MANILA, Philippines—Some of the country’s top photojournalists, dahlings, recently gathered for the 2008 World Press Photo Exhibition at The Podium in Ortigas Center.

A joint project of the Konrad Adenauer Asian Center for Journalism (ACFJ) at the Ateneo de Manila University, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, The Podium and Unilever Philippines, the exhibit showcased about 180 awesome photographs, including the winning photos in the annual World Press competition, no less, palanggas.

Moi was mesmerized by the Photo of the Year by Tim Hetherington of United Kingdom, for Vanity Fair, showing an American soldier resting at a bunker in Korengal, Afghanistan.

The tall, dashing and good-looking World Press Photo managing director, Michiel Munneke, jetted in from the Netherlands to take part in the opening with Ambassador Robert Brinks of the Royal Dutch Embassy in Manille, who was among the trés important personalities at the ribbon-snipping.

“The World Press competition and traveling photo exhibit have been conducted since 1955 by World Press Photo, an Amsterdam-based media NGO recognized as the world’s most significant and prestigious platform for press photography,” explained SM’s VP for marketing and communications, cyber-smart Millie Dizon, palanggas.

Aprés The Podium exhibit, which was also showcased at SM Mall of Asia and The Block SM City North Edsa, dahlings, tons of viewers were amazed.

Bigfish parties

Rain or shine, Aklan’s breathtaking paradise, Boracay reigns the beach destination in the country. Every party lover knows that wicked parties are part of Boracay’s charm. And Bigfish’s annual celebrations make this island even hotter, dahlings.

As in the past, Bigfish in cooperation with Nokia Music turned Boracay’s Hey Jude Bar and Bistro into sizzling party places. An awesome mix of foreigners and hot men and women made up the Boracay party crowd. The first 100 Nokia users that presented their mobile phones at the entrance got in free of charge, dahlings.

Bigfish kicked off the bash with Slinky TransAtlantik resident DJ, Johnboy Lee, who got the crowd warmed up for the night of dance. DJ Dennis Christopher was next. Dennis delighted everyone by spinning an intoxicating progressive set, that took the party to even greater heights until 7 a.m.

Bigfish also featured Fierce Angel’s Beach Angel, palanggas, this time with Craig McGivern, saxophonist Lady Victoria and Johnboy Lee.

Needless to say, the gigs put another feather on Bigfish’s cap, thanks to Nokia Music, Jergens, Myx, Bigfish Radio, Folded & Hung, Bigfish TV, Seair, Inquirer.net plus tons of other sponsors.

Bigfish Radio airs on Magic 89.9 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. every Saturday. Groove to Killer Bee station’s music nationwide.

Just imagine what the rest of 2008 will bring you, irrepressible party people. Bigfish won’t be held back, dahlings.

UP centennial celebration

The country’s prestigious University of the Philippines and the UP Centennial Commission held a “thank you” dinner at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel for “the generous donations to the University of the Philippines centennial fund,” said UP president Emerlinda R. Roman during her welcome remarks, dahlings. The event traced UP’s history and its link to the growth and development of the country.

Sen. Edgardo Angara, UP Centennial Commission chair, cited “the efforts of the commission in the centennial fund that will be used for the improvement and maintenance of different facilities.”

An impressive list of UP Centennial donors were trés-trés visible, moi was told, includes architect David Consunji; members of the 14th Congress; Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines represented by Kandi Anand; former prime minister, Dr. Cesar Virata; Dr. Gregorio Alvior; Nelia Gonzales; awardee Robina Gokongwei-Pei; Dr. Arsenia Balisacan; Ambassador Jesus Yabes; Dr. Magdaleno Albarracin Jr.; Dr. Angelita Reyes; lawyer Eduardo Hernandez; Johnlu Koa; Malou Mangahas on behalf of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism; Ramon del Rosario of Phinma; Makati’s dynamic Mayor Jejomar Binay; Diosdado Banatao of the University of California Berkeley; fashion designer Jose “Pitoy” Moreno; and Fernando Zobel de Ayala of the Ayala Group of Companies, were honored with paintings of the UP Carillon done by individual artists.
Aprés the speeches of several generous invitees offered pledges for additional donations to the University. They include ABS-CBN, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine Star, Philex Mining Corp., Philippine Charity Sweepstakes, PLDT, Smart Communications represented by the trés simpatico and intelligent Orlando Vea, Smart’s chief wireless advisor and an outstanding alumnus, palangga.

A great happening for a fantastic cause, dahlings.