Stylist, publicist and STAR contributor Eric Pe Benito brings out the best in people, and seems to have a magic wand that transforms people into their stunning best.
I’ve seen him organize and style photo shoots without getting flustered — at least outwardly. He seems to be a one-man army, putting together colossal productions without a battalion of assistants. If Eric has a secretary, she must be hidden in a vault for I have never received a call from her, or seen her shadow. Eric is always the voice at the other end of the line.
And when Eric says, “But of course!” I know everything will be seamless, just like when a trusted physician tells you, “You’ll be alright,” you know you’ll be.
Apparently, so do many others — for they came in droves to help celebrate Eric’s birthday.
Eric celebrated his birthday recently in grand fashion at the Edsa Shangri-La. Guests enjoyed sumptuous buffet of Thai and Japanese food, complete with a carving station with lamb and roast beef. Richard Poon and a band entertained the VIP guests with all time standards of Sinatra, Bennet and Crosby while The Angelos serenaded them with songs by Bocelli and Broadway and light classics.
Seen at the event were ABS-CBN executives Charo Santos-Concio and Cory Vidanes, ABS Publishing’s Philip Cu-Unjieng, Star Magic’s Rikka Dylim, Jocelyn Poon, Ruby Co, Betsy Quisumbing, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando and wife Mayor Marides, Camarines Sur Gov. LRay Villafuerte, Taguig Mayor Freddie Tinga and wife Kaye, engaged couple SSI’s Michael Huang and Kathy Yap, Bench’s Suyen Lim and Michael Shih, JAKA CEO Katrina Ponce-Enrile, Gunn and Cris Roque of Kamiseta, Charina Syquia and the celebrator’s mom Lita.
In lieu of gifts, guests were asked to donate to the Philippine Cerebral Palsy Inc. and the Kythe Foundation — two organizations where the celebrator is a trustee.
The salon-style party was arranged by events stylist Zenas Pineda, a good friend of the celebrator.
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(You may e-mail me at joanneraeramirez@yahoo.com)