A wine harvest festival

May the New Year bring you and your family all the bountiful treasures that life can offer…

The NBC Tent in Fort Bonifacio was transformed into the parvis or courtyard of 15th century Notre Dame de Paris in the Beaujolais Nouveau festival, a French tradition marking the arrival of the first wine of the harvest. Close to 1,400 partygoers enjoyed the festive atmosphere as they drank the light and fruity red wine. This year’s Beaujolais Nouveau had a sweet tang with a hint of very ripe small red fruits like strawberries and raspberries. A smorgasbord of cheese charcuteries, and French delicacies was served to complement the wine.

A band of playful jugglers and gypsies kept the audience entertained and blended in the Parisian motif, and your columnist served as the master of ceremonies. Chinchin Gutierrez portrayed the famous gypsy Esmeralda from Victor Hugo’s Hunchback of Notre Dame. The evening was highlighted by a grand raffle draw of two round-trip tickets to France and 17 days of a European vacation riding in a Peugeot 206 XT.

Here’s to a great wine harvest all year round!

Coming Of Age

Just like her name, she seems to float in the air – graceful, carefree and calming to the senses. The stunning Melody Gersbach, once the little daughter of Jimmy and Bot Gersbach, has now grown into a beautiful woman. In fact, she was one of the "Dream Girls" of the Allure section this year. In her recent debut at the multi-awarded Mandarin Oriental Hotel, friends and family watched the little bud of a girl blossom into a fair and delicate flower.

The Gersbach family, led by the bubbly Bot, pulled out all the stops to make this event unique and memorable. The ballroom of the Mandarin looked like a scene straight from Cinderella, with flowers and ribbons lending a fairytale-like ambience. A huge white cake was adorned with red flowers and golden candelabras added a touch of class. Above all, it was Melody, the princess of the ball, who glowed and awed all those present. Joining Melody on this happy day were brother Marlon, sister Magnolia, grandmothers Adelita Manuel and Agnes Gersbach, and a ballroom-full of friends dear to her. This night will undoubtedly be one of the favorite songs in the life of sweet Melody.

Happy birthday, lovely lady!