It's a wine story

Wine aficionados were treated to an evening of crisp wine, soothing music and sumptuous food at the opening of Wine Story at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall. Hosted by your columnist, the event was led by Wine Story managing director Romy Sia with his lovely wife Janet and business partner Christian Tan who introduced the guests to the store’s extraordinary offers such as the 2004 Domaine de Chevalier, Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte Blanc 2003 and Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut. Among the guests who were the first ones to enjoy the exquisite offerings from Wine Story are Alenaire president and CEO Jun Lagman, lawyer Frank Chavez, Ambassador Albert del Rosario, lawyer Rene Puno with wife Ann, Ambassador Tony Villamayor and Allana Montelibano. Cheers!

Bellevue’s new Chinese dining hotspot

Give in to a one-of-a-kind Oriental dining experience as The Bellevue Hotel, the luxurious destination South of the Metro, invites you to savor the fine, authentic taste of China with Phoenix Court, the hotel’s newest Chinese restaurant, which will have its grand opening on May 26. Brilliant Malaysian-born chef Cheong Kwan Loong, who specializes in special Chinese cuisine particularly fine Cantonese and Szechuan dishes, will be at the helm as the restaurant’s newly-appointed executive Chinese chef. See you there!

Velvet visits the Lagoon

Velvet, the premiere entertainment channel for women, recently had its group lunch at the Regency Lagoon Resort, the first resort in the Philippines designed exclusively for guests 18 years old and above, as personally created by the brilliant visionary chairman Henry Chusuey. As part of Velvet’s Tropical Tease event in Boracay, the group, with some of Manila’s hottest celebrities, had a great time in this amazing resort. Cheers!

A dinner for two great ladies

In honor of Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral and Education Secretary Mona Valisno, Philippine Hoteliers Inc. vice chairman Evelyn Singson hosted a farewell dinner party for the two outstanding ladies at Dusit Thani Manila’s Umu Japanese restaurant. Paying tribute to the noteworthy contributions of the two secretaries were their closest friends who had a great time over superb Japanese cuisine served at the exquisite restaurant. Among those who enjoyed the splendid dinner were Mel Alonzo, book author Bing Carrion-Buck, former SSS president Cora dela Paz, Yoly Ong and Nina Yuson. Cheers to a job well-done, Esperanza and Mona!

A chant for charity

The Zonta Club of Makati and Environs led by club president Olga Martel and sponsorship and ad solicitation committee chair Jojo Zabarte, in cooperation with the Filipino Heritage Festival, will sponsor Chanted Journeys, a benefit show for various institutions such as Bayanijuan and the Duyan Project. Set to be held at the main theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines on May 21 at 8 p.m., guests will be treated to a fusion of traditional Ifugao music, contemporary arrangements from composer Jesse Lucas, the Philippine Ballet Theater and mezzo soprano Clarissa Ocampo. See you there!

(For more details, call 864-0365 or 541-5900.)