Although 1,200 personas were expected to show up at the grand ballroom of the swinging Westin Philippine Plaza, it seemed like the number had doubled or tripled once the guests were inside the elbow-to-elbow ballroom.
"It’s a fantastic turnout," said super-pleased and debonair Air France general manager Louis Vergeon, who endlessly circulated all over the place with his wife, tres charmante blonde-looker, Francoise Vergeon. "It’s way in excess of the last year’s event at the NBC Tent’s," gushed super-fun Philippe Gauthier.
Besides tables laid out all around the ballroom and laden with food, cheese and crepes, waiters kept running around from the kitchen with trays of hors d’oeuvres to feed the hungry hordes.
Having a blast were Le Club Comité Executif (Executive Committee) members led by president Lionel Rossignol; vice president Jean-Pierre Etroit; Louis Vergeon; and director Paul Alan Dollinger.
The great fun party had several goodies up during the raffle, a gorgeous necklace with a South Sea Pearl pendant from Jewelmer; a 19th-century Elmwood Shanxi Desk with foot rollers from the Qing Dynasty China; a weekend-stay in Dumaguete’s premier Atlantis Dive Resorts; plus other great giveaways for lucky winners. But the big prizes were the two round-trip tickets on business and economy class on a Manila-Paris-Manila flight, dahlings, aboard the tres chic French airline, Air France, naturellement.
The place rocked until way past 2 a.m. with the swinging Jewelmer Jazz Band.
Needless to say, many wobbled out while others literally had to be carried to their cars.
But then, that‘s what a good, real party is all about, n’est ce pas, palanggas?
The Ablaza residence never looked stunning as it did with bright baubles and beads, richly sculpted garlands and candles or lights that sparkled both inside and outside. The smell of fresh evergreens filled the air of every corridor and room. Jun-Jun’s Christmas trees–not just one nor two but 39 of them!–were still the centerpieces of the displays. The dramatic Christmas trees were decorated according to the theme, Christmas Masquerade. They were set up and trimmed with Venetian-style masks ornately embellished with jewel-toned rhinestones plus tons of other ornaments, palanggas.
Gilt objects which included cherub figurines carrying urns of fresh grapes, uniquely shaped bowls of roasted chestnuts were used as centerpieces.
Dining and dancing followed cocktails where red and white wines flowed, complementing a steady supply of Charlie’s pritchon and The Plaza’s fantastic giant chicharon.
Catered by The Plaza, dinner was matched with an endless array of Filipino food and fresh lumpiang Bacolod. The Plaza’s Millie Reyes also served her famous baked Virginia Ham complemented by freshly-baked pan de sal and kesong puti. Bibingkang galapong and puto bumbong were served for dessert. Apres dinner, a dance exhibition was given by Dancesport Champion Belinda Adora and Dance Super Diva Becky Garcia, alternately partnered by Bong Marquez. The dance exhibition motivated the other invitees to the dance floor, rocking to the music of Gloria Gatmaitan and her band. The invitees let their hair down and kicked their heels, making the occasion festive and frolicsome.
There were so many ambassadors who came with their wives, you’d swear there was a UN conference going on, dahlings–Micheline Jess; Ulrike da Silva; Agnes de Kok; Khov Sang Sereywath; Nick and Nita Ablaza; Tess Yuen; Rosie Castro; Peping and Chloe Periquet; Abe and Nini Licaros; Thelma Gana; Lulu Castañeda; Rene and Fortune Ledesma; Ben Farrales; Pitoy Moreno; Jun and Nene Leonor; Bob and Luz Cullen; plus loads of other hotshots like them.
It was crystal clear, palanggas, as the guests left after thanking Louie and Mellie for a great night, that they surely will await another grand Christmas party at the Ablaza home this year.
It was definitely a season of colors, lights, food and booze, palanggas.
See you.