivares of Manila House made sure that everything was okay. The energetic and life of the party Tim Yap was seen having a lively conversation with the gorgeous Art Fair Philippines director Trickie Lopa, art guru and lawyer Tonico Manahan, J Studio owner Jia Santos-Estrella with muy simpatico hubby Gabby Estrella. Ace photographer Alex Van Hagen took great photos of the special gathering, dahlings.
Among the guests who were having a good time at the dinner were Atty. Jing David of Gallerie Roberto; Chitty Cometa of Metro Gallery; Abby Teotico of Gallerie Stephanie; Aida Dela Peña of Kaida Gallery; and Vinyl on Vinyl’s Pia Reyes and Gaby Dela Merced, who graciously hosted the short program.
Seen enjoying one another’s company were Ultra Green Coffee owner Duncan Yu, young CEO and avid art enthusiast Miguel Tan, international art collector Tim Tan, writer and curator par excellence Lisa Guerrero Nakpil, former Disney executive Liberty Batol, and my fellow Ilonggo Carlo Lopez, palanggas.
It was a night well spent, dahlings. Guests enjoyed the sumptuous food served and the impressive ambience and décor. I can’t wait to see the fifth edition of “Art Moments Jakarta,” at the Grand Ballroom of Sheraton Grand Jakarta Gandaria City Hotel in South Jakarta.
And I heard the next one will display artworks including digital art, NFTs and urban art.
Oops! My lips are sealed, palanggas!