Young, fun cloathes for the season

Guess presented its trend-setting Fall/Holiday 2011 and Spring 2012 Collections at the Philippine Fashion Week (PFW). An amazing display of lights and a complementary upbeat club music by celebrity DJ Sanya Smith got the jam-packed event started before models and celebrities sashayed on the runway.

Models included Zia Quizon, Carlo Gonzalez, Tippy dos Santos, Paolo and Bubbles Paraiso, Krista Kleiner, Jamila Obispo, Jon Hall, Anne Gauthier, Jay-R, Maxene Magalona, Ram Sagad and Brent Javier.

The women’s collection revolved around two key denim fits: the flare and cropped cigarette leg. On the other hand, the men’s collection offered washed out indigo and colorful plaid shirts.

Flying in to Manila to grace the show were Guess chairman Michel Stamati and vice president for sales and marketing Anthony Courchet. Welcoming them was Guess marketing director Lorenz Manalang.

The first show of Guess at the PFW reaffirmed its status as the all-American brand for sexy and edgy apparel and accessories regardless of the season.

Guess marketing director Lorenz Manalang.

The Sound of Music at Resorts World

“The hills are alive” at Resorts World Manila. Or better yet, The Sound of Music is alive at its Newport Performing Arts Theater.

The production, which will run until Dec. 11, is headlined by a 50-strong all-Filipino cast comprised of veteran talents and upcoming thespians who truly give justice to this classic tale of love, family and the power of music.

When it opened recently, the 1,500-seat theater was packed with guests who watched Audie Gemora as Captain Von Trapp and Filipina West End star Joana Ampil as Maria. The Von Trapp children who stole the show were played by Paolo Luis Ocampo (Friedrich), Danielle Sanghio (Louisa), Roberto Sison (Kurt), Alida Moberg (Marta) and Tanya Manalang (Liesl). Two of the Von Trapp children came from Filipino showbiz lineage namely Atasha, the daughter of Aga and Charlene Muhlach, who played the feisty Brigitta; and Carmina Villaroel’s niece, Alexa, who played the youngest Von Trapp, Gretl. Miss Saigon alumna and well-known stage actress Pinky Amador portrayed the elegant Baroness Elsa Schraeder.

Show times are 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 3 p.m. on Sundays.

Tourism Assistant Secretary Bong Bengzon and wife Cathy.

(For ticket reservations and inquiries, visit any Ticketworld outlet or the Resorts World Manila Box Office. For more information on Resorts World Manila, visit www.rwmanila.com)

A taste of Louis XIII

A sumptuous 10-course dinner awaited guests when one of the most exclusive cognac brands from the House of Remy Martin, Louis XIII Grande Champagne Cognac, feted them to a special party at the Crystal Room of The Establishment. The party was co-hosted by Tessa Prieto-Valdes.

A sumptuous menu specially prepared for the evening by chef Hylton Le Roux was enjoyed by all. The evening’s highlight was the special sampling of Louis XIII Grande Champagne Cognac led by Tessa and the brand’s director of sales development and prestige business, Christophe Bourrie. 

Rikki and Beng Dee with Chris and Patty Chilip.

Louis XIII uses grapes from the Grande Champagne territory of Cognac, France and is specially blended from 1,200 eaux-de-vie. It is further aged in oak barrels that are several hundred years old in its own cellar. Louis XIII is then placed in special crystal decanters exclusively hand-crafted by Baccarat. The bottles are shipped with a gold foil cork top and a matching crystal stopper specific to each bottle in a presentation box with an authentication certificate with the bottle’s serial number.

Others seen at the dinner included Gilbert Yu, Anton San Diego, Leah Caringal, Pepito Albert, Victor Basa, Divine Lee, Tim Yap, Crickette and Donnie Tantoco and Rosan Cruz.

(From left) Christophe Bourrie, Joey Pineda, Tessa Valdes and Sunny Ku.