Without Batting An Eyelash Bash marks 80th birthday, 60th wedding anniversary By Maurice Arcache Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 00:26:00 07/04/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Cosmo-Manille’s old-wealth society were present when popular couple Rudy Cuenca and Yasmin Santos celebrated their 80th birthday and their 60th wedding anniversary no less, dahlings.
The fun night became a trip down memory lane for Rudy and his Ateneo classmates like Cesar Concio, and fellow contractors such as Jonby Carlos and FF Cruz, and close pals from abroad such as Sueo Adachi, former president of Marubeni America.
Rudy’s Magsaysay relatives, such as Anita Magsaysay-Ho and Sen. Jun Magsaysay, were among the guests.
Also there were Richard Young, president of Taiwan Trading, and Rudy’s golf buddies from Manila Golf and Cebu, and some 300 other guests from the alta sociedad, palanggas.
Moi was told that Rudy and Yasmin had actually eloped when both were barely 19, would you believe? They subsequently married.
They have four children—Bobby, Mary Ann, Ricky and “Paul” Rodolfo Jr.—and 13 grandchildren, nine of whom live abroad.
For this special occasion, Ricky flew in from San Francisco with his wife and four children.
As a gift to their grandparents, Manuel Agustin, Selena and Lorenzo Cuenca sang as a trio. Another grandchild, Patricia Cuenca, sang a solo, while Lita Banzon gave a special dance performance.
The musical entertainment was provided by Sadra Lim-Viray, the Overtones (a Baguio band discovered by Rudy) and hottie violinist Jay Cayuca.
Aprés the performances, the chi-chi invitees couldn’t wait to rush to the dance floor and rock hard, elbow to elbow, dahlings.
Would you believe, moi did a French at 2 a.m. and the bash was still on a roll. Hey, that’s what I call partying, dahlings.
Thai foodfest
Mandarin Oriental Manila’s very popular Paseo Uno recently hosted an excellent Thai food festival that brought to town four master chefs from The Oriental Bangkok.
The festival was held in partnership with Thai Airways, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and The Oriental Bangkok, with the support of Royal Thai Embassy. It was opened by Thai Ambassador Kulkumut Singhara Na Ayudhaya who briefly talked about the “lively flavors of Thai cuisine and culture.”
Thai Airways’ dynamic country manager Navit Chantarachoti and TAT marketing representative in the Philippines Dave de Jesus, chief drum-beater for the Amazing Thailand local campaign, helped in the ribbon-snipping. Also assisting in the opening was Mandarin Oriental’s executive assistant manager Oliver Kreuzer.
The Oriental’s executive sous chef Sumet Sumpachanyanont and his team were jetted in by Thai Airways, naturellement. They cooked superb Thai dishes that were incorporated into Paseo Uno’s lunch and dinner buffets. Aside from Thailand’s gustatory delights, guests were treated to awesome giveaways such as a stay at the Oriental Bangkok Hotel courtesy of TAT.
Not missing this happening were chef Ed Quimson, Margaux Salcedo, Lori Baltazar, Nancy Reyes Lumen, Bobby Cuenca and Mary Ann Ojeda—all foodies.
From the Thai Embassy, present were deputy chief of mission Chakorn Suchiva, counselor Krai Mahasandana, second secretary for economics and protocol Pakrapai Tontheeravong, second secretary for information Panalee Choosri and Passana Poo-rong.
Also there were banker Andrew Gan, Glen Carandang and moi. (I hosted right there and then a welcome dinner for visiting chef Lorrie Reynoso, who’s usually my host when I’m in New York.)
Also enjoying the food were Pepper Teehankee, Tatler editor Anton San Diego, ace photographer Alex van Hagen, charity organizer Vicky Zubiri, restaurateur Al Tengco, gourmand Carla Reyes, beautiful twosome Johnny Velasquez and Maripi Muscat, Anton Mendoza, Joji Dingcong, Noel Oñate and Cecille Reynoso Atienza.
No wonder, with the smashing success of the gastronomic event, the Mandarin’s public relations doyen Charisse G. Chuidian was in cloud nine, palanggas.
New Renaissance restaurant
On July 8, Tuesday, the Renaissance Makati City Hotel will hold a strictly by-invitation-only grand bash to formally open M2M (as in, morning to midnight!) and Cinnabar, dahlings.
Expected to attend the opening are leaders of business and diplomacy as well as our town’s alta-sociedad.
Robby Carmona will direct the opening event, which will have a “fun young Hollywood theme,” organizers said.
Moi was told that M2M is the hotel’s “all-day and all-night dining restaurant.” Aside from its lively main dining area, M2M will have private areas for trés exclusive parties.
There is a fantastic Wine Room that has an awesome “wine wall” in brick and retro furnishing, making one feel as if in a wine cellar, palanggas.
There’s also the Private Room, which can sit as many as 24 people in one dining table; and the Bar Lounge, with its rich and super cool interiors. Meanwhile, Cinnabar is a hip bar lounge with a boutique bar, outdoor patio and chic main area. It’s a perfect place to chill out during the day and listen to live bands in the night.
Both M2M and Cinnabar are open all hours of the day, every day. Well, you’ll know where to find me come July 8, palanggas. Catch you there!
Copyright 2008 Philippine Daily Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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