An auction for all seasons

Your columnist had the honor of acting as master of auction and ceremonies at the recent gala event, An Auction for All Seasons, which was held at the Westin Philippine Plaza’s newest and biggest venue, the Harbour Garden.

Organized by the Westin Philippine Plaza together with People Asia, Lifestyle Asia and Metro Society; top international airlines Air France-KLM, Cathay Pacific, Gulf Air and Lufthansa German Airlines; and Gift Gate, the auction raised over P1 million for UNICEF’s program of education and proper nutrition.

The "who’s who" of Manila’s high-society, business, politics and fashion lent their full support by engaging in some friendly competition and outbidding one another for the many items of desire and dream travel packages that were up for grabs that night.

Manila Bulletin’s Emilio Yap III took home the coveted Manuel Baldemor painting, Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, and my fashionable Look Who’s Talking co-host Tessa Prieto-Valdes won a Kate Torralba ensemble plus a trip for two to Frankfurt via Lufthansa complete with luxury hotel accommodations.

Also seen at the event were power couples Lito and Kim Camacho, Cesar and Fe Rodriguez, PDI’s Chelo Banal-Formoso, MMPI’s Sari Yap and Carla Sibal. The sprawling tent was decorated in elaborate backdrops that recreated winter, spring, summer and autumn while the hotel’s executive chef Brian Farell likewise prepared a bountiful feast for the senses that included lobsters, oysters, prawns and champagne-soaked fruits.

Westin Philippine Plaza’s GM Shane Cunning and his team did a superb job of taking guests on an enchanting journey of the four seasons and creating a spirit of giving that were all for a good cause.

A knight to remember

French businessman Philippe Gauthier was recently knighted into France’s prestigious National Order of Merit in a simple but elegant ceremony at the residence of French Ambassador Reneé Veyret.

During his 25 years in the country, Philippe has made many significant contributions to French-Philippine ties, including being a founding member of the French Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines and the European International School. He is the chairman of Asiatype and a staunch supporter of the annual French Spring in Manila.

To Philippe, congratulations on another truly outstanding achievement!

A welcome party for lady ambassadors

The Metro Manila Council of Women Balikatan Movement, led by Narda Camacho, recently hosted a bienvenida for newly-arrived lady ambassadors and spouses of newly-posted ambassadors at the plush Mandarin Oriental, Manila.

Special guests-of-honor were Brunei Ambassador Emaleen Abd. Rahman Tee; Mexican Ambassador Erendra Araceli Paz Campos; Wendy Jeffrey Hely, wife of Australian Ambassador Tony Hely; Artemis Sumer, wife of Turkish Ambassador Tanju Sumer; Noriko Yamasaki, wife of Japanese Ambassador Ryuchiro Yamasaki; Gallie Risa, wife of Norwegian Ambassador Stole Risa; and Daniela Pitty, wife of Panamanian Ambassador Juan Felipe Pitty.

Guests were treated to musical performances by Indian Ambassador Navrekha Sharma, Italian Ambassador’s wife Clara Colesanti and a Filipino medley by Consuls Evie Costa, Helen Ong and Fortune Ledesma.

It was a warm welcome for the diplomats and the ambassadors’ wives that, no doubt, showcased Filipino hospitality at its best.

Sweet deals at The Bellevue Hotel

Sweet, saccharine dreams come true with The Bellevue Hotel’s Cake Reflections, presenting cake of the month, Japonaise Mango Torte. Summer’s favorite fruit takes a new twist with layers upon layers of Japonaise, generously covered with special mango filling.

(For inquiries, call 771-8181.)

Wedding bells toll

Many good tidings to Carlos Balcells who will tie the knot with Dr. Diana Cua on May 28 at the General Aniceto Lacson Ancestral House at the City of Talisay in Negros Occidental.

Carlos, son of Alberto and Carmita Balcells, and Diana, daughter of Sofronio and Florentina Cua, are set to spend the rest of their lives together in love and harmony.

I wish both of you a flourishing and God-centered married life!

All my best wishes!