In a class of its own

Dishing time

Cathay Pacific, one of Asia’s best airlines, has been making tidal waves with its fantastic new Business Class, dahlings, which many of Cosmo Manille’s society heavyweights and jetsetters have already experienced. They all agree that it’s absolutely superior! Complemented by Cathay’s famed service given by flight attendants including gorgeous and courteous Filipinas, you simply can’t go wrong.

Another big, big news about this renowned airline is the coming launch of its sixth flight out of Manille. Imagine, now you can choose from six flights daily to Hong Kong! Tall, bright and attractive Bettina Palpal-latoc, Cathay Pacific’s mega assistant manager for marketing, told moi how excited everyone is at Cathay about this additional service.

The new flight schedule is just perfect. The 9 a.m. breakfast turn-around of the new CX912 from Manille and the 7:40 early evening departure from Hong Kong will make up for the gaps in the airline’s current schedule. It will also provide more convenient onward connections throughout the day. It will be launched on January next year. But what the heck, dahlings, that’s just about 90 something days more.

The new schedule is yet another reason why Cathay Pacific will long be a favorite of seasoned travelers.

Now, onto another topic. Did you hear the dish, palanggas, about how Swatch-X-Large watches are the timepieces of choice for Martin Nievera and his lady love Katrina Ojeda?

Besides that, moi will let you in on another secret, palanggas. Martin quickly jetted off to Las Vegas the day after the Swatch Mega event because Katrina O. and he were celebrating their anniversary of love and togetherness. Won’t tell you how many years, though! Moi knows the answer, but then my lips are sealed–at least for now.

And then there’s this dish, dahlings, about this former beauty queen (circa EDSA I) who is a crew member of a prestigious Asian airlines. She is seen around various Makati malls with her lovey-dovey, a Hong Kong-based bachelor hotshot lawyer.

Nothing wrong with romantic outings like these, palanggas, except that the former beauty queen is not exactly being honest with her bachelor friend. She has been seen with other admirers especially during her days off from flying and returning to Manila to enjoy herself while her lawyer boyfriend is deep into his neck among legal documents and clients’ appointments in Hong Kong. Is this what he deserves after four decades of bachelorhood? Who is using whom, palangga?

* * *

When Venezia closed a few full moons ago, dahlings, not a few night-owls were disheartened. Well, who wouldn’t be, dahlings? After all, the place was home to tons of Cosmo Manille’s chic party set since it opened five years ago.

With a deadline to beat and the clock ticking, popular architect and an interior designer, Arnel Dayanghirang and attractive project manager Cecille Chang-Ysmael worked double time on Venezia’s renovation which had to be completed within two-months.

When Venezia finally re-opened with a chic-ky new name–simply, V–an estimated thousand hip and beautiful partying namedroppables flocked to V and welcomed it with arms open. They were not disappointed; their wait was well worth the wait. Despite the radical makeover and the new catchy one-letter name, the country’s chi-chi pack felt right back at home in V.

Many other bars and hangouts may have opened but with the turnout that night, proud owner and King of the Night Life, Louie Ysmael proved that he still has his pulse–and that Midas touch–on our town’s night scene.

Among those who braved the early traffic to hie off to V were beautiful couple, Bernie and Marilen Santos-Concepcion; Tara Santos; sultry beauty Bledes Fores; vivaciously fun top Pilates babe Cheska Laurel on a rare night out; Sari-Sari’s GP Reyes and stylish Minelli Bautista; Meg’s one-of-a-kind workasonic Liza with letter "L" Ilarde Cuenca and her hubby, Elbert Cuenca; top photographer Raul Teehankee; Anton San Diego; Aye and Ome Nuguid; and Fabrizio Bilbao.

Everyone couldn’t help but give loads of praises over V’s new tres elegant black and white interiors, palanggas. Among the admirers were Katrina Sandejas; Mike O’Connor; IDP’s AA Arquiza; Southern gent Boyet Sison; George Hashim; Atom Henares; Mike Castañeda; Alf Sy; Mojo Jojo; Amiel Cabanlig; Raymond Toledo; super nice twosome Benjie and Yvette Sevilla; and brothers two, Martin and Mike Litton.

Savvy sisters two from Atelier Almario, Ivy and Cynthia Almario were roundly congratulated for the venue’s impactful 21st century look and their sharp design. Gone are the traditional gold and other things Venetian. Contrasting green by way of artificial topiaries all over the place provide striking accents. The restrooms have not been spared. There are mirrors here, there, and everywhere. The look is simple but clean, elegantly top of the line.

A new touch was added to V. Being a bar and party place first and foremost, you can behold parallel ledges on opposite sides of the bar, with cushions, backrests and elevated trays black and white, natch!

On chill-out nights, dahlings, invitees can sit comfortably as if they are in the confines of their cozy homes. That opening night bash also became a venue to gyrating warm bodies. Grooving to the beat on the ledges were irrepressible Faith and Ritchie Lavarro; Maricel Crespo; Apple and Bubbles Barretto; Cinderella’s heir to the throne, handsome Ritchie Santos; Robin da Roza; exotic beauty Rachel Lobangco; vivaciously wonderful Vicky Perez de Tagle; eligible bachelor, Cebu Vice Gov. John John Osmeña; and Rhea Hermoso.

Thanks to V’s trade partners, booze–Absolut Vodka; Chivas Regal; Mule; San Miguel Beer; Jose Cuervo; and Johnny Walker–flowed endlessly for all to get high on. Some lucky invitees also went home with Sari-Sari gift packs.

Adding glitz and glamour to the night, palanggas, were Maripi Muscat and Johnny Velasquez; ultra glamorous Vicky Zubiri and her brilliant daughter, Stephanie Z.; the fantastic, hard-to-beat Tessa Prieto-Valdes; TV’s hot, hot babe Korina Sanchez; good-looking Paul Daza; and Hey Jude’s Jude Lee who breezed in from Boracay.

Partly responsible for the great party vibe was that Gent of the Hour, Pepper Teehankee, seen enjoying his drinks with his pals, Wendy Puyat; fashion plate and well-read STAR columnist, one of moi’s favorite personas Celine Lopez and her fave architect, Victor Consunji; New York City boy Patrick Reyno and Xavi Miro; and Tricia Cu-Unjieng; EJ Litton, seating it outside at the outdoor terrace with mega businessman Louie Chuidian; plus so many more like them too beautiful and famous to mention, palanggas.

In keeping up with the times, Venezia has reinvented itself into V which is definitely in a class of its own.

The night Greenbelt turned black

Recently, dahlings, all the greens in New Greenbelt turned pitch black. Super personas celebrated a night of style, substance and sophistication at the cinemas in an exclusive affair reserved for some of society’s party pack.

Lights led the black-garbed invitees to the entrance of Greenbelt 3. Looking like stars at the Oscar’s as they tread the red carpet, showbiz personas, media mavens, partyphiles and topnotch athletes easily became the constellations that provided the luminosity of the affair, dahlings. Class and glamour became the two important words of the night, just like the color of the evening, that immortal shade of elegance–black!

Cameras flashed and cocktails flowed endlessly, palanggas, including the bubbly champagne. The new but already tres popular Sentro 1771 easily became the backdrop for the intimate soirée. Their top-class Filipino-fusion hors d’oeuvres took center stage, perfectly minimal in size but with maximum flavor. Indeed, good food, good wine, a good venue and good-looking people are any party’s proof of success. This rendezvous definitely didn’t lack in any of those, palanggas.

The action started as everything went dark. Only then did the party turn to full swing with stunning stars; exquisite food; cocktails; fabi fanfare; and exclusive entertainment all coming together in the newest and most elegant venue in town, palanggas, Greenbelt Cinemas. And, to be sure we don’t forget, the event was just one of the many exciting events the new Greenbelt has in store for us. We just have to hold on tight until the next invite.

Check it out, palanggas, and experience supreme entertainment at the movies and chic cuisine at the new Greenbelt 3 and 2, respectively. You simply can’t miss partying or boogie-ing at the swinging Greenbelt’s 3.

See you.