MANILA, Philippines?I had a blast at ?Swatch @ 25: Cool as Ice Party,? a celebration of 25 years of watch market leadership, at The Gallery, Greenbelt 5. It coincided with the launch of Swatch Greenbelt 5 which boasts of the new Atlantis fixture design.

The mist and bubbles in the blue Swiss winter setting gave a whimsical feel to the event as guests arrived in winter finery. There was a two-ton ice piano which Rico Blanco played on. Champagne was chilled in blocks of ice. The yummy-looking centerpiece was a three-tiered cupcake tower.

Super special guest was Reto Stoeckli, COO/CFO of Swatch AG, who congratulated the people behind the success of the trendsetting watch brand in the Philippines, led by everybody?s beloved Tita Virgie Ramos.

Direk Rowell Santiago?s 25-year video collage of celebrities who are Swatch lovers was the night?s highlight. Scene stealers were two giant Alaskan Malamutes, Nike and Kona, who gamely posed for the paparazzi.

Among the celebs spotted at the fete were Mikee Cojuangco, Rachel Alejandro, Troy Montero, Aubrey Miles, Christian Bautista, Billy Crawford, Karylle, Martin Nievera, Pia Guanio, Edu Manzano, Randy and Rowell Santiago, Derek Ramsey, Maurice Arcache, Anton San Diego, Inno Sotto, Tessa Prieto Valdes, Annette Coronel and Tina Revilla. We had fun choosing which Swatch to stash.

You better Swatch out. You better not cry. And go get yourself a hip watch just like I did. What better Christmas present could there be than the gift of time?

PERSONAL: My endless thanks to Tita Virgie for outdoing Santa! Muchas gracias to my newfound friend James Locsin for a swell time at the launch and to the cool Swatch Megamall staff Jhie, May, Glenn and Dondon.

E-mail wateringholeshangrila@yahoo.com