MANILA, Philippines?It?s the brand that made ?safari fashion? uber chic and classic. Yes, dahlings, Banana Republic has captivated Manille?s finest with the grand launch of its first store in the country, which contains the brand?s cool RTW lines for men and women, as well as trendy shoes, colorful handbags and accent jewelry.

In the Philippines, the brand is exclusively distributed by Casual Clothing Specialists, Inc.

The inaugural was superbly hosted by Anton Huang, executive vice president of Stores Specialists, Inc., and by other hotshot Banana Republic executives.

Invitees witnessed a fast-paced fashion show featuring Banana Republic?s Spring-Summer ?08 collection, palanggas. Models sashayed on the ramp with giraffe-print dresses and tops; khaki bottoms; and crisp, cool linen clothes in fuchsia, orange, green and yellow.

Meanwhile, the menswear was awesome, definitely making the men?s line of Banana Republic a must-have for every guy, dahlings.

Aprés the show, moi looked around and saw the invitees shopping mercilessly that sent the cash register ringing endlessly.

Okay, who were there? Super popular United States Ambassador Kristie Kenney; Jaime Augusto Zobel and wife, multifaceted Lizzie Eder; Manila Peninsula?s popular GM David Batchelor and wife, Malu Toda; SSI?s first lady Nina Huang and daughters Nikki and Isabelle; Max and Zelda Kienle, Mylene Dizon, Carmi Martin, Malu Francisco and Veronica Scott.

Style-setters Tweetie de Leon-Gonzales, Ciara Marasigan-Serumgard, Divine Lee, Joanna Lhuillier, Paul Soriano and Rovilson Fernandez wore their fave Banana Republic outfits.

Anton Huang looked pleased at the turnout. He looked a winner, dahlings.

There was an endless serving of scrumptious hors d?oeuvres while drinks flowed and flowed, courtesy of Ralph?s Wines and Spirits, natch!

Banana Republic is at Greenbelt 5. It is soon to open at Rustan?s Makati.

Celia Basa?s 85th

Before the day Cecilia Henson Basa turned 85 years young, dahlings, she had expressed a desire for a no-fuss celebration. She had said she would like to have a simple family get-together.

But her six adorable daughters denied her wish. They wanted nothing less than a trés special event for her, naturellement.

?Cely,? as she is fondly called, is the widow of Mario Guidote Basa, ?the Father of Philippine Bonsai.? Their union has been blessed with six eye-catching daughters?Betsy Tenchabez, Flory Montalvan, Sari Lugay, Ceci Cruz, Corinna Ocampo and Lissa Lamug?and three sons?Joe, Mario Jr. and Louie.

Altogether, the Basa brood has produced 27 awesome grandchildren and, take note, palanggas, six great grandchildren.

As expected, it was really a great reunion when the children came home to spring a surprise for their Mom.

Well, Cely was not only Queen for a Day, but Queen for a Whole Month, palanggas, as the famille bonded together everywhere from Tagaytay, Cavite to Subic, Serendra and the popular steak house, Tender Bobs, natch.

Watching Cely, one sees how she exudes an aura of joy and peace and continues to glow because she shares her love and God?s blessings with all those around her.

Hey, no wonder her beauty is ageless, dahlings, n?cest pas?

Wedding fair

It?s the time of the year, palanggas, when June brides get excited, looking forward to their perfect wedding.

So it?s no wonder that future brides and grooms dashed over to the Queen City of the South as the renowned Marco Polo Plaza Cebu held its very own bridal fair, palanggas.

The super-exciting event offered the crowd a mélange of wedding themes to choose from.

The event featured gorgeous and dazzling wedding gowns by brilliant designers from Cebu as well as a lineup of top wedding photographers.

Marco Polo is definitely one of the premier destinations of choice in Cebu. It continues its duty of providing only the best as it hosted this year?s Bridal Fair.

Now on its second year, Weddings at Marco Polo Plaza, presented together with the Cebu Fashion Council, in cooperation with Metrobank Femme Card and Wedding Essentials Magazine, had everything for altar-bound couples could ever want for their weddings.

The fair closed with an exquisite and awesome fashion show of wedding ensembles by Cebu?s most in-demand couturiers such as Philip Rodriguez, Felix Yu, Arcy Gayatin, Ditas Rodriguez, OJ Hofer, Jun Escario, Albert Arriba, Minnie Yuviengco and Cary Santiago.

The two-day happening was a success with the help of Just Jewels, Travel Club, Ayala Center Cebu, Crystalize Swarovski, Graphic Star, and Papa?s Roast and Seafood.

Yeah, it was a truly magical bridal fair, palanggas, that only Marco Polo Cebu, with its brilliant and cool GM Hans Hauri, could offer.

Wedding announcements

Businessman Romolo Lombardi and Natividad ?Naty? Ortaliz of Bacolod City announce the forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Catherine, to Giuseppe Santoro on July 4, to be held in Chiesa di Santa Maria della Consolazione al Foro Romano in Rome, Italy.

Among the guests expected to attend the wedding from Manille are Ambassador and Ms Philip Lhuillier; banker Nene Lacson of Monte Carlo; Jewelmer?s Carmen Lizares Du and husband Benjamin Du; Tony and Cecile Oppen with their daughter Rina; Cindy Oppen ; and businessman Teddy Villanueva and Bibing Villanueva.

Santoro is a businessman who owns pharmacies and apartments in Rome.

Ortaliz is a portfolio manager for the Credit Suisse Bank in Rome.

The bride?s wedding gown will be done by Rocco Barraco of Rome.

The grand reception will be at the Castle Villa Aurelia, where Tom Cruise recently had spent his 40th birthday.

Also soon to be altar-bound are well-liked realtor Jigger Antonio, son of Ambassador Jose ?Joey? Antonio and vibrant socialite Hilda Reyes; and fashion plate May Muñoz, daughter of businessman Sam Munoz and Violet Novenario.

The wedding is set on Nov. 8 in Boracay. Dinner reception is at the Discovery Shores.

The wedding gown and ensemble will be designed by Jun Escario, dahlings.