A smashing 90th birthday bash

Many of the invitees remarked, dahlings, that the Manila Polo Club Ballroom never looked more beautiful and magical than it did that night. "That night", the hottest ticket in Cosmo Manille, was the 90th birthday bash of well-loved Southern lady and grand dame Doña Leticia "Letty" del Rosario who was radiant in a gown designed by her favorite couturier, Aureo Alonzo.

Jetting in to host the occasion was Doña Letty’s son and daughter, gregarious Southern gent extraordinaire Manuel "Lito" del Rosario Jr. and New York and Cosmo Manille jetsetter Ma. Cristina "Minnie" Pertierra, respectively. Minnie jetted in from her Manhattan pied a terre.

The grand celebration had "old world charm" stamped all over it, thanks to the organizer, tall and good-looking Alvaro Pertierra who ordered a profusion of imported flowers from 1816 Florists. Landscape extraordinaire and the del Rosario relative, Adrian "Adjie" Lizares, accentuated the venue with towering plumes of exotic foxtail palms further dressed in flora and fauna. The tent, whose ballroom became a fairy tale oasis, was awash in Doña Letty’s signature color, shocking pink.

As drinks and cocktails flowed, so did super pals from way back, palanggas, like stately PL and Madeilein Lim; Dr. Elpidio Valencia and his wife from old wealth society, Rosie Osmeña Valencia and their daughter, vivaciously fun Leah Valencia; and understated but always a knockout, the bejeweled Baby Araneta Fores.

Reminiscing with other hot- shots where Ambassador Johnny Rocha and his fashionable wife, Pilina R.; the ever-jovial Frank Elizalde and his regal wife who wore a most beautiful red gown, Pamen Roxas-Elizalde; and the seemingly ageless Paco Delgado and his vibrant wife, Vicky Quirino.

From "the good old days" in Iloilo came Doña Letty’s nephew, that one-of-a-kind sugar baron who gave it all up to be a monk, Rev. Fr. Bernard Ybiernaz of the discalced Carmelites (he officiated during an intimate celebration for Letty in her home on the eve of her birthday).

One couldn’t miss other grand dames like Conchita Uriarte, Nenuca Gomez and Rosing Zubiri, the vivacious mother of Gov. Joe Zubiri, all of whom were Letty’s frequent visitors during the glory days of grand homes in Southern sugar plantations.

As the quartet played soothing music, tycoon Louis Aboitiz greeted the celebrator with his wife, dynamic persona Annie Osmeña-Aboitiz. Both had jetted in from Cebu for this grand affair.

Dashing mega businessman Jimmy Ladao and his statuesque wife, Conchita Araneta-L.; civic-minded art collector Jaime Laya; top-of-the-line businesswoman, vibrant Diana vda. de Santos; adorable couple Nando and Maricris Vazquez-Prada; close cousins Sonia Santos, Millie Gamboa and Edie Lizares McKenzie; as well as vivacious Pat de Asis were also seen enjoying themselves.

Doña Letty’s grandchildren, who jetted in from abroad, prepared a surprise intermezzo program before dessert was served. Emceeing the affair was del Rosario grandson, actor and taekwondo master Monsour del Rosario.

There was a fun display of talents as great grandchild Amanda Camille Pertierra played the classical flute and granddaughter, fresh from Spain exotic beauty Tisha del Rosario-Kahl danced the flamenco. It was indeed, palanggas, a super happening as relatives and rich friends from the old world–whether from the North or South–came together to toast a visibly emotional and overjoyed celebrator.

Apres dinner, Nonoy Lopez and his swinging band had everyone rocking on the dance floor, dahlings. Many of the new guards of the partying pack rocked the night away, among them entrepreneur Raul Manzano who did the swing with close pal, stylish gem Karen Santos.

For intermission, super energetic Marivic Madrigal Vazquez, Southern heiress Bibing Montelibano V. and bon vibrant Charlie Jimenez elicited cheers with their take of Marilyn Monroe’s Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend. Dazzling Jamby Abad Santos Madrigal, applauded with glee with her handsome fiancé, Eric Dudoignon-Valade.

You would expect a celebration for a 90-year-old grand dame to end there, palanggas, but no way! The bash continued with a cheese and pastry buffet to go with the hearty round of wine and gossip. The party continued until almost 3 a.m., would you believe? The celebrator dancing with a special friend, then her grandson, and then her son

The night, palanggas, allowed the namedroppable invitees to bask in old memories and renew friendships with the scent of lilies and magnolias wafting in the air. Now, that’s class, Southern style, palanggas.

To Doña Letty, here’s to even more birthday ahead!

King for a Day Bobby N.

Renowned couturier and businessman Bobby Novenario celebrated another great year with a dinner party . Bobby’s chi-chi Forbes home was transformed into a fabi venue featuring draped gauze curtains; hundreds of votive candles; beautiful fresh white flowers; calla lilies, casa blancas, rosals, azucenas and roses and baskets of fresh fruits, dahlings. In-demand florist Ramon Pastor and Bobby N. himself designed and executed the decor for this fun party.

The affair began with a Mass concelebrated by Bishop Raul Martinez and Fr. Gerry Tapiador.

Bobby’s close pal, gourmet Arlene Arce of the yummy Arce Dairy ice cream prepared a scrumptious buffet of seafood paella; prawns; salmon capers Pasta; Legua; Callos; Lapu-lapu and crispy Lechon with Waldorf salad. His sister-in-law, Marinella Novenario prepared her famous Oriental Chicken Salad. Fashionable lady of style Justa Tantoco brought her delicious pineapple salad and excellent oysters. Justa’s home kitchen also makes the best puttanesca spaghetti sauce. The dessert table simply groaned with calorific cholesterol sweets of the best cakes and gelatin salad given by Bobby N.’s gang.

The hundred-plus invitees, palanggas, included super popular and articulate Sen. Loren Legarda-Leviste; former Q.C. Mayor, always with a smile Mel Mathay; gorgeous Vilma Valera; lovely woman, Lovely Romulo; alta sociedad socialite Mercy Tuason; working heiress Doris Magsaysay Ho; fun couple Tina and Ricco Ocampo; world-class architect Conrad Onglao and his beautiful lady love of the Home Inc.-Hospice of Manila Empowerment Inc., that lady who really cares, Susan Reyes; and Philippine STAR columnist Mons Tantoco.

Other guests included Cosmo Manille’s social and business personas Nini and Abe Licaros; Nene and Jun Leonor; nice Karen Macasaet; ultra-glamorous Ching Cruz; Consul of Monaco Fortune Ledesma; hardworking Agnes Huibonhua; super palanggas Ruby and Panchito Puckett; Fashion Czar Pitoy Moreno; attractive Marge Tambunting; adorable Nena del Rosario; Charo Apacible; Gen. and Mrs. Benjamin Defensor; vivacious Ofie Recto; popular twosome Lilibeth and Mike Romero; magnum actor Eddie Garcia; Bong and Sheila Suntay; Billie Trinidad; Cecile and Arthur Pecson; Chit Goho; Anamarie Llanos; Pic and Jean Ramiro; Dina and Victor Reyes; Charo and Charlie Yu; and neighbors Rudy Robles and Leo de Ocampo.

Bobby’s pals from the Two Hearts Foundation also came in full celebrating force: vivacious Susan Laudico; Bing Limjoco; Carrie and Samie Lim; Vivian Uy; Cherry Pie Garcia; Penny Sibal; Betty Mathay; Didi Manarang; Arlene and Rudy Arce; Nita Ortega; Letty Ruzi; Nympha Yatco; eye-catcher Lorna Quisumbing; plus members of the Novenario clan.

Apres dinner, palanggas, the guests were entertained by the Punchline entertainers (arranged by Brenda Reyes). The sound system was by Jun Martinez.

It was a fantastic and memorable fun night for our King For a Day, Bobby Novenario.

To C is to believe

So many pals constantly ask moi, "What is your secret for maintaining your well-being?" So I guess I might as well share moi secret with everyone.

Actually, there is no mystery at all, dahlings. I just make sure that I take tons of food fibre daily. Plus, I have been using the fantastic C-Lium Fibre as a supplement. And believe moi, palanggas, it really works!

C-Lium Fibre helps you "clean" your colon, dahlings. And it’s great for those suffering from hemorrhoids. It is also a "fat absorber" which reduces and controls your weight as a bonus. It reduces bad cholesterol (LDL) without affecting good cholesterol.

I used to be acidic but since I started taking C-Lium Fibre, my acidity disappeared. Dr. Pediatrician, a close pal of mine, was incredibly acidic but since discovering C-Lium Fibre, he has bid his suffering adieu. Another well-known amiga will not travel unless she has six months supply of C-Lium with her which she buys even before buying her airline tickets. In fact, a lot of our friends are already taking C-Lium Fibre daily.

"For the diabetics, C-Lium Fibre is a blood sugar control. Here’s another secret: C-Lium is good for the elderly, the bed-ridden, convalescing, fasting, new mothers, travellers or just about anyone who is constipated.

C-Lium Fibre is made from plant material. It’s 100 percent natural and organic, has no preservatives, no additives and is free from gluten. It has no side effects at all.

"It can be taken anytime but ideally during breakfast,"explained to moi by the gent who turned me on it, el simpatico well-respected persona Albert Garcia. "Mix a tablespoon of it daily with a glass of water or juice and that’s it! Then drink plenty of water all day and you’re on your way to well-being!"

Albert is a practitioner of preventive medicine for over 25 years now. He is well-versed in traditional, alternative and Oriental medicine and has extensive knowledge of medicinal plants and their health benefits. His holistic approach for achieving well-being includes undertaking physical activities like rock climbing; rappelling; snow skiing; swimming; long-distance running; football; weight lifting; and a host of others.

Today, Albert is the president of Garsworth Marketing, a Manila-based marketing and trade development consultancy with 25 years commercial experience in Australia, South East Asia and Indo China. Garsworth’s flagship health product is C-Lium, the fastest growing fibre brand in the health food fibre segment today.

Check C-Lium Fibre out, palanggas. You’ll feel and look super, believe moi. For inquiries, call tel. nos 524-6549, 524-8146; fax no. 521-8311 or e-mail: [email protected]

Please drive sober and safely, dahlings. Remember–speed kills! See you.