The beautiful set became migrating swans and salmons of sorts when they escaped Cosmo Manille’s pollution and crowds. Tired minds and bodies headed for rustic places and naturellement, to our lush tropical islands’ gorgeous beaches. Yes, palanggas, have clout, will travel.
Well-loved Choy Cojuangco and Marissa Echaus-C. jetted off to San Francisco, that fascinating haunt of the rich and famous, where they will stay until the end of May. Handsome actor Rustom Padilla is there for a month-long holiday. Witty Al and Carla Tengco also flew in with their son and daughter. Ultra glamorous Ching Cruz and her son Philip Jr. will stay there until the end of May. Charlie Jimenez and Peachy Nieto Lobregat and socialite Nini and businessman Abe Licaros and their sons, meanwhile, are also in San Francisco for two months of taking it easy.
Former Ambassador to the Court of St. James, Jesus "Chuching" Tambunting, his wife Margie Ansaldo-T. and their attractive daughter Mia flew to London. Banker Jun Tambunting and his wife Nancy Carlos will proceed to London to join Jun’s brother after flying to Rome and Paris. Mega cardiologist Dr. Randy Francisco and his wife, Harrison Plaza’s Irene Martel-F. flew to Paris, too.
Concoy Tuason and ultra fashionable Doody Menchaca-T. relaxed around Sydney and the enchanting Gold Coast for two weeks.
Boracay was the choice of our town’s latest coosome-twosome, dahlings, Southern beauty Celine Lopez and her new constant escort, handsome Ricky Delgado, apres a short trip to Cebu. Joining them were breathtaking beauty Wendy Puyat, fun Patrick Reyno and Chut Cuerva, the former boyfriend of TV’s articulate gal, Cher Calvin and Celine L., would you believe? David Jacob, wiz D.J.s Manolet Dario, Bobet Villaluz and Bruno of Ibiza also headed for Boracay.
Spotted at the Shangri-La Hotel Mactan, Cebu, were Rustan’s dazzling star Nedy Tantoco with her fiancé, businessman Patrick Jacinto, Nedy’s daughter Kathy and Nedy’s son, charmant heir to the throne Michael Huang who is free again, dahlings; tall and elegant Pamen Roxas-E. and hubby Paxie Elizalde with their son, handsome exercise buff businessman Santi E. and his sultry wife Marilen Gonzales-E.
Handsome actor Albert Martinez, his wife Liezel and their children and gorgeous Nerry Mathay basked in Subic Bay’s summer sun.
Doing the same at Tali Beach in Nasugbu, Batangas were Boompy Martel; Eman Pineda; Jose Campos; Ish Montilla; Marilou Prieto and vibrant jetsetter Georgina Padilla McCorn on her yearly visit from Madrid; Bolo Tuason and his wife Cookie Olondrez-T.; Chiquit Cabarrus; and vivacious Pamen Sanchez Hagedorn with tons of guests. Another hot, hot twosome, Ginggay Joven and Noel de la Merced cooed it out at the beach.
Relaxing at their private island Hermana Mayor were Rose Rose Toda Delgado, her brother Benji Toda and their respective spouses, good-looking Franco Delgado and New World Hotel’s mega PR manager Monique Trinidad-Toda; Venezia’s royal couple, Louie and Cecille Ysmael; and ING Baring’s Bing and Kathy de Guzman who jetted into town from their now home base, Singapore.
Glamorous Rep. Imee Marcos and her constant escort, well-liked and good-looking mega Singaporean businessman Mark opted for Hong Kong and Shanghai; so did Essensa’s heir to the throne, handsome Marco Antonio and his entire famille.
Cruising around the Aegean Sea were good-looking Francisco Delgado, sultry Jenny Psinakis and Robbie Goco, soon-to-be the top chef of Jenny P.’s new Greek resto at chi-chi Rockwell.
Choosing the cooler climes of Baguio were Gov. Bongbong Marcos and his wife, cyber wiz and mega smart lawyer Lizza Araneta-M. with their three sons; young jeweler and heiress to her mother’s throne, Linda Oledan; fun Trining Lacson who stayed at the home of her brother; international businessman Tikboy Katigbak; Southern sugar baroness Bibing Montelibano-V. and her hubby, business gent Ted Villanueva and their sons Mark Lorenzo and Leandro.
Off to Siargao were Spain’s Mari Borao; Baby and Bamby Araneta; Connie and Ninggoy Araneta; Maricar Dayan; Stuart Wilson; Lana Sequijor; Mau Alcazar; Noli Gonzales; and good-looking Mark Eduque and his smart and stylish ladylove, Bernice; a genius with flowers and plants, Toni Serrano-P., her observant husband Patrick Parsons and their handsome son Patrick Jr. and daughter Maria.
Linda and Tonet Lagdameo, and absolutely a head turner Susan Reyes with her brothers and sisters enjoyed themselves at Davao’s Pearl Farm.
Holing up in Calatagan, Batangas were international polo player Iñigo Zobel, his wife Maricris Cardenas-Z. and their daughter Natalia; entrepreneur Raul Manzano; Charlie Carmona; Gina Tabuena-G. with her daughters (her husband, music man, Jaime Godinez was in San Francisco); Philippine TATTLER’s editor-in-chief Anton San Diego; dashing Mark Jentes, on a vacation from Los Angeles; Paquito Ortigas solo-ing it without his ladylove Cristina Mijares; exotic Alexis Bayot with steady beau Cris Vogel; tycoon Ricky Razon and his wife Lizzie Santos; Gustav and Cris Warens, plus so many others like them, palanggas.
Heading for Matuod Beach, Batangas were super pals, young tycoon Buddy Roa and his wife, fashionably correct Ruby Diaz-R. and Greggy Araneta and Irene Marcos-A.
And finally, in the fantastic town of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, one of the best beaches I have been to in eons, moi and our gang spent five fabi days with the sun, sea and the cool breeze at the hot spot find of the year, the super Saud Beach Resort and Hotel.
Our thrilled groupie included beautiful couple Philip Cu-Unjieng and Tricia Panlilio-C. with their super independent sons Quintin, Matteo and cutie Luca; feminine beauty Karen Ng-R. and her handsome husband, mega golfer and businessman Gary Romualdez with their well-mannered and good-looking son Enrique R.; Jojo Manlongat, his eye-catching wife Arleine Ico-M. and their son Harley and daughter Claudia; dusky beauty and popular movie actress Joyce Jimenez; quick on the click ace photographer Alex Van Hagen; popular columnist and photo bug Pepper Teehankee; in-demand couturier Pepito Albert; and moi, naturellement.
We were welcomed by workaholic Michael Cheng, our very own PAL Charter flights’ super asset. PAL’s charter flights leave thrice a week for Laoag International Airport and Hong Kong. Michael C. made sure that our check-in went without any hassle during the maddening Holy Week rush, palanggas.
Our wait at PAL’s cool Mabuhay Domestic Lounge was made even more pleasant by such charmant ladies as Southern belles Sarah Bonnin, Flor Bontia and manager Lita Tarrosa. Boarding was announced exactly at the designated time of 3:30 p.m.
Apres a smooth 40-minute flight, we landed at the Laoag International Airport where we were met by Gov. Bongbong Marcos’ all-around persona, our bodyguard and escort for a week, Egay who whisked us through the arrival area into a waiting van.
On a quick stop at the Marcos home in Suba Beach where Borgy Manotoc and his gang of 15 pals from the International School were holiday-ing for a couple of days, we wished Rep. Imee Marcos and Mark a nice trip to Hong Kong and Shanghai.
An hour and thirty-minute ride later, we arrived at one of the best if not the best in Ilocos Norte, the Saud Beach Resort where we were welcomed by Pagudpud’s first lady, the adorable and always so accommodating Maja Henson Sales and her husband, the simpatico Pagudpud Mayor Reynolan Sales.
Ahh, there we were at last in our newly discovered beach paradise, which moi thought we would have to ourselves. Ooops.... hello! What greeted moi was a long line of sleek Nissan Patrols, Pajeros, CRVs, RAV-4s, Expeditions, Explorers and the like. The resort was fully booked! Thank goodness we had made our reservations way in advance.
On the super resort fronting the beach and occupying almost half a hectare, there was no mob around. Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner at the main lounge were a breeze, palanggas. There were no long queues and the well-planned daily yummy menu which their expert chef whips up never runs out.
As we were ushered into our rooms, moi noticed eye-catching tents of different sizes under the trees fronting the beach. They were apparently rented out for half the price of the resort’s regular accommodations, which many familles or singles prefer. The tents are fully equipped from the lights to the bedding. All you have to do is move in with your belongings and have a fun holiday.
Since we were in the tip of Ilocos Norte, moi thought we would have a scorching Holy Week. But moi was wrong for a pleasant breeze fanned us non-stop. The nights were so pleasantly cool, our air-conditioned room was freezing. So much so that Patricia C.-U. and Joyce J. told us, "We practically slept with our sweaters on!" We then had to adjust the temperature of the air-con the next morning. (To be continued)