A much-needed respite

Known for their tireless work in promoting arts and culture in the Philippines, the members of the Friends for Cultural Concerns of the Philippines (FCCP) recently gave themselves a much-deserved break through a fellowship event held at the North Forbes Pavilion in Makati City. Led by the indefatigable president Tessie Rodrigo alongside fellowship committee director-in-charge Cristina Caedo and chairman Karen Macasaet, the event was a simple gathering where the members enjoyed sumptuous food, fun dancing, and superb performances from one of FCCP’s talented scholars. Tessie also took the time to announce the forthcoming annual ball with the theme La Vie En Rose, which will be held at the Makati Shangri-La, Manila on Sept. 17. Proceeds will support the club’s scholarship program and other cultural projects.  

A sweet surprise for Sylvia

Chef Morella Gala, Baby Araneta, celebrator chef Sylvia Reynoso-Gala, Menchu Geronimo, Linda Velayo Fong and Sonia Recto Lopez

Celebrated chef Sylvia Reynoso-Gala was recently fêted with a surprise birthday party by her loving husband, Luismil de Villa Gala, and their children, chefs Morella and Ernest Gala. Gala Stars Culinary School, which was founded by Sylvia and which Morella and Ernest are now part of, has been training Filipino and foreign students who aspire to become the best culinary professionals in the food service industry since 1970. The intimate event was held at Versus Barcade in Bonifacio Global City, a bar cum game arcade and Ernest’s latest restaurant venture with his former classmates. Guests, including the celebrator’s close friends from Assumption College House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Letty Jacinto-Lopez, were treated to a sumptuous lineup of dishes the family is known for, like Sylvia’s famous rainbow cake. They even took home Sylvia’s signature baked Iberian chicken.