My evening with 5 lovely young women

When Bulgari’s Mario Katigbak invited me to attend the annual Manila’s Five Loveliest dinner presentation, which Bulgari was presenting with the Love 14 Foundation at the Makati Shangri-La, he told me that some of the most exquisite pieces of Bulgari’s Lucea line would be shown.

"They’re simply exquisite, Johnny," Mario assured me. So, ever the gentleman, I asked him politely if, in the course of the evening, I would get to see them and caress them. Much to my delight, he said yes. "Oh, Mario," I added, "and the jewelry, too?"

Irene Martel-Francisco kept reminding me to be there, promising a wonderful evening for me to enjoy.

At the Rizal Ballroom, I finally met Manila’s Five Loveliest: Nicole Dominique, Onrubia Jacinto, Karina Regina Castillo Mantolino, Gabie Tapales Santiago, Carissa Bianca Dee Sarmiento and Rosella Marie Navales Villanueva, all of whom, I noticed, were a bit nervous. So, I suggested easing their anxieties by volunteering a reassuring embrace. Unfortunately for me, such an array of beauty is only for the eyes to enjoy, not to touch, nor feel. Unless, of course, their parents and their boyfriends decided to leave their side, which was not to be the case.

This year’s presentation of the Five Loveliest, I must say, turned out to be one of the best! Highlighted by an explosion of colors and productions, the music and attire ranged from ethnic to futuristic, proving my suspicion that in the future, all mankind will be scantily clad.

Raymond Launchengco opened the show with a song, backed by power dancing. A sultry, raspy-voiced Alya Parcs sang Diamonds are Forever while the girls paraded with the fabulous Bulgari pieces. I overheard a guest say she wanted to take some of them home. "Me, too," I butted in, "preferably, while wearing those Bulgari pieces."

The Lucea pieces are intricate but refined and delicate – an absolute visual and financial temptations. I was almost induced to purchase a few. Of course, if I started to wear them, people might start to talk. So, I decided, they were better off as gifts. My criteria for recipients are simple: young, beautiful, sensual with a generous heart that will always answer no to my questions, "such as do you want to stop, darling or do you want me to go home?"

A high-energy production number preceded Nicole onstage, causing my own energy to go high. This was followed by an ethnic Muslim inspired fusion dance for Kara. Rosella sauntered grandly in a modernist extravaganza, with soft veils and fabulous swathes of fabrics that probably used up what was supposed to cover those dancers dressed in skimpy outfits. But I’m not complaining mind you. For me, it’s always been the dance, more than those fabulous outfits. No, really.

Karina meanwhile essayed a young, sexy biker with leather jacket, bandannas tattoos and studs, backed by rap music, making me nostalgic for the days I enjoyed riding them. I mean the motorcycles. For Gabie, it was a sensual production, with the stunner in a sheer gown, doing a rendition of a modern ballet number that reminded me of ballet phrases such as pas-de-deux, menage-a-trois...

Congratulations to Nini Licaros and Irene Martel Francisco, chairman and president respectively of the Love 14 Foundation, and the brilliant Mario Katigbak of Bulgari.