Grand Party after a great regatta

The 14th President’s Cup Regatta hosted by the Manila Yacht Club (MYC) and Subic Bay Yacht Club (SBYC) culminated with an awards night at SBYC’s scenic poolside. A sumptuous buffet and flowing drinks were served to the international and local yachtsmen whose sailing skills were put to the test during the regatta.

 Having their grand time were MYC Commodore Boy Tronqued and SBYC Commodore Vicvic Villavicencio; owner of Asia’s biggest racing yachts HK Frank Pong, whose yacht Jelik finished third place in the overall IRC Racing Division; international jurors Masayuki Ishii from Japan, Tom Sheppard from Hong Kong and Egil Wold from Norway and local jurors Allen Lundy and David Wheeler. Fourteenth PCR chairman and avid yachtsman Jun Avecilla as well as Regatta marketing consultant Cyndy Tan-Jarabata were very pleased with the success of this year’s President’s Cup Regatta which was participated in by 18 yachts from Hong Kong, Japan, China, Australia, Scotland and Russia. The awards night was hosted by your columnist and experienced yachts-woman Rainbow Hackett.

 The divisions in this year’s President’s Cup Regatta are the IRC Racing class, Cruiser Racer class and the Performance Handicap class. Filipino Judes Echauz’s Sydney 46 Subic Centennial snagged its sixth win since 1997 and emerged as overall champion in the IRC Racing division, while USA’s George Hackett’s Jo de Ros steered first in Cruiser-Racer division, and Russia’s Mikhailov Ahexey’s Carrera topped the Performance Handicap division. Unfazed by current leaders in the Asian Yachting Grand Prix’s Open Ocean Racing Class, Ray Ordoveza’s Karakoa essayed second post in the regatta’s IRC racing division.

 Apart from bighearted Rodney Hergety, Chris Neave, Judes Echauz, Capt. Gualberto and Ralph Joseph who lent their boats to the race management committee Jerry Rollin, Tim Bechtel, Peter Sharpe and Arvin Simtoco, the regatta was also supported by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, chaired by Commissioner Feliciano G. Salonga, patron sponsor  The Lighthouse Resort in Subic Bay (opening this September), Legenda Hotels and Casinos, the official hotel; Asia Pacific Boating, the official media sponsor; Japan Airlines, Hotel Interior Finishing Specialists, Volvo, Gatorade, Neil Pryde, Game Plan, Cruiser News, Pier One and PAGCOR.

Sumptuous at the Tower

June is back-to-school for students and back to the Tower Club, Makati’s premier, by-invitation-only business club, for top businessmen and high society. Lim Ai Meun, head of research communications for the Investments Business, Citibank Asia Pacific, will head a business forum entitled Investment Strategies for 2006 in the Continental on June 21.

Partake of French cuisine at the Tower’s French Food and Wine Festival. The Taipan and Continental Dining Rooms will feature a different menu every week starting June 5. Each course is paired with French wines from Sommelier. The Tower Wine Society also features French Wines from Sommelier on June 15 at the Baron’s Bar. Finally, the Baron’s Bar serves old-time ice cream favorites like Banana Split, Peach Melba and Pear Belle-Helene.

(For member and guest reservations, call 885-7085.)

Regency beach all-star

The sea calls to bodies wanting to stretch and lay out under the warm sun. Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Convention Center, the first ever resort along the white beach to achieve a triple A rating, continues to lure celebrities wanting to get that natural tan. Regency chairman and president Henry Chusuey and assistant GM Jade Estardo spoil their guests best by offering them a wide range of luxurious accommodations, sumptuous cuisine and a variety of entertainment options. The resort with the widest beach front sees to it that every need and desire is met promptly and efficiently. Seek the pleasures of beach living at Regency!