Venezia’s new V facelift

As the saying goes, dahlings, "All good things come to an end," and that high-end club Venezia, was no exception. It can easily be remembered as one of the hottest, hippest bar in town, sizzling on weekends and never dull on weekdays.

Venezia lasted for five glorious years, doing great, but the management decided it was time for a facelift, with a new look to keep up with today’s fast-paced, high-tech touch. And before you could bat an eyelash, the buzz was out, spreading like a wild forest fire, that sent our town’s partying hotshots flocking to this legendary bar. So last Tuesday night, Venezia was packed elbow to elbow, with the beautiful and the fashionable – with a dash of the oglers.

This last happening was exclusively for the loyal high partygoers of Venezia throughout its five-year stint. The fabi sounds blasted out throughout the night making the night owls dance in every space available over the great music that Venezia has been known for the last five years.

To add more fun, an auction for some of the furniture was held (would you believe?), with the crowd bidding to have a little souvenir of their favorite bar.

It was a great mix of the swinging pack of Manille and its expat community, that by 11 p.m., other clients were being turned away, as this was a by-invitation-only bash.

King of the Night Life himself, Louie Ysmael and his adorable wife, gourmet princess Cecille Chang, were at hand with manager Aya Perez welcoming each and everyone as they breezed in, palanggas. Invitees started pouring in as early as 8 and staggered home way past 5 a.m. Not bad for a weeknight, huh! Not bad at all, palanggas.

The A-list crowd, palanggas, included hotshot namedroppables like, el simpatico Ed Roxas; construction magnate Philip Cruz; power couple, vivacious Vicki P. de T. and tycoon Peng Perez de Tagle; beautiful couple, Dish’s mover and shaker Philip Cu-Unjieng and his wife, ultra fashionable beauty Tricia Panlilio C.U., together with their pal, adorable movie star, sultry beauty Joyce Jimenez; vivacious looking babes Giselle Sanchez, Samantha Lopez and Jackie Forster. Another gorgeous couple Charlene Gonzalez-M. glided in with her husband Aga Muhlach, turning all eyes their way. Young engineer Victor Consunji with ladylove, brilliant columnist Celine Lopez and their hip gang of four: eye-catching Wendy Puyat, Chut Cuerva, Patrick Reyno and good-looking world traveler, Marco Antonio; party gent Paolo Martel; and well-loved business wiz, popular Bernie Concepcion. Love team, Bench’s Borgy Manotoc and delicious looker Sarah Meier were busy having eyes and arms only around each other in a corner.Venezia’s loyal good-looking expats included, honchos Christoph Lachinger, Sergio Mazza and Troy Conine who were all managers of the Mandarin Oriental Manila’s Tivoli Grill; British Embassy’s Daniel Painter, with British School’s Sebastian Mangeant, Leslie Falvey and Tracy Adams; model Scott Ramsey; Jean Hetzel; and George Hashim. Having a blast were DFA’s Raymond Toledo, and King of Chefs, Billy King, naturellement.

It was definitely a super successful final bash for one of Manille’s legendary bars, dahlings. Thanks to the genius, talented photographer, columnist and one of the best young royal party organizers in town, Pepper Teehankee, no less, who went all out, making this happening a night to remember.

But this did not end here, palanggas, this Thursday, Aug. 1, take note(!) the gorgeous facelift of Venezia will open with a blast. This time simply and chic-ky called, V!, which will have a class-y black and white lounge. Be there, with the select chosen ones by V’s high priest, Louie Ysmael.

Ann’s birthday lunch

Philippine STAR’s Allure section’s super smart assistant editor, and my very own guardian angel Ann Montemar-Oriondo’s birthday lunch, dahlings, was a thanksgiving celebration for the fabi year that was. "The Lord was so good to me and my family this past year," Ann M.O. told moi, "and even through a small party, I just wanted to share my gratitude with my family and close friends."

The lunch-bunch of about 70 pals and famille gathered at the tres popular Kainan sa Dalampasigan resto, in breezy Nasugbu, Batangas, Ann’s hometown, palanggas, where Dalampasigan owners, Ann’s grandmother Doray Limjoco and aunt Normita Limjoco-Lucas went all out preparing a fantastic bellies filled with delights tanigue steak; buttered tahong; suki-yaki; fish fillet; kare-kare; fresh prawns and crabs; and delectable Nasugbu desserts–sorbetes, turones, bibingka and bibingkoy; plus Dalampasigan’s one-of-a-kind white salad. And what would a Nasugbu feast be like, without Dalampasigan’s signature suckling lechon, given to Ann by her kumpare Ruben Umandal.

Helping entertain the invitees were Ann’s businessman husband fun Benjie Oriondo.; her mother Dr. Rose Montemar; godmother Judge Herminia Lucas; and uncle Rudy Lucas. Ann’s siblings came in full force, older brother Dr. Marlex Montemar with his wife, Dr. Lorie M., and sister-in-law Dedette Montemar solo-ing it since her hubby Bobby M. was in Ilocos. Sister Rida, had earlier phoned Ann, and sent her love and best wishes from Las Vegas, U.S. of A., where she works as a physical therapist.

Pals who drove all the way to Nasugbu for the yummy lunch bash were STAR Dream Girl photographer Willy Saw with Reo Thio; Allure top-of-the-line, graphic artist Arnold San Antonio; that tres charmante mega PR lady of Nancy Harel Associates and Co., Nancy Harel; workasonic Tom Canchela; and the indefatigable, dynamic duo of Amor Maclang and Brad Geiser.

Ann’s nieces and nephews, aunt and uncle Dr. Siony and Dr. Romy Lucas; grand uncle Rafael Simuangco; aunt Salome Umali; and cousins Tetet, Dooanne and Maan Lucas also breezed in, together with Ann’s in-laws, the Oriondo famille, like Benny, Bernie, Cora, Katrina, Pocholo and Bettina O.; and Ann’s super pals Dr. Ruel Villafria, engineer Mark Tom Mulingbayan and architect Chito Puatu.

CADP resident manager Ramon Picornell and his wife Margie, who arrived late-ish with Cynthia Lejano, Precy Salangguit-Garcia, Gaspar, Linda and so many others like them who were mentioned earlier, palanggas.

It was an intimate fun get-together to cap a blessed year for moi gal pal Ann O. Here’s to even better years ahead. Cheers, palangga!

Hotel InterCon’s ‘Makati 332’ attractions

When the country’s premier financial and commercial City of Makati marked its 332nd foundation day, dahlings, the popular Hotel InterContinental Manila, Makati’s first five-star luxury hotel, took an active hand in the grand celebration. Led by its general manager, el simpatico y muy popular Michael Herrmann, who just happened to be this year’s Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP) president. Hotel InterContinental was a member of the steering committee formed by the Makati City government to oversee the many events and activities organized for the month-long celebration.

For that month, tea and coffee lovers availed of Hotel InterContinental’s chi-chi, Tea for Two afternoon offering at the Art Café and La Terrasse, instead of their regular price.

The lobby Art Café exhibit scene, palanggas, joined in the celebration by way of 332 Images of Makati, a unique installation of 332 artistic rendition of people, places and memories of Makati by 31 chosen artists. Featured artists were Ral Arrogante; Jojo Austria; Elgene Bautista; Lawrence Borsoto; Rondi Cabiles; Angelito Calingo; Lexygius Calip; Jonathan Castro; Alan Cosio; Reynold dela Cruz; Ferdinand Doctolero; Henri Eteve; Noell El Farol; Eric Galura; Emmanuel Garibay; Honrado Fernandez; Eugene Jarque; Dan Lichauco; Jojo Lofranco; Marlon Magbanua; Vincent Padilla; Lynyrd Paras; Jess Puertollano; Dan Raralio; Ryan Rubio; Jerson Samson; Lia Tayag; Sandra Torrijos; Claire-lyn Uy; Cristina Valdezco; and Hasmin Yabut.

Part of the artwork proceeds, palanggas, used to support the hotel’s much-needed main charitable and community projects.

What a great way to start the week, palanggas, with V’s grand opening.

Check you out there. See you.