Irashaimasu!

The relaunch of Makati Shangri-La’s Japanese restaurant Inagiku was marked with a spectacular two-day celebration. The restaurant’s new look has a contemporary Asian vibe, while the more intimate Tatami rooms adorned in natural wood offer a glimpse of Japanese culture.  Guests were welcomed by Tom Zita Jr., chairman of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Philippines, who unveiled the restaurant, with Makati Shangri-La’s GM Jarlath Lynch.

The menu featured a seven-course meal which included an assortment of sushi and sashimi (including the melt-in-your-mouth toro) followed by a platter of grilled beef and seafood. Boiled zuwai crab, shrimp ball and mushrooms wrapped in egg, and mushrooms cooked with Japanese soup were immediate favorites, as well as the dessert wintermelon and sweet miso sorbet.

Others seen enjoying the party were STAR EVP Grace Glory Go, Tessa and Dennis Valdez, couturier Rajo Laurel who designed the Inagiku uniforms, Anton San Diego, Chit Lijauco, Pierre Calasanz, Lynne Palma, vacationing from Geneva Raul Teehankee, PAL Mabuhay Miles’ Ria Domingo and Babsy Aragon, father and son tandem Oscar and Marco Rodriguez, Mons and Sander Tantoco, Jolly and Gigi Mabanta, Jia Estrella, Marietta Santos, Raul Manzano, Mia Borromeo, Jose and Chloe Periquet, Randy and Irene Fransisco, Daniel Vasquez, Alex Gaborro, Bong Sambrano, HSBC’s Laila Fronda and Canadian Ambassador Peter Sutherland and wife Jo-Lynne.

(For reservations, call Makati Shangri-La at 813-888.)

The Fire Dog continues to bark

Over 700 guests, primarily composed of HSBC Premier customers and all donned in Chinese-inspired attire, welcomed the year of the Fire Dog with a lavish Chinese dinner at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-la Hotel.

Loud drums and cymbals accompanied the colorful dragon dance as doors to the ballroom were opened.  An eight-course feast prepared by the Shang Palace was served while guests were entertained by a breathtaking performance by the Airdancers.

Shaan Bermudez-Hizon hosted the show and encouraged the guests to use the noisemakers that were laid on each table. Raffle prizes were given away with a Home Theater System as the grand prize. Jose Mari Chan also entertained the guests.

HSBC CEO Warner Manning said in his speech: "Tonight, we celebrate our long standing relationship. I wish you wealth, success in your businesses and personal endeavors, excellent health, and inspired by the loyalty and congeniality of the Dog. I wish you new and deeper friendships."

Others spotted at the event were STAR’s JR Isaac, Raul Manzano, Lia Bernardo, Ollie and Butch Campos, Carla Sibal, Kurt Aydin and Basil Ong.

30 years and still running

The National MILO Marathon will now be staged in 30 cities nationwide. This was announced at the launch of the 30th National MILO Marathon attended by the Nestlé group led by SVP and business executive manager for beverages adult health and wellness business unit Eugene David, Nestlé AVP and consumer marketing manager for MILO Michelle Calo and MILO sports events executive Pat Goc-Ong. 

Joining them were Olongapo Vice Mayor and race organizer Rolen Paulino, Benjamin Silva-Netto of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA), DepEd Education Supervisors Criselda Marte and Daffy Zagala, DepEd Physical Education and school sports chief Noemi Bellosillo, National race organizer Rudy Biscocho, Santiago and Dagupan race organizer Tess Bernardino, 2005 MILO Marathon Champs Cresenciano Sabal and Jho-an Banayag and Gervacio Velasco representing Laoag Race Organizer Michael Keon.

The National MILO Marathon has discovered and developed some of the country’s best marathoners such as 2005 South East Asian Games gold medalists Cristabel Martes and Mercedita Manipol. The National Finals will be in Manila on Dec. 10.

The National MILO Marathon has indeed gone a long way, since it was first held on May 26, 1974 with just 767 runners taking part.  Last year, a total of 112,522 runners participated and this year, a total of 182,000 runners are expected to compete in the races.

Finding the Fire Dog at Mezze

A rousing lion dance performed by the Golden Lion Youth Club and a feng shui lecture were some ingredients put in the Chinese New Year party of Mezze co-presented by MasterCard International to welcome the Year of the Fire Dog.

Twelve personalities culled from Manila’s Filipino-Chinese community acted as hosts of the celebration. They were Mercedes-Benz distributor Felix Ang, restaurateurs Rikki Dee and Happy Ongpauco-Rivera, singer-deejay Stephen Ku, Singapore Airlines’ Rita Dy, fashion stylist Kim de Guzman, former model Alta Tan, marketing consultant Marvie Young-Lim, investment banker Anna Ong, businessmen Anton Palanca and Louie Kaw and wedding planner Michael Sy Lim.

Mezze’s resident stylist Maricor Nieto hung red lanterns on bamboo twigs in the outdoor patio while a tree laden with ang pao packets was set-up inside. The tables clothed in rich silk fabric, had centerpieces of red and yellow roses on tiny pineapples with cute little bird figurines. Mezze’s Christine Zarandin and Carlo Estagle created platters which included marinated pork and mushrooms with quail eggs, crispy wonton, baked scallops, spinach siomai, siopao, buchi, and barbecued shrimps over toasted noodles. It was open bar on Shiraz, Carbernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay from Philippine Wine Merchants, Absolut Vodka, Remy Martin VSOP and Johnnie Walker Black.

Mezze president Bobong Velez and managing director Ernie Santos, assisted by PR consultant Donnie Ramirez and marketing manager Denise Albert, had their hands full welcoming the big turnout which included Cito Beltran, PR lady Toni Gregory, Lucerne Watches’ Ivan Yao, RJ Ledesma, Lucio Tan Jr., Frederick Go, magician Erik Mana with business manager Solomon Cu, models Suyen Chi and Annette Coronel and TV host Lui Villaruz.

Mezze Restaurant and Bar is located on the ground level of Greenbelt 2, Ayala Center, Makati.  It is open daily for lunch and dinner.

(For inquiries, call 728-8895 to 96.)

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