A toast to the penultimate chairman

No less than Sir Michael Kadoorie, chairman of Hong Kong Shanghai Hotels Limited and owner of several Peninsula Hotels worldwide, flew in for the conferment of the honorary chairmanship of Manila Peninsula Hotels on esteemed businessman P. L. Lim. The Peninsula Manila GM David Batchelor hosted the intimate luncheon in the Magsaysay Room of Old Manila, making sure the table was decorated with the festejado’s favorite blooms and menu as prepared by Old Manila chef de cuisine Tobias Genheimer. The highlight of the luncheon was the unveiling of P.L.’s photograph which hangs right beside those of Lord Lawrence and Sir Horace Kadoorie, recipients of the 1962 Magsaysay Award for Public Service.

Congratulations, P.L.!

A double celebration of life

It was a double celebration when Jacqueline Claire Yu Banos, daughter of Juan Antonio Banos and Dr. Cynthia Banos, was welcomed into the Christian world as she marked her first birthday at the Mary the Queen Parish in Greenhills. Proud grandparents Ernie and Fe Yu, and her godfathers and godmothers, looked on as the cheerful little girl was baptized by Fr. John Andreu, SDB.

After the baptism, her first birthday party was held at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong. Jacqueline’s family came to shower the color-filled place with gifts and cheers.

Happy birthday, little Jacqueline!

Five lovely ladies

The Love 14 Foundation recently hosted a dinner at Mezze, Greenbelt 2 in Makati for the incoming Manila’s Five Loveliest 2006 and their parents. The dedicated officers of the foundation, led by chairperson emeritus Irene Martel-Francisco, chairperson Nini Licaros, president Naty Pappas, past president Helen Ong, directors Becky Garcia, Virma Vergel De Dios, Cha Cha Camacho, treasurer Mel Meer and PRO Donnie Ramirez, gladly proclaimed this year’s Five Loveliest: Nina Gomez, Erica Marquez, Angela Madella, Christine Napoles and Cristalle Ranillo.

The five young ladies were indeed worthy of the titles bestowed upon them as they radiated poise and elegance. The search for Manila’s Five Loveliest, supported by Smart Infinity and Robert Coin, is an annual major fund-raising event for the foundation’s scholarship program.

Congratulations to the lovely ladies!

Viva España!

It was a memorable meeting of two close cultures once again at the Flavors of Spain 2005 launch at the posh Top of the Citi in Makati. The event, presented by Fuego Hotels and Properties and The Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX) of the Spanish Embassy, treated guests to a wonderful spread of Spanish delights. Hardworking Fuego Hotels VP/COO Alfredo Roca was on hand to welcome the guests, composed of friends from the diplomatic corps, prominent businessmen, as well as a number of personalities from Manila society. Your columnist was the evening’s emcee.

Top Spanish food favorites from various food and wine partners satisfied everyone’s palate, especially the exquisite Jamon Iberico Spanish ham, the evening’s "guest of honor," flown in from Spain for the festivities. Taal Vista Hotel will host the festival for the entire month of October; Pearl Farm Beach Resort will be the festival’s venue for November; and members of the exclusive Club Punta Fuego will enjoy the festival for all the weekends of December. All three hotels and resorts will feature Spanish lunch buffets every weekend with chef Mikel Arriet.

This one is for Gerry

The much respected and well-loved architect Gerry Contreras recently celebrated his birthday at the Gercon building with his close friends. It was an evening of merriment and high spirits as everyone enjoyed each other’s fellowship and camaraderie. The esteemed architect’s majestic residence with a stylish black and red motif, exquisite Chinese antiques and impressive Asian décor on display once again inspired awe among the guests. Everyone marveled at Gerry’s breathtaking penthouse garden, complete with water and lighting effects.

The food, catered by Via Mare, was as sumptuous and satisfyingly as expected, with a Japanese station, a main dish/pasta station, a salad station and even a dessert station. The place was spruced up by the colorful flower arrangements of Anton Garcia, while the vocal performances of singers Bojo Luzentales, Jenel Bihag, Raymond Roldan and Gary Silangcruz, and the music of the Velvet Mood band enlivened the party. One of the highlights of the occasion was when Gerry and former First Lady Imelda Marcos performed a duet that had everyone applauding!

Happy, happy birthday, Gerry!

Giving breast cancer the pink slip

Fashion meets philanthropy as The Estee Lauder Companies, Evelyn Lauder, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Elizabeth Hurley and Bloomingdale’s join forces in a campaign against breast cancer entitled Give Breast Cancer the Pink Slip! A cocktail party served as the global kick-off for this 2005 Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, as well as the premiere of a super-sexy pink slip designed by Sean "Diddy" Combs. All proceeds will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Let’s all help support causes against cancer!