La Vie en Rouge

Love was in the air when Louis Vuitton Philippines recently held a private cocktail event at its Greenbelt 5 store. After all, the event was held to celebrate Valentine’s in an interesting way. The store was transformed into an inspiration of “La Vie en Rouge” or “The Life in Red.” Florist Antonio Garcia of Mabolo created beautiful arrangements using exotic rose varieties such as the black baccara, sexy red, gran gala and red ranuncula.

Guests were warmly welcomed by Louis Vuitton Philippines country manager Rhea De Vera-Aguirre, PR manager Vanessa Mayuga-Santos and clientele manager Dara David. Flying in for the event were Louis Vuitton’s GM for Micronesia Edouard Faure, HR manager Katherine Ada and VP for client development Tengku Adam Hamzah. Edouard frequently flies to Manila whenever there is a special event in the Louis Vuitton store.

In line with the event’s “red” theme, the Makati Shangri-La Hotel created canapés such as chocolate covered foie gras bonbons, beetroot wrapped ahi tuna, lavender-infused watermelon and pralines — all with a touch of red.

Guests were also given the unique opportunity to observe the beautiful art of calligraphy. Expert calligrapher Pia Pascual rendered personalized love letters for each of the guests. Guests could have Pia write a letter to whomever they pleased and she expertly and beautifully wrote these as they dictated what they wanted in their letter. To add to the festivities, an LV Hotel Groom was on hand to regale the guests with stories and anecdotes about Louis Vuitton’s travel heritage. My friend and the event’s photographer Alex Van Hagen got the last of the limited edition box of postcards from the past, a collector’s item indeed.

LV Philippines clientele manager Dara David, Vanessa Mayuga-Santos and HR manager Katherine Ada.

The evening highlighted the launch of limited edition pieces from the Spring-Summer collections that were flown in especially for the event. Notable were the select pieces of the Alma Autruche and the Stephen Sprouse Valentine’s collection.

A photographer with a Polaroid camera went around taking photos of guests and these photos were given out as guests walked out the door. Of course, the photos were also encased in a red Louis Vuitton cardboard photo holder. Moët and Chandon champagne was served throughout the night.

Watch out for the new Louis Vuitton renovated store coming soon!

Joey goes to DC 

La Sallite Joey Cuisia was honored with an intimate celebration of his recent appointment as Philippine Ambassador to Washington by his former schoolmates at the President’s Room of the Manila Polo Club. Joey’s friends recounted his school days in La Salle and eventually, his prime positions in government. He served as SSS administrator during the late President Cory Aquino’s administration, followed by his post as governor of the Central Bank. 

(From left) Tony Albano, Makati Vice Mayor Kid Peña, Wilson Tieng, Rep. Irwin Tieng, former Rep. Annie Susano and Vanessa Francisco. Photo by Joel Lirio

Check out Club Palladium 

Club Palladium successfully held its grand launch on Feb. 18 with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting graced by top personalities, both in media and in politics, headed by president and CEO of RPN 9 Tonypet Albano, Solar Entertainment Corp.’s Wilson Tieng, former Quezon City Rep. Annie Rosa Susano, Makati Vice Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña Jr., Buhay Party-list Rep. Irwin Tieng and New World Hotel resident manager Eddie Sarton.

Palladium, located at the New World in Makati City, played host to “People from Ibiza,” a theme party from the world renowned Club Amnesia Ibiza. Flown in directly from Spain were DJ Oliver Schmitz and the Ibiza Robot man. DJ Oliver Schmitz gave Manila a sample of what’s hot in the party capital of the world, whilst the Ibiza Robot man wowed the entire party crowd with his display of colorful laser lights and pyro effects. This over-the-top experience is truly exclusive to Club Palladium. 

Martinis on fire

Both singles and couples alike found a reason to party as Mandarin Oriental hotspot Martinis celebrated “Martinis on Fire,” a pre-Valentine’s Day party. Martinis manager Javier Berenguer-Testa, together with DJ Elian Habayeb and Ines Cabarrus of the weekly Music and Wine parties, welcomed guests to the red-swathed venue. The “Red Party” was the first in a series of themed parties scheduled this year, held in the custom of the “White Party” and the Halloween “Hades (Black) Party.”

Party-goers were treated to canapés prepared by executive chef Rene Ottlik and had red and fiery cocktails like the Chili-tini; the Mary Martini (a Bloody Mary without the tomato juice); the Chocolate Martini; Bubbly Passion; Strawberry Bellini; and Black Velvet. Guests enjoyed the musical collaboration of DJ Elian and saxophonist Michael Young.

The hotel’s GM Mark Bradford came to party with the crowd. Bar habitués who wish to check out Martinis on weeknights will find the jazz bar stirring with music by Kat Agarrado on Mondays, the Red Cats on Tuesdays, David Starck with Manila Paris Confidential and pianist-singer Chris Medina on Wednesdays, David Starck again on Latin Night Jazz and DJ Cocoy Puyat on Thursdays and Bea Tantoco and The Sauce on Fridays.

DJ Elian Habayeb and Scott Ruhland.

(Martinis is located at the ground floor of the Mandarin Oriental Manila. For reservations or inquiries, call 750-8888.)