MVP Group aids flood victims

When calamities strike the country, trust Filipinos to bond together to help those in need.

Following days of rains dumped by the southwest monsoon and intensified by tropical storm Maring, victims in the Philippines saw — and continue to feel — kindness from their fellow Filipinos.

The MVP Group of Companies acted swiftly when it gathered last week its stars, executives and employees to work together in the repacking and preparation of relief goods for distribution at the evacuation centers in flood-hit areas. This act of social responsibility was spearheaded by the MVP Group of Companies chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan at the MVP Tulong Kapatid Center, Meralco Compound in Ortigas.

President of PLDT-Smart Foundation Esther Santos said, “It was really like one big family lending a hand (to the people affected by the typhoon).”  

Daniel Matsunaga, who stars in the drama series Misibis Bay  on TV5, was seen with players of Talk ‘N Text and Meralco Bolts bringing sacks of rice into the covered tennis court that served as the headquarters for this CSR drive. His co-star Ritz Azul helped employees of the Meralco repack the goods. Besides the Tropang Texters, led by head coach Norman Black, and the Bolts, players from the Ateneo Blue Eagles also helped, as well as Gilas Pilipinas head coach and head of TV5’s Sports5 Chot Reyes. The other TV5 contract stars who lent a hand in this CSR drive were Victor Silayan and Gerard Sison.

About 5,000 relief packs containing rice, canned goods, hygiene kits and drinking water were prepared after more than four hours of work by volunteers from Maynilad Water Services, Inc., Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Manila North Tollways Corp., Philex Mining Corp., One Meralco Foundation, PLDT-Smart Foundation, TV5 Alagang Kapatid Foundation Inc. and the MPIC Hospitals Group.

Philex Mining SVP for corporate affairs and head of the MVP Group of Companies’ media bureau Michael Toledo said, “We have been helping the flood victims from Monday (Aug. 19) following the mobilization of our resources on Sunday night (Aug. 18) upon the order of MVP.” He added the relief packs were distributed to flood victims at the coastal villages of Metro Manila and in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga, Bataan and Bulacan.

Pangilinan, who is also chairman of the board of trustees of the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation, together with the president and CEO of Maynilad Ricky Vargas, distributed relief goods to evacuation centers in Bacoor. Pangilinan led his officials and employees in distributing relief goods to flood victims in Metro Manila and Cavite after he called for more volunteers to join the CSR drive “Tulong Kapatid.”

A gem of an exhibit at Wine Story

Businesswoman and mother of three Marjorie “Aji” Tan showcased her sparkling jewelry designs at Wine Story in Serendra recently.  The occasion coincided with the birthday celebration of Aji’s hubby, Christian Tan.

Aji’s jewelry collection all started out as a hobby since she was a little girl. She would style her own jewelry pieces for herself and later on for her close friends.  She would combine her heirloom pieces and add new stones and gems that would give birth to her unique interpretation of jewelry.

During the event, guests appreciated Aji’s collection while sipping fine wines from Germany and France and enjoying Stephanie Zubiri’s pass-around hors d’oeuvres and pastries.  Among the fine wines uncorked during the special jewelry unveiling at Wine Story was Dr. Loosen Pralat Auslese, a light yellow wine from Germany characterized by a sweet and fruity aftertaste. The wine complemented the mini-truffle mushroom lasagna, smoked salmon cream with tobiko, beef adobo bites, and gambas and chorizo.  The Chateau Carignan Prima 2005, a deeply hued wine with a rich flavor of fruit, licorice, chocolate and a hint of menthol; and Bollinger Rosé NV, a delicious champagne from France, were also served. 

Former Binibining Pilipinas-Universe and personality development guru Abbygale Arenas-de Leon acted as host that evening and enticed everyone to enjoy viewing the jewelry.  Some guests left the affair along with their favorite “bling” and with the taste of first-rate wines lingering.

(Wine Story’s other branches are at the ground floor of Shangri-La Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong City (633-3556) and at the ground floor of One Rockwell West, Makati City (869-0932). Visit  www.winestory.com.ph.)

A Penfolds wine dinner at Impressions

A memorable night is always assured when great food and great wine are served.

Just like the night when Penfolds served up another wine and food pairing event at Impressions in Resorts World Manila recently.

Penfolds, one of Australia’s oldest wineries, was started in 1844 by Christopher Rawson Penfold with vine cuttings from the south of France. He nurtured these cuttings around the site of a modest stone cottage he built with his wife Mary on the outskirts of Adelaide.

At the event, Koonunga Hill Chardonnay 2011 was served with pass-around canapés of Duck Liver Terrine and Celeriac Mousse. Dinner followed starting with an amuse-bouche of Hibiscus Consommé with Ginger Sphere Shooter. The appetizer of Britanny Lobster Meuniere on a Bavarois of White Asparagus, crispy Prosciutto and Truffle Hollandaise followed, which was complemented by the Thomas Hyland Chardonnay, 2011. A soup of Porcini Cream with Foie Gras Flan and crispy chestnuts was served shortly after. The smoked seared Tuna Loin wrapped in lard, a “Bin 138” reduction with lime, green pea puree was paired with the outstanding Bin 138 GSM, 2011. 

A Fruit Sherbet with Crumble Olive followed to cleanse the palate for the main course, which was Black Angus Beef Tenderloin Rossini Style, crispy mashed potatoes cylinder and foam, mini carrots, sautéed mushrooms and Perrigeaux sauce.

The main course was paired with the formidable Penfolds Grange, 2005 —  Australia’s most renowned wine and officially listed as a Heritage Icon of South Australia. 

Assorted cheeses, dried fruits and nuts were served followed by a dessert of Pear Tart Tatin, Masala Tea Gelato and Walnut Brittle in dark chocolate sauce. Penfolds Tawny Port was served at this point to the delight of guests. 

Host Carla Dunareanu delighted guests with her song numbers. VIP Test Drive Passes were raffled off by event partner Jaguar.

Andrew O’Brien of Treasury Wine Estates said, “Penfolds wines, with robust and complex flavors, offered a perfect complement to the superlative richness of chef Cyrille Soenen’s French cuisine that made for a truly outstanding dining experience.”

Future Trade International’s Kat San Diego added, “Tonight, we are in for a rare treat, we will be sampling some of Penfolds’ stellar wine offerings from its extensive portfolio. And dare I say, these are some of Australia’s finest wines… all in one sitting.” 

Now Gallery art auction this Saturday

Art collector and Now Gallery owner Patrick Reyno will hold his first important auction of masters at the gallery on Aug. 31 at 2 p.m. The show is titled “Old, Modern and Contemporary Masters.”

The auction’s preview began yesterday and will end this Friday, Aug. 30. Included in the auction are the works of National Artists like H.R. Ocampo, Ang Kiukok, Arturo Luz and J. Elizalde Navarro. Works by in-demand young artists like Ronald Ventura (who has four works to be auctioned), Rodel Tapaya, Mark Justiniani, Andres Barrioquinto, Marina Cruz, Jojo Legaspi and Winner Jumalon will also be auctioned. 

One of the highlights of the event is Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo’s Coast of Normandy, formerly in the art collection of Don Luis Araneta and Don Alfonso Ongpin. 

National Artist Fernando Amorsolo, an auction favorite here and abroad, is also represented with The Stream (1928) and Ang Mangingisda (1960). 

The public is invited to check the preview and participate in the auction.

(Check out the lots at www.nowauctions.net. The gallery is at ground floor, Ecoplaza Bldg., 2305 Chino Roces Ext., Makati City. For inquiries, call 555-0683 to 84.)