MANILA, Philippines - A memorable New Year’s Eve celebration was held at Nedy Tantoco’s residence. Appropriately, it started with a Holy Mass in grateful thanksgiving for the blessings of another passing year and for good health, for family, for peace and for prosperity in 2013.
The party began with cocktails of Jamon Jabugo Pata Negra (the gourmet Black Iberico ham from Spain) and Swiss raclette. These appetizers paved the way for a sit-down dinner catered by Mandarin Oriental Manila. Executive chef Rene Ottlik created a delectable set that included homemade angel hair pasta with basil broth and salmon caviar crème, white bean soup and scallops, orange-cinnamon sherbet and a choice of Nebraska prime beef tenderloin served with mushroom ragout, buttered vegetables and truffle sauce or sea bass with broccoli mash and uni foam, Mont d’Or cheese on walnut bread, dried fruit and homemade quince jelly, classic tocino del cielo and yema balls and croquembouche.
Guests were asked to draw their much-awaited prizes of choice brands from Rustan’s and Stores Specialists Inc. with brands such as Hermes, Bulgari, Tiffany & Co., Charriol, Roberto Coin and Bedat & Co.
Just when the excitement was building up, a real entertainment treat awed everyone with excerpts from the musical The King and I. High-caliber performances by Bo Cerrudo as King Mongkut, Sheila Valderrama as Anna Leonowens, Gina Respall as Lady Thiang, Tanya Manalang as Tuptim and Lorenz Martinez as Lun Tha. The show is on an extended run at Resorts World Manila until May.
Everyone greeted the New Year with noise, glitter, hugs and kisses after the midnight countdown. They were ushered to the garden to marvel at the 20-minute fireworks display while Handel’s Messiah was played amid pops and sparkles. Guests danced to the music of the Soundstream Band.
The celebration continued after all that dancing after midnight. Guests were again treated to a sumptuous breakfast. It was definitely a year-opener in style.