MANILA, Philippines - The Marco Polo Plaza Hotel held its first Cebu Grand Debutantes Ball for the benefit of the charities of the Fashion Council of Cebu (FCC). Some members of the FCC made the gowns worn by seven lovely girls from Cebu?s prominent families.

The debutantes were Monica Villarica, daughter of Rene and Marget Villarica; Ma. Isabella Selma, daughter of Moises and Evelyn Selma; Jennifer Elaine and Jasmin Ellen Sarmiento, twin daughters of Edgar and Jennifer Sarmiento; Erika Ong, daughter of Esther Ong; Donna Lim, daughter of Ronald and Sandra Therese Lim; and Vanetee Alvarez, daughter of Marlon and Jean Alvarez.

Albert Arriba did Monica?s gown; Philip Rodriguez, Erika?s; Minnie Yuviengco, Donna?s; Arcy Gayatin, Vanetee?s; and Jun Escario for the rest?Ma. Isabella and the Sarmiento twins.

Guests were led up a grand staircase decorated with flowers to the ballroom, which was also adorned with pink blooms and satin tablecloths.

An exquisite plated menu was served as a string quartet from the Peace Philharmonic played classical and popular airs. Cebuana talent Yentl Beltran sang several ballads.

Queen Mother

Seated in a place of honor was the hotel?s general manager, Hans Hauri, with his wife Bo who reigned as the ball?s Queen Mother. She was led to a throne on stage where she received the curtsies of the debutantes.

Vince Escario was the evening?s toastmaster. He announced the entrance of the debutantes with their parents. The girls were presented bouquets of flowers that they set aside for the waltz with their dads or brothers.

They were serenaded by heartthrob Gian Magdangal who asked each of the girls for a twirl on the dance floor as he sang. He had more songs for them, and he was very much applauded.

We were sure that if he had been told, he would have gone straight to the hotel?s sales/marketing director, Lynn Romero, who was celebrating her birthday that day.

Gian said he had fond memories of Cebu since it was here that he was chosen as a finalist in the ?Philippine Idol? tilt.

Lucky man

He added that it was his first time to sing at a debutantes ball, and he considered himself lucky. ?Not just one, but seven of the prettiest girls ever,? he said with a radiant smile.

The escorts now made their appearance?Kevin Ross Lee, Kevin Tecson, Jun Dakay, Bruce Teves, Kane Gandionco, Neil Ong and Don Paolo Tirol.

Then it was time for the Cotillion, superbly choreographed by Junjet Primor. It incorporated a series of charming Viennese waltzes. Words cannot describe the swish of pink and white tulle, and the sparkle of family jewels.

As the Cotillion ended many stood up to circulate about, buss the debutantes, congratulate their parents, and exchange impressions about a truly lovely evening.

For those who wanted to linger, the Interact Band dished out music for the rest of the evening, but many went hurrying downstairs for the 10 p.m. show of Gian Magdangal at the lobby lounge. It was SRO (standing-room only)!

Gian is a nice kid, completely self-effacing, and most candid, as some of us found out earlier in the day over lunch with media friends.

With him were his public relations director Arnie Tan of Luxe Mode Events and his guitar accompanist Jollibee Borbajo, who was teased if he would like to adopt McDonald as his surname.

Marco Polo GM Hans says the debutantes? ball will be an annual event. PR manager Carlo Borromeo and his assistant Rheena Garcia nod approvingly and promise to launch it by June, the better to gather more participants and a larger crowd.