MANILA, Philippines?It was a dream come true for wine lovers as Southeast Asia?s biggest and most sophisticated wine celebration, the 7th Grand Wine Experience, opened at the grand ballroom of the popular Renaissance Hotel Makati, dahlings.

While guests swamped the reception area, popular emcee Johnny Litton took to the stage and welcomed the event?s super organizers, the well-respected Joseph brothers, Bobby, Ralph, Ronnie and Raymond, of the Philippine Wine Merchants and the Ralph?s Wines and Spirits, natch.

As we entered the venue, we were awed by the 500 different fine wines from 20 countries, the finest in international cuisine excellently done by chef Colin Hely and his fantastic team, and the eye-catching models. Meanwhile, students from the prestigious Enderun school served drinks. Aprés, loud applause was given to Renaissance Hotel?s dynamic general manager, Stephan Stoss, for the evening?s fabulous opening ceremonies, palanggas.

As the wine-tasting event got the invitees to higher spirits (and a major hangover the next day), prizes were raffled off to many lucky guests presented by gorgeous celebrities, while Enderun?s wine princess, Inez Cabarus, went around interviewing wine connoisseurs, dahlings. And would you believe that guests were also treated to foot spa by the masseuses of Ton Ton Massage, during the seven-hour cocktail happening?

This grand event was sponsored by Shopwise, Rustan?s, Starbucks, Store Specialists, Titania Wine Celar Inc., Best World Beverages Inc., Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines, and the Philippine Tourism Authority, palanggas.

Robinsons Land?s luxurious launch

The popular Club Embassy treated the rich and famous from Cosmo Manille?s social circuit, dahlings, to a grand party when Robinsons Land, the hot-hot developer, unveiled its chic Trion Towers in Bonifacio Global City. The event was led by that brilliant young business whiz, popular Frederick Go, who is Robinsons Land president and chief operating officer, together with talented architect Albert Yu of Asya Design Partners, no less, as well as Robinsons Land VP for business development Mybelle Gobio and marketing director Ferdinand Adriano.

In a short welcome speech, man of the hour Frederick Go said, ?The Trion Towers will be a cluster of three 49-story buildings rising high in a triangular formation within a one-hectare property in the heart of Bonifacio Global City, ingenious tri-axial design inspired by green architecture, thereby allowing all unit owners to enjoy privacy, good quality daylight, natural ventilation and multiple views of the city.? Moi, without batting an eyelash, can rightfully say that the new development will definitely be the new icon of the city skyline.

Check out www.robinsonsproperties.com.ph or contact them at properties@robinsonsland.com, tel. 6360888 or 0922-8380888.

32nd Milo Marathon

It?s the time of the year again when health gets the spotlight.

And yes, it?s the time of the year for the National Milo Marathon, which will be staged in 25 cities nationwide, palanggas, with four races to be staged simultaneously in Manille, Tarlac, Cebu and Davao?a first in the history of the National Milo Marathon, dahlings.

Trés visible at the launching of the event at Bayview Park Hotel in downtown Manille were Nestlé AVP and Milo consumer marketing manager Michelle Calo-Alvarillo, Nestlé AVP and Milo sports events executive Pat Goc-Ong, and National Milo Marathon race organizer Rudy Biscocho.

?Manila, Tarlac, Cebu and Davao are four of the cities that consistently attract a huge number of participants so we thought of staging our elimination races simultaneously to further highlight the health impact of the National Milo Marathon to as many people as possible,? says Goc-Ong.

Naturellement, aside from the four cities, marathon action will also happen in most cities all over the Philippines, palanggas.

This happening will also have tons of other events from the 3K kiddie run, plus, plus the inter-school running team competition and the cheer-dance competition, which will be participated in by college students, adding excitement to an already thrilling side event.

Imagine, when the first National Milo Marathon was held on May 26, 1974, there were 767 runners who joined. Today, an awesome 60,000 are expected to take part in it, palanggas.

Yeah, leave it to the National Milo Marathon to help us keep a healthy, active lifestyle.

Remember, dahlings, health is wealth.

Welcome, Harry Connick Jr.

Our town is all abuzz over the arrival of handsome hunk Harry Connick Jr., the three-time Grammy winner and jazz sensation. If you?re a lover of the big-band sound, you can?t afford to miss this one-night-only concert, dahlings. Globe and MTV Philippines, no less, are proud to present Harry Connick Jr. and his Big Band Live in Manila on, take note, March 15 at the PICC Plenary Hall. Don?t walk, palanggas, hurry and grab your tickets.

For tickets, call Ticketworld at 8919999. Globe subscribers can get exclusive ticket discounts for as much as 25 percent. More info, text HCJ to 2222 for free, or log on to www.mtvphil.com. Special thanks to Music Management International, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, and official media partners Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, Magic 89.9, Jam 88.3, Hit 99.5 and Max 103, palanggas.