Celebrating love & unity

The happily-ever-after concept does not only exist in fairy tales.

This is true for Fila Philippines’ Butch and Cris Albert as they celebrated their love and partnership after 19 years of marriage with an intimate gathering at Las Flores in Bonifacio Global City.

The power couple shared with their closest family and friends their favorite indulgences such as free-flowing Dom Pérignon and the finest selection of tapas and cocktails while they were entertained by the acoustic melodies of Paolo Santos. 

Prominent names in the fashion and entertainment industries were present at the magical celebration with the likes of Borgy Manotoc, Georgina Wilson, Pops Fernandez and Divine Lee.

The truly enchanted evening highlighted the treasured moments the couple shared over the years. 

Congratulations, Butch and Cris! Wishing you many more wonderful years ahead!

Blooming friendships

It has been a custom for the gracious Minerva Tanseco to organize a fun get-together for her group of friends.

This year, Minerva and four of her close amigas headed off to the country’s summer capital to experience the fabulous celebration of the Panagbenga Festival.

The lovely group’s itinerary included visiting the “must go, must see” places in Baguio where they immersed themselves in the rich cultural heritage of the city. Of course, they watched the festival’s highlights — the colorful street dancing competition and the marvelous grand float parade.

Bravo to Minerva for making this delightful affair happen!

Setting the bar higher

The University of the Philippines College of Law team emerged as the champion of the Philip C. Jessup Moot Court Competition held recently at the De La Salle University. Team UP Law is composed of (from left) captain Ma. Margarita Lim, Arianne Ferrer, Gil Aquino, Prof. Harry Roque, Ana Rodriguez, Peterson Poon, Crisela Bernardino and lawyer Macel Seno. The team will be the country’s representative to the international rounds of the Jessup Moot Court Competition to be held in Washington, D.C. Jessup is the most prestigious international law tournament in the world, with more than 600 teams participating annually. Congratulations team, especially to my niece Arianne. You all make the Philippines proud!

‘Shopgirl’ turns 90!

Ninety years is a long time. History showed the launch of the Reader’s Digest magazine at that time. Canada took pride in being the first country to have succeeded in the treatment of diabetes through insulin. And the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was established around that time, too. Back at home, a lovely baby girl was born to Jose and Encarnacion Henson on Solana Street in Intramuros, Manila. They named her Cecilia, “Cely” for short.

When Cely was 20 years old, she  married the “father of Philippine bonsai,” the late Mario Basa. Now a mother of nine with 14 great grandchildren, Cely Basa belies her age.

Full of life and with a regal bearing, Cely was all aglow at her 90th birthday bash. Proof of Cely’s “coolness” is the invitation to her safari-themed party, asking guests to come dressed in animal prints.

Nowadays, Cely spends her time doing socio-civic activities in her community. But her favorite pastime is shopping with her sisters at the Greenhills Shopping Center. No wonder that her giveaways were huge animal-print shopping bags with a tag that said: “If you want to know more about Cely, go shopping with her.”

Many happy returns!