A miracle worker

When it comes to diplomacy, dahlings, no one tops the Queen of Nice herself, that lady with the four B’s, dedicated civic leader Gina de Venecia, president of the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. (CSFI).

Some sunny days ago, Gina threw a fellowship luncheon at her well-interiored Dasmariñas Village home for her media pals. It was her way of thanking them for all her projects, specifically the ones that help abused women and children.

In true Gina Vera Perez-de Venecia fashion, she prepared the best local dishes one can taste this side of Cosmo Manille, as only a true-blue Bicolana can. She also included a sampling of her brilliant spouse, House Speaker Joe de Venecia’s native Pangasinan fare, naturellement.

The sumptuous buffet, palanggas, personally supervised by the effervescent Gina de V., consisted of such palate-tempting dishes as ginataang laing; relyenong alimango; kare-kare; fried daing (Bonuan bangus); pork binagoongan; prawns (halabos); Calasiao bijon; nilatikan; rice cake; and chicken adobo cooked using the recipe of Gina’s mom, Doña Nene Vera Perez.

For years now, dahlings, Gina de V. has been tres involved in championing the causes of the abused. As president of CSFI, she built The Haven for the rehabilitation of abused women. The facility will celebrate its seventh anniversary this Sept. 30. It has already helped close to 5,000 battered women, would you believe? All thanks to the will power and dedication of Gina de V.

Gina is now spearheading the construction of The Haven for Children in Muntinlupa City. Once finished, the half-way house will rehabilitate streetchildren until they are ready to rejoin mainstream society as productive citizens.

Now if that ain’t the work of a miracle worker who really cares, then I don’t know what miracles are made of, palanggas!

Meet the other Donita

A launch fit for a queen, dahlings, took place when FILA introduced everyone’s fave babe, Donita Rose as its newest and first female image model. The Philippine headquarters of the international sporting shoes and apparel company went all-out when it threw a rousing welcome bash at Venezia on a rare dry night. No less than witty Boy Abunda annotated the footage of Donita’s arrival as shown on the TV screens inside the bar.

Donita breezed in a flashy red Ferrari driven by the King of Manille’s Night Life, Louie Ysmael. That grand entrance, palanggas, was a fitting way to introduce FILA’s new line of clothing and accessories called–you guessed it–Donita! The collection is inspired by the new and athletic lifestyle that the beautiful MTV VJ now lives. Styled by maverick young designer Noni Diza, Donita the line boasts of fashionable sportswear that can be worn by anyone, whether on the streets or the gym. As shown in the fashion show that preceded the new image model’s arrival, the clothes are more colorful, are funkier and feature eyecatching details from the latest trends. They’re definitely hip and tres, tres versatile.

The mega event, naturellement, gathered invitees from the fashion, sports and media worlds and Cosmo Manille’s night scene. Top FILA hard court heroes and endorsers Elmer Lago, Chris Jackson and Dindo Pumaren lent their support to their fave brand. Seasoned eye-catching tres professional models, Annette Coronel, Issa Gonzales and hot, hip models Rissa Samson, Robby Mananquil and Paolo Paraiso all had a rocking time, palanggas.

FILA’s beautiful first couple, workaholic mega entrepreneur Butch Albert and his stunningly beautiful wife Cris A. were all smiles the whole night, clearly satisfied with the happening.

"I think Donita is the perfect choice for FILA’s new fashionable and athletic range," says FILA EVP Cris A. "She has a flawlessly wholesome image, and many young people look up to her as their inspiration. She’s young and fashionable. She’s always energetic and on the go. And our clothes look great on her."

As for Donita, dahlings, the offer to pitch FILA came at the right time. "I started to look for trendy gym clothes which I can also wear for everyday, and then the FILA people came," Donita says. "I have seen the new styles and the new designs and I’m very excited about them."

And why not? The Donita Fila look is all about sportswear-meets-streetwear with hip-hop attitude thrown in for a more fashionable measure. The sportswear is pretty sexy, too, palanggas.

"It’s a change from what people usually associate with FILA apparel," continues twinkle-eyed Cris A. "Because lest we forget, FILA is about changing the game. And in true Grant Hill spirit, Donita Rose is also someone who embodies the ‘Change the game’ tagline. She played her career from the very beginning and look at where she is now."

Donita can only look forward to a good relationship with her new famille that also shares her Christian beliefs. When asked how much her FILA contract is worth, without missing a beat, Donita said, "I’ll do it even for free." Need moi say more?

Check out FILA’s new line and be part of the in pack, palanggas.

UNIFEM bazaar

The super popular United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Bazaar is all set for Oct. 6, Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Makati Sports Club on L.P. Leviste St. (formerly Alfaro) cor. Gallardo St., Salcedo Village, Makati. This year’s bazaar, dahlings, definitely promises to be more exciting with choice products from special hand-picked vendors.

Proceeds of the bazaar will go to UNIFEM’s economic and political empowerment program, a fund set up to improve the standard of living of marginalized women and to develop their leadership capacities.

As in the past, this year’s bazaar will feature new and unusual items and traditional bestsellers from some 150 vendors. Items to be put on sale include antiques; art pieces and icons; authentic Matryoshka hand-painted dolls from Russia; silver items from India; celadon from Thailand; woodcarving from Indonesia; hand-tooled Cambodian silver decorative items; lacquer pieces and figurines from Vietnam; porcelain and jade decor from China; Spanish fans; colorful creche and embroidered cushion covers from Mexico; silk and exotic fabrics from India; terra-cotta vases; Christmas angels and holiday ornaments; and homemade delicacies; plus so many other great stuff, palanggas.

The reasonably priced quality items will satisfy discriminating buyers and bargain hunters. Bring along your famille and gang and make this your big one-stop pre-Christmas shopping day.

Lunch and merienda will be available throughout the day for those who have the energy to "shop till they drop." Entrance tickets at P50 will be sold at the gate. All major credit cards will be accepted.

This year’s bazaar committee is led by civic-oriented society women who care for the less fortunate: UNIFEM president Beng Puyat, chair; UNIFEM chair Olga Martel, co-chair; committee members Mabel Abano; Alma Calleja; Baby de Jesus; Carmen Africa; Leny Gutierrez; Becky Maronilla; Milette Rosales; Linda Panlilio; Cora Manimbo; Leila Salgado; Virma Vergel de Dios; Loly Tagorda; Tessie Yupangco; and Monica Aveo.

All interested vendors may call Angie at tel. no. 816-6326 or Lourdes at 810-6703.

As always, you can always expect a great time at FILA’s launches, and enjoy the best company and lunch served at Gina de V.’s home, palanggas.

Do smile. See you.