Ageless beauties

Who says that models need to be youthful? Ageless beauty shone in a Liz Clairborne Spring/Summer fashion show, participated in by breast cancer patients who named themselves Bosom Buddies. The event was held at the Dusit Hotel Nikko’s elegant grand ballroom. PINK!: A tribute to Mothers was organized by the Bessie B. Legarda Memorial Foundation (BBLMF), Inc. To everyone’s total enjoyment and pleasure, the Dusit again displayed the epicurean expertise of its chefs and the excellence of its service and amenities!

The beautiful Dang Cecilio-Palanca led the invocation, while attractive newscaster Korina Sanchez gave an inspiring daugher’s tribute. Hardworking BBLMF president Monica Aveo informed guests of the foundation’s mission. Everyone cheered as the Bosom Buddies gracefully traipsed on the catwalk in their stylish and predominantly pink clothes.

I commend your vision, ladies! Congratulations on a successful event!

A Warm Welcome For Jardine Matheson Executives

Top honchos of Jardine Matheson Ltd., an Asian-based conglomerate and principal of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, recently flew in from their Hong Kong headquarters. Naturally, their first stop was Mandarin Oriental, Manila, one of Jardine’s market-leading businesses in Asia and the latest recipient of the Business Hotel in the Philippines, an award conferred on the hotel for the third time by media entities CNBC and Business Asia.

Jardine Matheson Group country chairman (Philippines) Aloysious Colayco, together with the hotel’s executive committee warmly received the group led by Jardine Matheson Ltd. managing director Percy Weatherall.

In a lunch reception at the hotel’s Fontaine Room, Percy Weatherall and his colleagues from Jardine Matheson, director James Riley and corporate finance manager Patricia Or took the occasion to meet with senior executives of the Jardine Davies Group of Companies in Manila, among them were Jardine Davies, Inc. SVP and director Geoff Thomas; Jardine Lloyd Thompson CEO Kevin Norman; Jardine Direct Co., Inc. GM Colin Rice; Jardine Land EVP Harry Rodriguez; Jardine Schindler GM John Free; Jardine Shipping Services operations manager Rene Vargas; and Jardine Agchem GM Rosalino Rondon.

After Weatherall’s welcome remarks, Colayco gave a performance report on Jardine’s business units in the Philippines. Wallace Business Forum president Peter Wallace served as the occasion’s guest speaker.

Congratulations to the Mandarin Oriental for satisfying the high-class taste of these powerful executives!

Golfers Shine At Taylormade Launch

What becomes a legend most? TaylorMade, the world’s top name in performance golf, attracted a stellar roster of golf cogniscenti, from former President Fidel Ramos, who packs one of the smoothest swings in town, to Tommy Manotoc, now with the Philippine Golf Development Foundation. The event was held at the newly-opened City Golf Driving Range along Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

In store for guests was the unveiling and winning demonstration of the "golf club that’s set to turn golf history on its ear." The TaylorMade r7 is expected to send shockwaves through the golfing world, being a unique club that is fine-tunable to the individual golf swing of each golfer.

Congratulations for a successful launch! I can’t wait to try a TaylorMade r7 myself! See you at the greens!

Art And Technology For Charity

It was an event where art and technology elicited generosity for the underprivileged. The Art of IBM Masterpiece wireless auction was held by IBM Philippines and Intel Philippines together with UNICEF for the benefit of deprived Filipino children. The unique event, Stunning Wireless, made use of the latest wireless technology on IBM Thinkpads to auction off works by leading contemporary Filipino artists, including National Artist Manuel Baldemor and a couple of IBM wireless ThinkPad notebooks.

IBM Philippines head honcho Joaquin "Jajo" Quintos was on hand to welcome the auction guests. UNICEF country representative Dr. Nick Alipui graciously thanked the generous art enthusiasts who had attended the event. A total of P400,000 had been raised by the auction. Your columnist served as the evening’s emcee.

Cheers to IBM Philippines, Intel Philippines, and UNICEF for organizing such a wonderful event!

Celebrating Women

If there’s one cause for celebration, it has to be the beauty and wit of women. The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) did just this when it celebrated International Women’s Day at the Manila Polo Club recently. The theme "Celebrating the Progress in Women’s Lives" was highlighted by inspiring speeches, an enjoyable musical interlude and a gathering of socially responsible and beautiful ladies.

Keep up the good work, UNIFEM!