Oh so lucky!

It was one grand welcome to the Year of the Ox as the lovely QualiBet founder Pinky Tobiano and Ariel Arce, together with Pianne Nicole and Karrel May Sinfuego, recently hosted a fabulous Chinese New Year dinner for their families and good friends at their lovely Valle Verde home. Everyone was feeling the oriental mood as each guest was treated to a delectable feast of Chinese dishes. To attract good fortune, beautiful “Hok” miniature cakes designed by Penk Ching were also served much to the delight of the well-heeled guests. Chinese geomancer Charlie Chao was also present to provide fortune advice and share good luck tips to curious guests. Noted crooner Richard Poon, with his lovely sister Eva, provided a soulful live entertainment followed by two spectacular lion dance performances and a fantastic fireworks display.

Congratulations!

Camaraderie for a cause

Directors, past presidents and active members of the Friends for Cultural Concerns of the Philippines (FCCP) including Chloe Periquet, Martin Lopez, Gilda Salonga, Tessie Rodrigo and Chichi Laperal recently gathered together to work very hard on their most-awaited annual pre-election assembly on March 12. Showing unity at work are (seated, clockwise from left) Beth Cristobal, Letty Hahn, Nenuca Blardony, Thelma Gana, Karen Macasaet, Techie Cristobal and Rose Lazaro; (standing, from left) Minerva Tanseco, Myrna Borromeo, Boysie Villavicencio and Lulu Castañeda.

Unleashing femme fatale

Recreating the classics with her trademark soulful voice, the multi-awarded Natalie Cole turned to the who’s who of A-list arrangers including John Clayton, Patrick Williams and Nan Schwartz for her chart-topping album Still...Unforgettable. Going deeper into the treasure chest of great American songwriting, the jazz collection features Cole’s phenomenal supple voice breathing life to songs from outstanding musicians like Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne, Sammy Davis Jr., Peggy Lee and Dionne Warwick. Witness one unforgettable performance as Natalie Cole performs live in her upcoming Manila concert on March 11, 8 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum. See you there!

(For ticket inquiries, call Ticketnet at 911-5555, 374-2222 or 374-9999.)

Attracting luck and good fortune

Amidst the splash of Chinese scarlet ambiance and golden emblems symbolizing good fortune, a spectacular lion and dragon dance performance marked another fabulous Chinese New Year fete at The Heritage Hotel Manila. Led by GM Eddie Yeo together with director of sales and marketing Gigi Gaw and marketing communications manager Romina Gervacio, they welcomed more than 300 revelers from the diplomatic corps, corporate circle and media, and treated them to the toe-curling goodness of the Singaporean-inspired Yu Sheng Prosperity Toss. The well-heeled guests partook of a grand feast that included the appetizing Yu Sheng Salad Prosperity Platter and a delectable eight-course Chinese set dinner especially prepared by the hotel’s executive chef Sunny Goh.

Congratulations!

Johnny says, ‘Check this out’

With a bachelor’s degree in opera performance at the University of British Columbia in Canada, Elaine Lee, the mesmerizing soprano, has performed in several praiseworthy concerts with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and as one of the soloists of Adeste Fideles, Johann Strauss’ Fruhlingstimmen (Voice of Spring). The new star of the Philippine Opera World has recently taken the role of producer as well as performer in her first project, Bella Notte which will be showing on April 4 at the Philam Life Theatre.

See you there!

Tutoring Club Salcedo Mascot with treasurer Emily Bengzon. One can never refute the value of education to us, our children and our children’s children. Knowledge is something no one can ever take away from us. It is such a delight to know that some very enterprising individuals put this principle about education in motion with the establishment of the Tutoring Club Salcedo. The Club adheres towards building skills, raising grades, lifting spirits and changing lives. Here’s looking forward to the success of your noble endeavor! Tutoring Club Salcedo is located at Unit 204 Three Salcedo Place, 123 Tordesillas St., Salcedo Village, Makati City. 

(For inquiries, please call 844-7368.)