MANILA, Philippines - MY SATURDAYS HAVE A SENSE of déjà vu, as I am back in GMA Studio for ?Celebrity Duets.? I empathize with all the contestants as they pour their hearts into their performances in an effort to win P1 million. At the same time, I hope they will donate it to charity, as I did last year.

It?s much easier for me this time around, channeling my inner Paula Abdul plus fluff and frills, as one of the judges. Beside me are two very credible music personalities?Danny Tan and Freddie Santos. I leave the comments on the singing to them and focus on the costumes and performances.

The texters? votes don?t always tally with ours. One of my favorites, Melanie Marquez, has already been booted out, and I was sad to see wellness guru Cory Quirino exit. The remaining Dueters are getting the hang of the contest so they are all improving every week.

Dueter JC Buendia has been dressing me up lately with creations from his Fashion Week Show.

Bali winner

Another gracious designer is Oliver Tolentino who proudly represented the country at Bali Fashion Week.

Invitees of the Indonesian government, Oliver and young designer Mich Dulce joined the Asian competition for a weeklong show in Bali.

Oliver?s grand prize-winning entry is a fully detailed, green gown with capiz-encrusted wings, torch and headgear. Keeping to the theme of nature, the creation was in a carnival parade before it hit the runway with the rest of his beautiful collection.

Just before heading to Bali, Oliver asked if I could wear the outfit for an upcoming book he is planning. Awesome photographer Ronnie Salvacion handled my pictorial and that of Las Vegas diva Lani Misalucha, who wore a stunning yellow gown.

Gowns have been on the minds of many lately, what with the much-awaited Tatler Ball just around the corner. Last year, my Rajo Laurel silk leaf-adorned gown blended into the garden background of the Shang Ballroom. Every year just challenges the ladies of Manila to come up with showstoppers.

Several of these stylish ladies, such as Bea Valdes, Tina Ocampo and Margarita Fores, are featured in the recently released seventh anniversary issue of the Philippine Tatler, its thickest ever. Tatler has become the lifestyle bible of Manila, packed with great articles and fab photos in well laid-out pages.

Red ladies

For the ball, my newest accessory will be the Sony Ericsson C902 Cyber-shot Phone. As I am technologically challenged, my 10-year-old Annika hooked it up with my Globe Platinum SIM and is teaching me its numerous features, like its touch screen, 5-megapixel camera.

The C902 is so slim that it fits perfectly in my Bea Valdes bag, so I won?t have to lug around a camera at the ball. I got this idea from watching the camera phone in action at Rajo Red, Rajo?s 15th anniversary gala benefit.

House of Laurel GM Venisse Laurel-Hermano and Samantha Laurel were among the first to use the new C902. As the major sponsor of the event, Sony Ericsson assisted Rajo in choosing all the glamorous Rajo Red ladies, including visiting Hong Kong tai-tai Audrey Chui, Fely Atienza and Monica Domiguez, who all looked so stunning with their new phones.

The Rajo Red Ladies were part of the Camera Club of the Philippines? Visions For Red exhibit, for the benefit of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Makati branch.

Red Cross events director Marivic Rufino, Marissa Gorriceta and Florence Co were among the special ladies chosen to receive a C902 Cyber-shot phone as a token for their generous donations.

I?m still in seventh heaven from that event. It is ?simply amazing? with donors like the PLDT-Smart Foundation and the Metrobank Foundation giving so much to assist the Red Cross.

Metrobank gives to Red Cross

The Metrobank Foundation is the corporate social-responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group of Companies. Over the past 28 years, it has promoted a culture of excellence among Filipinos through its various programs notably the Search for Outstanding Teachers, the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence, Outstanding Philippine Soldier, Policemen in Service and College Scholarship Programs.

The Foundation also has grants programs assisting nongovernment and government organizations.

The generous Metrobank Foundation gave to both the Makati Red Cross and PNRC headquarters, the latter received by Red Cross grand dame Rosa Rosal. With all the fundraising I am involved with for the Makati branch, a friend called me the next Rosa Rosal. And I replied, yes, but with a dash of Angelina Jolie thrown in!

My own TV show

After years of recognizing young, talented painters, the Metrobank Foundation has renamed its contest into the Metrobank Arts & Design Excellence. The awards now include promising sculptors, architects and interior designers, especially those with green and natural philosophies in their designs.

The interior design winners will be featured in my new TV show, ?House Life,? which pilots on QTV tomorrow at 7:25 p.m. after ?Sweet Life.? Puh-lease watch!

The premier episode features the house that beauty built. Cosmetic doctor to the stars Vicki Belo and her daughter Cristalle Henares share their Asian, modern home, designed by top architect Ramon Antonio, and their Makati Medical Plaza clinic, designed by me!

Aside from the celebrity home feature, ?House Life? has wonderful tips on home improvements, instant makeovers and excellent interior design. Talented interior designers Tristan Jovellana, Marilen Montenegro and Aissa Gonzalez are together with me in this exciting show giving their expert advice and flavor to enhance any home interior.

Make us your Monday evening TV habit and give me a sense of vuja day, that wonderful feeling where I can say, ?I?ve never been here before,? hosting my own TV show.

PS: The Assumption Bazaar is on today at the Hotel InterCon Ballroom. Raffle prizes await lucky shoppers and they?re open till 7 p.m.

E-mail the author at seaprincess@inquirer.com.ph.