MANILA, Philippines—The dazzling Arritos jewelry exhibit dazzled the Shangri-La Plaza Mall as they hosted “Arritos: A Homage to Philippine Heroines and Women Trailblazers,” with designs inspired by legendary female icons in the country.

These women of substance who have made a significant contribution to Philippine history—in the political, social or civic arena—were recognized by having gorgeous bling-blings designed after them by the best, from the established to the young-and-upcoming artists, whose masterful creations were on display to the “ahh’s” and “ohh’s” of the invitees.

Well-respected National Artists Napoleon Abueva and Arturo Luz, with hot designers like Wynn Wynn Ong and Ramon Orlina came up with elegant eye-catching bracelets, earrings, necklaces and other bejeweled accessories, for the likes of Socorro Ramos; Lea Salonga; Helena Benitez; Atang de la Rama; my palangga Ming Ramos; my guardian angel Rosa Rosal and the doyen herself, Anita Magsaysay-Ho, dahlings.

The must-have ribbon-snipping was led by Shangri-La Plaza EVP and general manager brilliant Lala Fojas, Cong. Jose Carlos Lacson and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Lito Atienza; while featured artists Abueva, Paul Syjuco, Tara Soriano, Rica Tañega and Orlina stood at attention and watched, before the invitees sat down for the excellently prepared dinner while being entertained by the Baile Foundation during this sparkling night of glam and artistry, palanggas.

Aurelio Montinola III receives France’s Légion D’Honneur

That young dynamo Aurelio Montinola III, president of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), was awarded the grand rank of Chevalier (as in “Knight”) in France’s highest decoration, the Ordre de la Légion d’Honneur, for his “unfailing support to economic and cultural ties between France and the Philippines,” said the très charmant French Ambassador Gerard Chesnel during the awarding ceremonies, mon cheris, just days before he left for his new post.

Légion d’Honneur is an order of chivalry established in May 19, 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte, first Consul of the French Republic. The President of France, currently Nicolas Sarkozy, is the Grand Master of the Order, no less.

“He also co-founded Cosmetiques de Paris, which eventually became L’Oreal Philippines, and has organized a large delegation of Filipino businessmen to meet its counterpart in France in late 2007.”

Aurelio, who belongs to a famillie with an intense passion for France, has always been supportive of the Alliance Française de Manille (AFM) where he and his mother Lourdes served as presidents. His famillie sponsored the construction of the new Alliance Française building with assistance from other benefactors. BPI is also a generous sponsor of the events of the très popular “French Spring” in Manille, a yearly cultural happening of the best in French and Filipino cultures, dahlings.

A great honor indeed, for a real cool bank president, n’est ces pas? (as in, di bala?)

Celebrities Make a Stand: Straight or Curly?

For years, dahlings, women who care about their looks have wondered which hair style shall reign supreme: Straight or curly? Well to answer this question, Sunsilk held a hair debate at The Rockwell Tent as it unveiled its latest line of hair products, the Sunsilk Style Collection. Carrying the torch were celebrities and personalities who made strong points to firm up their stand, palanggas.

Two teams represented each hair type: Participants like sports enthusiast Marc Nelson; Basement Salon’s Stefan Wilczynski; actress-turned-singer Nancy Castiglione; Preview Magazine’s beauty expert Agoo Bengzon for Team Straight and entrepreneur and man-about-town Stephen Ku; Tinette Salon’s Tinette Puyat; comedienne Wilma Doesnt and Metro Magazine’s beauty editor Erica Paredes for Team Curly.

London’s très popular “People’s Hairdresser” Andrew Barton jetted in to town for the happening to share the product range which he helped develop within a three-year period. Andrew said: “These styling products are great whether you have straight or curly hair. You can style your hair in a snap without too much fuss. I know Filipino women will love them because I see how glamorous and fashionable you are.”

For a demonstration, Andrew Barton did a hair makeover on guest Crissy Miguel. It took him five short minutes to transform Crissy’s wavy hair into a more voluminous ’do.

The highlight was when gorgeous Sunsilk endorsers Marian Rivera (for curly hair) and Heart Evangelista (for straight hair) showed the invitees the difference, dahlings, which produces superstar results, palanggas.

Hey, check out the Sunsilk Style Collection.

Real Life Foundation Fun Run

Real Life Foundation, an educational advocacy organization, is doing a 5K and 10K fun run at the Bonifacio Global City (The Fort) on Nov. 22.

The race starting point is at the Every Nation open grounds, 32nd St., cor. University Parkway, palanggas. Registration fee is P250, open to those 18 years old and above. It will be running for health and for a real good cause that will help our deserving high school and university students, palanggas.

For more info about the race, log on to www.igivetolife.com. Remember, all proceeds will go to the education of Real Life scholars.