Evening with the Buddha

When it comes to antiques and Oriental furniture, dahlings, I only have one shop in mind, the renowned Old Asia. A visit to Old Asia’s showrooms at Shangri-La Plaza and Power Plant Mall is a veritable lesson in furniture history, with the fashionable Pachot Mapa and her children discussing details that go with each piece.

No wonder Manille’s discriminating set came in full force to the launching of their most exquisite collection so far–24 one-of-a-kind 18th and 19th century Buddha images from Burma and Thailand in alabaster, wood and bronze. Absolutely magnifique!

The exhibit, set up by Pachot’s creative son Jojo M, attracted antique buffs and art lovers like Robert Borja, Lydia Durano, Tony Aquino, Cita Roman and Didi Payumo, who enjoyed the guided tour by daughter-in-law Monette, who explained each piece’s history and features. Apres, I joined Pachot and her hubby Toto and fashionable society figures like Fe Rodriguez, Thelma Guericke, Aying de Leon, Glenn Cuevo, Benjo Bautista, Vicky Assad, Ram and Emi Jorge.

The affair ended on a high note, palanggas, with southern gentry Ramon San Agustin, no less, singing a couple of standards that brought shouts of "More! More!" from everyone.

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Sponsored by Banco Filipino, dahlings, the 5th Tomas Aguirre Polo Cup was held at the East Field of the horsing set’s favorite stable, the Manila Polo Club. The Blacks, composed of the country’s only woman polo player Rosanna Yulo, Sonny Borromeo, Tonio Veloso and Jose Constantino won in the low goal match.

The high goal match saw BF’s hot Blacks led by gentleman of the hour Bobby Aguirre, Iñigo Zobel, visiting Amsterdam player Lance Shepherd and Cooch Lynch, proud victors over Polo Club’s Whites Vince Bitong, Anthony Garcia, Mark Field and Ricky Yabut. It was an afternoon of a fast game on the field and hot shots watching from the benches, dahlings.

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Remember, palanggas, "Our God is bigger than any problem, and will always be there to solve them through faith." Smile. See you.