Yin and yang

The re-opening of Shang Palace in the Makati Shangri-La was a very highly anticipated event that two days were needed to celebrate the grand affair.

Guests made their way through the entrance lined with a red carpet and Chinese lanterns. The pathway to the new Shang Palace was enveloped with fuchsia drapes and tall oriental-inspired flower arrangements. 

Yin and Yang was the evening’s theme as guests tried to pair their numbered invitations (consisting of a yin and a yang) and find their partner to be eligible in joining a raffle for a trip to Beijing and a three-night stay at the Shangri-La Beijing.

Assorted dimsum and wine overflowed as guests were entertained by the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra. Chairman of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Philippines Tom Zita later on drew the curtains to reveal the new restaurant. Ostrich leather and amber colored crystal art lined the corridors leading to the main dining area. 

For two days, guests enjoyed Cantonese dishes that included baked lobster with ginger and spring onion, braised supreme shark’s fin soup with shredded chicken, stir-fried fresh scallops with pine nuts in a crispy taro nest, braised abalone with dried seafood and pan fried beef rolls.

Seen at the event were Presidential daughter Luli Arroyo, Ambassador Benedicto and Ching Yujuico, Mia Borromeo, Bulgari’s Mario Katigbak, Annie Ringor, Geoff Simpson, Francis and Joy Onglatco, Mitos Juarez, STAR EVP Grace Glory-Go, Tessa and Dennis Valdes, Cory Quirino, Raul Manzano, Philip Cu-Unjieng, Marrietta Santos, Pitoy Moreno and the ever familiar friendly faces of Shangri-La like Jarlath Lynch, Christopher Romaine, Randal Linhart, Chad Davis and Joy Wassmer.

Shang Palace is on the second floor of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

(For inquiries, call 813-8888 ext. 7588 or 7599). Paseo Uno’s Lounge did become what they claimed to be "the next chapter in Manila nightlife" as it ended its first season at the poolside of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati.

Lounge had become the longest running bi-weekly social event in recent Manila nightlife history, aside from becoming the first evening "pool-party" in Manila, which sometimes also turned into day pool parties since it would last till the morning after! 

The series brought Manila unforgettable parties like the "Black-7 Black Beats", the "Smart Infinity/Big Fish New Year’s Eve", the "Oscars Red Carpet Night", Gutsy Tuason’s "Visual Music" slide show party and "LOUNGE-24", the first 24-hour pre-holy week beach party in the heart of the city.

Manila was introduced to true deep house music in a new way. DJs who played alongside Lounge’s co-creator and resident DJ Elian Habayeb included Benjo Marquez, Mark Cali-Jentes, Chip de la Calzada, Wendell Garcia, Kevin Ruiz, Stevie Tambunting, Roman Mojica, Steven Lovina and Adrian Cuenca.

Spotted in the season ending party were Ferdi Salvador, Anna Juco, Martin Wisniewski, Pierre Toundjis, Nash Benitez, Edel Jose, Tim Yap, Jori Fermo, Anna Tioseco, Anton Osmeña, DJ Samson, brothers Atom and Dandy Henares, Cindy Tariman, Frannie Gallardo, Nico Montinola, Clarissa Reyes, Phoemela Barranda, Claus Korger, Mai de Gorostiza, Mia de Guzman, Catanduanes governor Lee Verceles, Ritchie Lavarro, Lisa Rossiter, Joel Tantoco, Vince Consolacion and Kit Cojuangco.

After the rainy season, watch out for the start of the second season of Lounge! 

A gala dinner for Piaget

Rustan’s and their guests welcomed Yves Piaget, chairman of Piaget (International) SA and the latest collections from the Piaget ateliers in a by-invitation-only gala dinner held at the Rizal Ballroom of Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

Bienvenido Tantoco Jr., president of Rustan Commercial Corporation and Mr. Piaget unveiled the "box of light" that beamed an array of colors to reveal a banquet setup called Arte de Table consisting of four 48-feet long tables, each adorned with white hydrangeas and white candles, and highlighted by individual golden-white mother-of-pearl show plates for each guest.

Piaget’s latest collections specially flown in for the event were modeled by Apples Aberin, Isabel Roces, Nicolette Bell, Raya Mananquil, Rissa Samson, Joanne Bitangcol, Bianca Valerio, Gary Dulatas, Rocky Salumbides and Felipe Flores in a fashion show directed by Jackie Aquino. 

Delighting guests was the Limelight Collection, a new line with a distinctively avant-garde feel. Also on exhibit were Piaget’s relaunched Polo Watch and Piaget’s Emperador Retrograde, the watchmaker’s most prestigious showcase for its mechanical movements.

The full-course menu consisted of wild mushroom terrine with champagne jelly and sesame lavosh, lobster consommé with lemongrass prawn spring roll, pan seared red snapper with nori wrapped prawn and herb risotto, grilled fillet of beef with panko crusted foie gras with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, tempura eggplant, port wine demi glace, campari-orange sorbet and the dessert was macadamia nut crunch with valrhona chocolate mousse and bourbon vanilla shooter. 

Wine served included Mouton Cadet Rouge Baron Philippe de Rothschild Bordeaux 2002, Chateau Lachesnaye-Haut Medoc-Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon 1997, Robert Skalli Chardonnay South West France 2002-2003 and Moet & Chandon. 

Guests enjoying the dinner included Piaget’s director for sales and marketing Frank Lang, Rustan’s creative consultant for home and visual merchandising Nena Tantoco, VP for fashion Gigi Mabanta, VP for cosmetics and toiletries Rhoda Campos, VP for marketing Joel Tantoco, Shopwise president Donnie Tantoco and VP for marketing Crickette Tantoco, SSI president Nedy Tantoco, Patrick Jacinto, Eddie and Marilou Pineda, Kim and Fely Atienza, Ambassador Jesus Tambunting with wife Margarita, Baby Arenas, the French Embassy’s Bernard Regnauld-Fabre, Mita Rufino, governor Tony Leviste, Maricris Vasquez-Prada, HSBC’s Warner Manning and wife Julie, Mandy and Chuchu Eduque, Mia Borromeo, Bettina Lopez-Osmeña, Dennis and Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Victor Consunji and Chinggay Andrada.

Founded in 1874 in Geneva, Switzerland, Piaget celebrated its 130th anniversary in 2004. Piaget is exclusively available at the Rustan’s Silver Vault in Rustan’s Makati.

Ultimate, luxurious mobility

Cellular phone fanatics as well as the curious witnessed the unveiling of Nokia’s latest premium mobile phone – the Nokia 8800. The latest phone model is encased in sleek stainless steel covers, which glides open to reveal a scratch proof glass display. The ring tones and alerts are composed by award-winning composer Ryuichi Sakamoto. 

The interior of the NBC Tent at the Fort was decked in black and silver as guests feasted on food by Le Souffle. The Ariel Lozada directed show featured a second tier gallery, which served as a viewing deck, with models wearing outfits by Ignacio Loyola.  Entertainment was provided by Anna Fegi. Champagnes and wines were overflowing while cigars were being passed around. 

Guests partied the night away dancing to music by DJ Elian Habayeb. Efren Palabyab, Lorivi Valdes and Tim Yap were the lucky guests who went home with a Nokia 8800 each. 

Seen were Nokia Country GM Parikshit Bhasin accompanied by his wife Jini, Louie and Mellie Ablaza, Citoy Lopez, Eva Abesamis, Globe Telecom’s Gerry Ablaza, RJ and Frannie Jacinto, Helen Ong, JJ Calero, Jeannie Goulbourn, Frances Lim, designers Katrina Feist and Inno Sotto, Angel Aquino, Amanda Griffin, Jun and Nene Leonor, Singapore Airlines’ Rita Dy, Jojo and Henry Zabarte, Vivien Yuchengco, Mike Toledo, Nini Licaros, Marilou Lovina and Criselda Lontok. 

Guests took home handmade chocolate truffles provided by the Peninsula Manila.