Fast Forward

Women in Travel (WIT) is an association of top female decision makers in the travel and tourism industries with chapters in Bacolod, Cebu, Caraga, Davao, Iloilo, Kalibo and Zamboanga. It is affiliated with the International Federation of Women’s Travel Organization (IFWTO) dahlings, a global organization of over 3,500 professional women from 35 countries.

The 22-year-old WIT Manila recently hosted the 6th National Convention at the Mandarin Oriental seeking to send tourism "Fast Forward to Meet the Challenges of the Times". While registration was going on, a whole-day bazaar was being held, and at welcome cocktails that evening each club performed an entertainment number.

Olongapo Mayor Kate Gordon was guest speaker at the convention proper, which also featured IFWTO Area I Pacific Gov. Marilyn Gamboa, Tourism Usec. Oscar Palabyab, Celeste Legaspi of Riverwatch and Mariel Francisco who spoke on wellness and stress reduction. The gala dinner dance at Hotel Inter-Con’s Bahia culminated the event, followed by a fun fam tour to Villa Escudero the next day.

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Manila’s prince of avant garde fashion Jun-Jun Cambe celebrated his birthday at a bash thrown by close pals Jocelyn Poon and Ruby Co (owners of Savannah Moon) together WITh Linda Tiu and Vilma Valera. Jun-Jun was doubly excited because it coincided WITh the launching of his website www.junjuncambe.com.

Spotted during the celebration, palanggas, were power ladies Brenda Reyes, Babot Ortega, Diana Go and Techie Ejercito,newcomer designer Boyet Dysangco, interior designers Jun Peña and Cocoy Cordoba. Three generations of fashion models were there, like Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Sarah Jane Paez, Bb. Pilipinas-Maja Celina Manalad, Bb. Pilipinas-World Katherine de Guzman, top models Lucia Santiago, Maricris Perez, Wilma Doesnt, Eazel Don, Grace Molina, male models Bong Regala, Alvin Degamo, Junel Liwanag, Jigs Fernandez, Miguel Peña, Chez Francisco and Senen Dizon, Jun-Jun’s signature model for 2002.

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Remember, palanggas, "One thing is for sure: you’ll never get a busy signal on the prayer line in heaven." Smile. See you.