Coralie harriol’s harm

Philippe Charriol’s very own exquisite gem, daughter Coralie, graced the superb dinner tendered by exceptional host and president of Rustan’s Marketing Corporation, Nedy Tantoco, for the fast-rising jewel designer, at the Tower Club, the country’s most prestigious, by-invitation-only business and social club.

Accompanied by her mother Annick, the slim, statuesque stunner was led to the Taipan restaurant’s exclusive Ming function room, where a special course awaited Nedy’s guests. Ever the impeccable hostess, Nedy saw to a delightful dinner, expertly selecting from the excellent courses of the Taipan, the famed Chinese restaurant of the club, with special vintages for the French mother-and-daughter tandem.

Coralie, who is also the company’s image model, is in the country to promote Charriol’s first collection of jewelry called the Coralie 18k Gold Collection. She came in a fabulous outfit with zebra print and splashes of red flowers that showed off her svelte figure, and complemented the company’s latest, exquisite creations which she wore that evening.

Among those who welcomed the blond beauty were Catherine and Michael Huang, Jaime Pineda, Ralph Peter Jentes, owner of Schwarzwalder; Anton Huang, executive vice president of Rustan’s Marketing Corporation and Stores Specialists, Inc.; Patrick Jacinto of TJ Industries, Philippine STAR EVP Grace Glory-Go, Robbie Herrera and Minnie Jentes.

Coralie engaged Nedy and her guests in an animated chat and gamely posed with the fabulous pieces.

* * * The Art Of Asian Tea Drinking

It has been practiced for centuries, and many have sworn to the benefits derived from it. It has even gained the status as the drink to accompany reflection. Indeed, the art of drinking tea is often delicately nuanced by the diverse cultures in different Asian regions, and here lies the fascinating aspect of enjoying this drink.

It comes as no surprise therefore that the Asia Society Philippine Foundation’s recent invitation to the Asian tea drinking event, at the Mandarin’s Fontaine Room, became a well-attended event. The affair proved to be quite revealing and an absolutely enriching (even filling, if you like) experience for those privileged to be there.

The embassies of Sri Lanka, Japan and China, countries where tea drinking is a way of life, participated in the event with Nestlé Philippines providing generous support. The event featured Sri Lankan Ambassador PG Karunasiri and his wife Sakuntala delivering a rich detailing of the origins and history of tea and its benefits.

Ever chic Doris Magsaysay-Ho, Asia Society’s chair and an avowed tea drinker herself, was joined by executive director Sonia Ver in welcoming a house full of distinguished guests, led by Team Asia’s Michael and Monette Hamlin, socialite Helen Ong, Maricar Zaldarriaga, Tessie Luz, wife of National Artist Arturo Luz, publisher-editor Nancy Reyes-Lumen, BluPrint and My Home editor Tina Bonoan, Starweek editor Doreen Yu and many more.

The Mandarin’s Fontaine Room touted tea sets and dinnerware designed by Filipino artist Pacita Abad, who is renowned worldwide for her rich colors and unusual textures featuring traditional Indonesian puppets popularly known as wayang.

For everyone, it was an undeniably fascinating experience, a tour of the cultures and the nuances of Asian tea drinking.