As in the past, fashion-society guru Gilbert Perez celebrated his annual "thank you party" with friends and true supporters who love and care for him. It was a simple gathering, a luncheon party for everyone, palanggas, hosted by the indefatigable Letty Syquia, wife of Ambassador Enrique Syquia, at their newly renovated house in Cambridge Circle in North Forbes, dahlings. Her co-hosts were some of her gang from the perfume set, like Mellie Ablaza, Nene Leonor, Fortune Ledesma, Evie Costa and Helen Ong.
As the lunch bunch breezed in, dahlings, Gilbert met each one with his sincere smile. Hotshots of Cosmo Manille’s cafe society included Chito Madrigal Collantes, Daisy Payumo, Marilou Tantoco-Pineda, Jo-Ann Salgado, Suzanne Laudico, Fe Yu, Tereret Liboro, Monique Zani, Nini Layug, Karen Macasaet, Mely Hechanova, Menchu Concepcion, Tess Castro, Evelyn Duran, Myrna Borromeo, Vilma Valera, Olga Martel, Regina Dee, plus the celebrator’s close pals Pitoy Moreno, Danny Dolor, Rikki Jimenez, Bobby Novenario, PR gents Donnie Ramirez, Resty Vergara and our very own third eye Alex Van Hagen.
Guests couldn’t get enough of the yummy Filipino cuisine prepared by El Comedor, dahlings, including the famous torta of Viring de Asis and Arlene Arce’s one-of-a-kind Arce ice cream.
It was not yet over for birthday boy Gilbert; another celebration was hosted by dance empress Becky Garcia, a sit-down dinner at King of Chefs Billy King’s Le Souffle. It was a more intimate gathering of close pals, and while blowing out the candles on another fantastic year of his life, Gilbert could hardly utter a word and was almost in tears as his pals sang "Happy Birthday".
Cheers, palangga!