Lifestyle Asia's Black Swan Gala: They could have danced all night

Taste is what sets everything apart. From the time you entered the hallways that had feathers floating from the ceiling to the mother-of-pearl plates by Jewelmer that served the initial course of foie gras and caviar tandem, which also doubled as the night’s most treasured token, to the nameplate that pledged it was going to plant a tree under your name, they all stood as solid proofs that, indeed God is in the details. And that God wants us to lead the best possible lives, to be a beacon of light for others.

That is one thing I have always admired about the couple Chito and Anna Sobrepeña. Anna is, of course, the editor-in-chief of the Lifestyle glossy and Chito is head of the Metrobank Foundation. One of its prime projects is a competition to launch new artists and designers from across different platforms, but I digress.

We are at the Black Swan gala, and nothing excites me more than a story done through a party. All the little elements, all the sidelights and the people who come and go make for a good buzz. You see throwing a party isn’t just about who. It’s about what, when, where and who did what? Questions meet answers.

Lifestyle Asia had turned 25 years young, a feat that no other lifestyle publication could claim. Its Black Swan gala became its quarter-of-a-century offering. And since 25 years doesn’t come quite often, the folks at One Mega Group made sure all things were special. I could feel it in the voice of Anna Sobrepeña, whose voice had gotten a bit coarse but still a picture of perfect poise in her Cary Santiago gown. She hopped from one table to another, making sure guests felt right at home. One Mega president Sari Yap was a vision in red, and I could see chairman Jerry Tiu smiling and waving at people at the party, again in his uniquely low-key way of doing things.

Black Swan Ball

Also in her element was Lifestyle Asia publisher Cheryl Tiu, wearing a feathered Maureen Disini. She was a picture of grace and style as she thanked the guests who had gone out of their way to celebrate the milestone that was being 25 years young. There were ballet dancers, an orchestra, the works-this was Black Swan themed, after all. The surprise? Instead of getting world class performers to serenade us guests, the Lifestyle Asia team got the world class members of the audience to be the one to entertain the triple A list guests that were present that night. George Yang sang, Chris Tiu played the piano, Migz Zubiri did an upbeat tune, and Bea Tantoco made everyone dance.

Oh, did I mention how grand the gastronomic feast it was? “We made sure to make it Asian and Filipino themed, to reflect who we are,” said Cheryl while we were on the dance floor, with me raving about their fete of a night.

25 years is 25 years. In this day and age where age can be relegated to just being a number, having 25 years tucked under your belt is a rare and extraordinary achievement.

Congrats to the team behind the publication and here’s to more years of featuring people with lifestyles that are rich in purpose.

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Love, light and other things. Follow me on www.twitter.com/officialTIMYAP and on Instagram officialtimyap for more surprises!