PEOPLE-watching

On the 38th floor of The Loft of the Manansala Tower at the Rockwell Center, the Makati evening skyline was as spectacular as the party mood when PEOPLE Asia magazine launched its May issue with a glamorous Lea Salonga and her baby Nic — perched casually on her mother’s hip clad only in disposable diapers — on the cover.

It was also a surprise welcome party for its editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez, who was away from the magazine for six months.

Stargate Media Corp., led by publisher Jose Manuel Romualdez and general manager Beth Mendoza, welcomed friends and supporters to a night of cocktails and soulful Pinoy music. The delectable cocktail buffet was prepared by the impeccable Ilustrado with flowing wine and drinks from Titania Wines, Cerveza Negra and Margarita King. The Champagne band enchanted the crowd with its wonderful renditions of homegrown music. Meanwhile, Penk Ching designed the three-layer carrot walnut cake that served as a great centerpiece for the night.

Also in the May issue are the fascinating stories of international designer Josie Natori, radio and TV personality Ali Sotto, philanthropist Mariquita Yeung, the Dayrit siblings (Jaqui Boncan, Michelle Soliven, Mark, Christine and Yvonne Romualdez), little big man in karting France Puey Reyes, creative genius Raul Castro and the suspense-filled murder mystery of Rico Delgado.

Among those seen at the party were STAR executives Grace Glory Go and Tony Katigbak, Philip Morris CEO Chris Nelson, Weber Shandwick’s Mike Toledo, SM Inc.’s Millie Dizon, Stores Specialists Inc.’s Malu Francisco, Philippine Airlines’ Rollie Estabillo, Babsie Aragon, Kit Javier and Mary Ann Timbol, Air France-KLM’s Dindin Monserrate and husband Pierre, STAR columnists Johnny Litton, Büm Tenorio, Philip Cu-Unjieng, Bianca Salonga, JR Isaac and Philip Juico, stylists Eric Pe Benito and Ferdi Salvador, publicists Edd Fuentes, Donnie Ramirez and Joy Buensalido, columnist Glenn Gale, philanthropist Pinky Tobiano, balikbayan Tess Santos, Nuvo’s Louie Ysmael, Nextelcom’s Mel Velarde and ad men Ed Ramirez and Bobby Caballero.

(People Asia is published by Stargate Media Corp. For inquiries, please call 892-1854.)

Rewarding online experience

Philippine Airlines’ Frequent Flyer Program Mabuhay Miles presented to the media its website’s new look and features at the Circles Café of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

The Mabuhay Miles website has a new, fresh look with user-friendly navigation. Several technical enhancements have been implemented to further improve the site’s performance and to increase security to ensure members’ online satisfaction.

Members enjoy direct access to program information, the latest and exciting news, promotions and events. Potential members may enroll online and immediately receive a permanent Member ID number and print a temporary card. They may also access their "Mabuhay Miles e-Statement" anytime, anywhere.

The site also has the "Claim Missing Miles" interactive feature to request for retroactive crediting of Miles online.

(Log on to www.mabuhaymiles.com)

Inking its way in Manila

Australian-based Cartridge World, the world’s biggest refiller of computer printer ink and laser cartridges, opened its store in Manila. Leading the guests were Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and Australian Ambassador Tony Hely who led the ribbon-cutting rites. Joining them were Cartridge World Philippines chairman and CEO Babylyn Decena-Newfield and husband Bruce.

A brief program followed then a fare of bar chow, juices and wine provided by Ced and Cez Ramirez’s Plato Platina. Other seen were Austrade senior business development manager Eva Yazon, Weber Shandwick president and CEO lawyer Mike Toledo, photographer Rupert Jacinto, Cory Quirino, Becky Garcia and husband Dr. Georg Sarakinis.

A new black

Ralph Lauren launched its latest addition for men’s fragrances at Marionnaud at the Mall of Asia. Polo Double Black was introduced with Argentine polo player Nacho Figueras as the face of the new scent. L’Oreal’s new managing director Luc Olivier Marquet and Marionnaud’s Toni Abad led guests who enjoyed bar chow from Lando Laudico’s Bistro Filipino while drinking Johnnie Walker black.

Polo Double Black is a fresh oriental fragrance opening a new, edgier chapter in the luxurious life of the Polo man. It is now available in leading department stores.

(E-mail me at peppertstar@yahoo.com)