Kamiseta thanks China & Mai Mai Cojuangco

There were pretty cakes and bright smiles, and warm thank you’s at the Manila Function Room of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel when Cris and Gunn Roque hosted an appreciation party for China and Mai-Mai Cojuangco for their record year last year as models of Kamiseta.

Fabulous cakes were created especially for the Cojuangco sisters by culinary artist Heny Sison. Much to the delight of the guests, Kamiseta owner Cris Roque, who is also a student of Heny Sison, conceptualized the cakes. Mai Mai’s cake was complete with real red and yellow roses and a replica of a Hermes bag! Mai-Mai’s interest in bag accessories was playfully displayed, and China’s own cake had a replica of a Kamiseta tin case, showing the Roques’ appreciation of China’s five years as their original image model.

The evening’s entertainment was provided by the Real Groove Band, whose ’60s and ’70s music had everyone humming along. Ronnie Fortich, who played the keyboards, alternated with the band. Ana Feleo, Jenny Villegas, David Malla, Cacai Bautista, Vilma Lince and Yael Pineda from the Alikabok chorus also sang with them. Cris Villonco, who arrived later in the evening with her mother, Monique, jammed with the band despite the fact that they had arrived straight from a New York flight. Globe exec Nicky Santiago took a chance at the microphone, and, of course, Mai-Mai and China enjoyed singing with Edge, the female vocalist of the Real Groove.

Also sighted at the party were Mai Mai’s friends Noel Otayza, Fides Baes, Via Martinez and Chicky Gonzales, Meg editor Lisa Ilarde with husband Elbert Cuenca, Sarah Jane Paez and husband Nicky Santiago, Young Star Magazine editor Ginggay Joven and beau Noel de la Merced and model Rissa Samson.

It was also a family affair, with the Cojuangco sisters’ mom, Tingting, sisters Pin Cojuangco-Guingona and husband Jojo, and Liaa Cojuangco-Bautista and husband Noel gracing the event. Girlie Rodis, the sisters’ manager and TalentWorks Asia president, was present, and so was Mai Mai’s beau, Benetton’s Andrea Zini.