Après all the beso-beso and socializing with a glass of Moet-Chandon champagne in hand, we sat down for the excellent dinner, palanggas.

It has been 51 dazzling, bling-bling years, dahlings, for the well-respected Chamber of Pawnbrokers of the Philippines Inc., which had a grand bash at the chi-chi Polo Club.

And, as in the past, highlight of the event was the induction of new officers and directors.

The brilliant managing director of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Corazon J. Guerrero, inducted the untiring, dedicated and efficient gentleman for all seasons Luis I. Ablaza Jr. of the popular Ablaza Pawnshop, who is now on his ninth term as president of the chamber, palanggas.

In his short speech, Luis A. stressed ?the importance of active participation of the younger generation? and said ?the introduction of new and vibrant ideas in the pawnshop business is what will extend our businesses even further.?

The affair?s mega guest of honor and speaker, Ambassador Peter Beckingham of the United Kingdom, came with his wife, adorable Jill, dahlings.

Après the program superbly emceed by Johnny Litton, Nonoy Lopez and his band rocked the place to intensity 9, leaving the awesome invitees literally staggering out of the Polo Club way, way past Cinderella?s bedtime, palanggas.

Nigel?s 12 women

During the short visit of that tall, dashing international photographer and celebrity judge of the top-rating TV show ?America?s Next Top Model,? Nigel Barker captured the fab images of 12 of the country?s most beautiful women for the Philippine Tatler?s July issue, palanggas.

The chosen ones were Fely Atienza, Ina Ayala, Kit Zobel, Sofia Elizalde, Margarita Fores, Mandy Santos, Ruffa Gutierrez, Lucy Gomez, Vicky Zubiri, Carol Garcia, Kathy de Guzman and Maricris Zobel.

They were asked to sit for Barker for this edition of the country?s ?ultimate arbiter of high society, taste and glamour,? dahlings.

The two-cover edition of the Philippine Tatler is a collector?s item. Ina Ayala and Kit Zobel are gracing the cover of a magazine for the first time. The ?12 women photographed by Nigel Barker? will also be on exhibit at the lobby of Greenbelt 3 Ayala Center July 5-16. It will be at Alabang Town Center July 18-31.

The photographs will also be on the window display of Rustan?s Department Store starting July 4. This laudable effort was made possible through the all-out support of Ayala Malls Inc. and Rustan?s Essenses.

Tea party

One of the first tea parties I?ve attended in our town was the très elegant afternoon tea party that the Johann Strauss Society of the Philippines hosted at the sprawling residence of JSSP chair Letty Syquia to welcome honorary members from the chic diplomatic corps, and to introduce its officers, board members and advisory board, palanggas.

During the event, the forthcoming Dinner Dance Musicale for the benefit of the Cultural Center of the Philippines was announced.

As I sipped my jasmine tea, JSSP president Fortune Aleta Ledesma welcomed us and gave a brief history of the society, its vision and mission. ?As the support arm of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, it raises funds for its audience development, scholarship and Arts for the People programs,? she said.

CCP president Nes Jardin thanked the society for its support of CCP pet projects, and acknowledged the invaluable assistance of the committee composed of Letty S., Fortune L., Olga Severino Martel (vice president), Agnes Huibonhoa (secretary), Chit Gohu and Cristina Belton, whom he called his ?angels.?

Ambassador Herbert Jaeger of Austria, dean of the Board of Advisers, was pleased with the good work of the society and said, ?I assure you of the full support of the Austrian Embassy.?

The affair was emceed by RJ Ledesma. It included a musical presentation of Filipino and Spanish songs by wives of ambassadors like Juliana Carolina Tandjung, wife of the ambassador of Indonesia. Juan Cerda Benitez, administrative coordinator of the Mexican Embassy, sang a Mexican song.

Taipan George Yang performed operatic arias that brought loud, loud applause from the tea bunch, dahlings.

Macau magic

Tons of mall-goers had a glimpse of ?Macau Magic? at The Podium. The exhibit showcases the works of four top Filipino artists?BenCab, Soler, Claude Tayag and Phyllis Zaballero. It is a fantastic joint project of the Macau Government Tourism Office, The Podium and Finale Art, in cooperation with Joey 92.3, no less, dahlings.

The exhibit showcases Macau as ?one of the most dynamic tourist destinations in the world,? through the eyes of four renowned Filipino painters, including one National Artist.

Popular cyber-smart former President Fidel Ramos and MGTO deputy director Manuel Piress dotted the eye of the dragon during the opening ceremonies. It was followed by the ribbon-snipping, palanggas.

Joining them were MGTO-Philippines general manager Narz Lim, Keppel Properties Philippines president Sin Wai Meng, who represented The Podium, and the four artists.

The crowd of art lovers included Viel Dee and Ballsy Cruz, representing their mother, former President Cory Aquino; and women of substance and art collectors Josine Elizalde, with Josie Lichauco, Ching Escaler, and Amalie Azanza; plus others like them, dahlings.

Previous columns:
Iloilo bridal wear comes of age ? 06/28/07
Celebrating passion for the ultra life ? 06/25/07
Surprise bash for designer?s 50th birthday ? 06/22/07
A fabulous and exclusive Boracay getaway - 06/19/07
These shoes are made for walking in style - 06/15/07
A jewelry line for the jet-setter - 06/12/07