A double birthday celebration at W/17

Gracious hosts Kaye Tinga and Mons Romulo recently threw an advanced birthday treat for PeopleAsia editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez and a belated celebration for Rep. Gina de Venecia at W/17, a luxury home store along Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City. It was a great setting for a birthday lunch as guests mingled and ate while I went shopping in the wonderful store.

The Filipino food was superb and was prepared by executive chef Tristan Bayani of Katrina Ponce Enrile’s restaurant Petra and Pilar. Lunch included a Filipino salad, pancit molo, laing and fish triangles, beef kalitiran, chicken inasal pasta, pinakbet sa aligi,  and buko pandan with queso.

Designer Rem Divino put the icing on Joanne’s birthday lunch with a cream dress that looked delicious!

W/17 features Filipino-made and imported products for the home. Kaye owns this together with Andy Vazquez Prada, who designs some of the things the store sells. You should check out Andy’s beautifully designed bone china plates as well as shell frames and chairs!

It was a long lunch peppered with fine conversation, great food and a wonderful company! Guests even went home with small gifts from W/17 and Villa del Conte Chocolates from Padova, Italy (available at Shangri-La Plaza Mall).

Happy birthday to Tita Gina and my wonderful boss Joanne!

Eternal flame

Cris and Butch Albert.

Fila’s Butch and Cris Albert decided to renew their vows after 18 years of marriage. Fifteen of their closest friends and family members traveled to Shangri-La Boracay Resort and Spa for the special occasion.

The intimate wedding reaffirmation and post-ceremony party were held in a luxurious private villa, which had direct access to a private beach. Guests nibbled on dried apricot and pine nuts and feta cheese, melon with Parma ham and pepper-seared tuna with glazed pineapple. Of course, Cris’ favorite Moet & Chandon Rose flowed throughout the evening. The dinner consisted of barbecued beef medallions marinated in basil and garlic, pork loin skewers with calamansi and soy, and slow-cooked chicken with thyme. There was a variety of desserts as well, but nothing matched the sweetness shared by Butch and Cris that night.

Happy anniversary!

Silent auction at Now

Now Gallery will have its first silent auction from Feb. 29 to March 3. Guests are set to bid for works of artists like Anton del Castillo, Carlo Gabuco, Nestor Vinluan, Jinky Reynoso, Popo San Pascual, Mideo Cruz, Antipas Delotavo, Gus Albor and many others. The auction is done with the support of the Manila Jockey Club and the Bank of Singapore. 

The gallery is located at Unit M05 Mezzanine Floor, Ecoplaza Building, 2305 Chino Roces Avenue Extension, Makati City. Gallery hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday.

(Please call 555-0683 or check the auction website at http://nowgallery.net/auctions.php.)