MANILA, Philippines - (Thumbs up)Has the presidential (election) march started?

It looks as if it has—at least in the high-power-wattage Huang-Yap wedding last Saturday , where politics matriarch Judy Araneta Roxas strode down the aisle on the arm of Senate President Manny Villar. Both were principal sponsors at the wedding.

Mrs. Araneta-Roxas is the mother of Sen. Mar Roxas, who, this early, is said to be gearing for the presidency, with more than a nudge from his mother. And Senate President Villar—well, his plan is as clear as daylight.

There was another kingmaker in the power party—Sen. Ed Angara, another principal sponsor. Indeed, as a hawk-eyed bejeweled guest noted, “There are so many kingmakers around here,” and, casting a glance at her side, added, “and troublemakers, too.” Just then, former Gov. Chavit Singson and his lovely partner walked by—coincidentally.

Not rockin’, just tappin’

Meanwhile, another “presidentiable,” Vice President Noli de Castro, was seated comfortably on the front row at Araneta Coliseum, tapping his foot away to the beat of jazz legends Al Jarreau and George Benson. The Manila leg of the Asian tour of the music icons drew a huge and good-mix crowd to the Coliseum, most of them rising to their feet to dance and rock as the evening wore on. Among those rocking away on the front row were Richard and Roni Merck, Fernando and Kit Zobel, Tessa Prieto-Valdes. De Castro stayed glued to his seat.

(Thumbs up)Pinay in Elle

Interior designer Rose Anne de Pampelonne is featured in Elle October for her new jewelry and fashion line. Elle gave a beautiful spread to her Fall ‘08 collection—“a vacation line with embellished basics,” or what she herself described “like a more decorative version of the Gap.” Except that they’re more pricey.

De Pampelonne, the daughter of a classy woman, the late Helen Cuunjieng, was introduced as a “French interior designer.” She’s been living in Paris for years now. Her roots were noted, however, when she was described as a “Manila-born Parisian who’s also a baroness.”

The image that inspired her? “Lounging in bamboo chaise at the base of the Himalayas in silk caftan.” Thus she had exotic smock dresses and embroidered jewelry—all handmade in Nepal.

(Thumbs up)A gentleman

“It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”

That quote is from Roger Federer, the US Open champion and believed by many to be the greatest tennis player ever. Watching how this modern-day gladiator makes mincemeat of his opponent on the court, you wouldn’t think he’s Mr. Nice Guy. Apparently, he is, and more than that, a true sportsman.

And still more than that, he had fashion titan Anna Wintour (Vogue) cheering for him.

Fashion-wise, the US Open didn’t have much. There was no Maria Sharapova to strut her little-black-dress tennis outfit. Oh, but Serena Williams was all fiery red—and big biceps.

(Thumbs down)Almost, just almost

Overheard at the Huang-Yap wedding was a magazine editor narrating how she almost became a victim of a “scammer” in the mall. She was absent-mindedly walking around when a man stopped her to ask if she remembered him, that they were old friends and he’s now a preacher—and badly needed help for an ailing relative.

Thank god for shopaholism. Our editor was more focused on the store window and didn’t even stare at the man. She merely brushed his hand off and moved on.

Later, she was surprised to read in the e-mail that what she ran into was a typical scam in the mall.

Window shopping saved the day.

(Thumbs up) ‘Dingdong’ rang a bell

At the Rajo Laurel show, GMA 7’s power woman Wilma Galvante had an interesting answer to why and how Dingdong Dantes became one of E! Entertainment’s sexiest men in the world. The E! staff had been doing its research for some time, googling the hottest male stars in Asia—when the name “Dingdong” (it means something else, of course, to Americans) caught their attention. They wanted to see who was this man named “Dingdong.”

They surfed his TV commercials and print ads, which they found so macho. That was how he beat another top sexy actor.

(Thumbs down)It didn’t work

To what great lengths would a woman go to keep her man?

Realizing that her affair with a much older man had lost its fire, she tried to seek counsel—from a gay friend. And it wasn’t your typical relationship counseling; it was more like, uh, calisthenics. Gay “counselor” tried to teach her the right or better moves in bed.

Last we heard, it still didn’t work. Time to go back to traditional counseling.