MANILA, Philippines - It’s not difficult to fall in love with New York. You just have to watch a Woody Allen film, “Sex and the City” or “Gossip Girl” to see how the city is as much an actor as the others in a film or TV show. It has character, attitude, sex appeal and grit. So when my uncle, who was turning 80 years old, was celebrating his birthday in a big way, it was a great excuse to go to New York.

So what do you do for 11 days without an agenda? A lot! New York is one of the cities that you would want to get lost in. As they say, it’s the city that never sleeps—you can do everything, from browsing the museums to watching Broadway shows, shopping and catching up with friends.

In New York I discovered a true luxury, one that is priceless. No, it’s not going to Bergdorf’s or Barney’s but sitting on a park bench and watching the world pass you by. And with the temperature comparable to Manila’s weather minus the humidity, the setting was perfect.

I guess I was not totally without an agenda. I was doing some research for a project that would be unveiled hopefully soon. Prior to going to the Big Apple, I e-mailed my friends who were living there and, as a result, was choc-a-block with activities from noon to night. I met with brilliant lawyer Tunting Cruz-Matters, who gave me great advice about some family matters (no pun intended). I actually saw her twice: the first occasion for lunch and the other, with Sen. Loren Legarda, who was there to send off her son Lanz as he started film school at NYU.

Loida Nicolas-Lewis

While there, too, Senator Legarda had lunch with noted philanthropist Loida Nicolas-Lewis (who was cited by the Carnegie Foundation as one of the top immigrants to New York) and a leader of the Philippine-American community. They discussed the Philippine economic situation and of course, politics and who would be the next best “Presidentiable.” From that meeting I think Lewis got her answer.

I also had lunch with Lewis on another occasion; she invited me to the Harvard Club. She just arrived from Chicago to deliver a speech for the Philippine community there. What fascinates me about this woman is, despite her stature in society, she remains down-to-earth, kind and elegant. A true gem.

Another fascinating and true lady is Lily O’Boyle. She gave a dinner for me at Benoit, one of the restaurants of famed chef Alain Ducasse. She invited her friends, including Matters, international bag designer Rafe Totengco, as well as her good friend Mario Buatta, one of America’s most popular decorators and the celebrated “King of Chintz.”

My trip, as I mentioned before, was because of the 80th birthday of my uncle, Dr. Oscar Oca. Tito Oscar has lived in the US most of his life but comes to Manila often to visit relatives and friends.

(Another milestone in my family is the 50th wedding anniversary of Captain Greg and Ditas Oca, who I would like to make special mention in this column.)

I went to the US with my favorite aunt, Cecille Lacson, to also attend Tito Oscar’s birthday. For his birthday party, he booked the very romantic and popular Rainbow Room in the Rockefeller Center and had around 100 guests who flew from all parts of the US. His beautiful wife, Barbes, and daughters Lisa and Lani had prepared a wonderful and memorable evening.

Roger and Rafe

The occasion was actually a two-day affair so we checked in at the very posh Carlyle Hotel to make time with my family. While there I bumped into tennis superstar Roger Federer. He was an unassuming and shy man, just like his on-court persona. My cousin, Yvette Oca, was fortunate enough to get a photo not only with him but with my all-time tennis hero Bjorn Borg. Lucky girl!

Another person that I was able to hang out with a lot is Rafe Totengco. He is always fun to be with and has not lost an ounce of being Filipino or, in his case, Ilonggo. His Fall-Winter 2008 collection has just been released in stores and it really is fantastic. Indeed, one needs to have a Rafe!

A funny thing happened while we were going to a popular bar; I was carded. Of course you know what being carded means: that the doorman or bouncer asks for your ID. This is something legislators or lawmakers here should think of doing, that bars should not allow minors inside establishments that serve alcohol.

Anyway, I told the doorman, but I am (bleep) years old. Don’t I look over 18? He said, “No!” That made my head swoon! I know this sounds quite presumptuous and arrogant but I just had to share it; such a great feeling and who knows, might not happen anymore. To be mistaken to be younger than your age and without Botox (nothing wrong with that, maybe soon) at all, or a facelift (sooner, kidding). So I did not get inside the bar but I smiled all the way home!

Carson and Nigel

On another occasion, I bumped into Carson Kressley (of “Queer Eye” and now, “How to Look Good Naked” TV show). I went up to him to say that I was from Manila and before I could say anything else he said, “Mabuhey! How is Manila?”

I was able to catch up with one of my friends and favorite photographers, Nigel Barker. We had dinner at the very hip Buddakan bar and restaurant. He came with his lovely wife Chrissy, who is expecting their second child in December. They have a 2-year-old son, Jack, so of course he told me excitedly, “It’s a girl!” For dinner we were joined by designer Pamela Roland and Barker’s right-hand man, Marcus Brooks, and his wife, Ali.

We had another lunch at the popular French bistro Pastis and got to talking about the new season of “America’s Next Top Model” Cycle 10. In the new series, there is a transgender contestant named Isis Tsunami (your guess is as good as mine). Barker said they needed to push the envelope this season. He laughed when he recalled a scene where he was taking photos of “her” on the beach. “I think Isis got a little bit excited in that one and had to wrap a towel around herself!” Barker said. I have more adventures to speak about, which I will save for another time. But New York City is, and always will be, a special place for me. Can’t wait to go back!