ARTICLE SERVICES            Reprint this article     Print this article       Send as an e-mail     Send Feedback       Post a comment       RELATED STORIES   Her shoes are ‘sexy but not scandalous’ Tippi’s book is not by the book Trying to fathom the Hermès mania GALLERY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next   Zoom    CIVIC-ORIENTED la simpatica Bea M. Zobel de Ayala and philanthropist-arts patroness Imelda Cojuangco, with the inspiration and organizer behind the successful 39th season of Ballet Philippines, Sofia Zobel Elizalde Zoom    VISITING from Madrid, eyecatchers Cristina Soriano with Pilar Roxas and stylish Gina Roxas Zoom    MIN KYUNG and Andreas Biehler Zoom    BRILLIANT Executive Vice President for Stores Specialists Inc., Anton Huang, with Leah Puyat and Ayala’s Javi Hernandez Zoom    KATHERINE Tan and Helen Lim Zoom    MELY Reyes, Connie Alberto and Jojo Crisologo Zoom    DTMN’s CORA Auste with Christine Dayrit, Clang Garcia and Bum Tenorio Zoom    WORLD traveler Mayenne Carmona with Gerhard Kropp, hotshot PHI president and owning company of Dusit Thani Manila, and socialite Jojo Zabarte Action Start By Ruel S. De Vera Associate Editor MY father is many things—engineer, businessman, intellectual—but he is also something rare: a connoisseur of bad action movies. Th ...More 10 reasons to watch the UAAP opening weekend Hope in uncertainty Wear your school spirit–but in style Let Hero tackle the swine flu panic I am no Michael Jackson fan PWU’s Renaissance woman marks milestone French delights Inner beauty Cervical cancer: ladies’ malady Cures for post-acne mark, dry feet, cellulite More Stories » Showbiz and Style Why a bachelor like me chose to adopt Elevating the ‘toyomansi’ barbecue Instant noodles are not balanced meals Oils that help remove body toxins Deep-fried foods lower body energy Documenting heritage Wife nags husband about past infidelity Running the marathon for a healthy lifestyle Doña Maria is perfect for ‘bagoong’ rice Be practical–but keep the style Showbiz and Style Singer-actress a glorified ‘yaya’ Miley says no to dad Billy Ray’s dream King of Pop may be viewed in glass casket Lessons learned from Jackson’s tragic tale Global fans won't beat it from Jackson thrill I am no Michael Jackson fan Interesting stories about Michael Jackson ‘Sad' Madonna plans Jackson tribute Potter actor gets H1N1 in Britain—publicist Diet collapses, now out of danger What/who is closest to Tonyboy’s heart now? 10 reasons to watch the UAAP opening weekend   Showbiz and Style Most Read RSS Jayceekay Stationers & Engravers Look for: Caroline L. Paspe Tel. No.: 817.6384 or 817.6786 Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila Look for: Elai Hernandez or Szu Lopez Tel. No.: 633.7222 loc. 7250/7273/7277 or Tel. No. 636.0042 Mobile#: (0922)8800748/(0922)8010066Email: elaina.hernandez@ihg.com  OTHER COLUMNS Tessa! : Celebrating our crystal year at oceanarium / Tessa Prieto-Valdes Emily's Post : Is he ready for a relationship? / Emily A. Marcelo Purely Personal : Order of Malta Philippines joins pilgrimage / Josephine Darang Lotus Pond - Bismark : Inner beauty / S. Bismark Street Smart : PWU’s Renaissance woman marks milestone / Mandy Navasero Medical Files : Let Hero tackle the swine flu panic / Rafael Castillo, MD Discovery : Hope in uncertainty / Massie Santos Ballon

BALLET Philippines (BP) and Philippine Tatler magazine partnered with Ayala Land Premier, Olay and renowned Sofitel to present the magnificent “New Beginnings” gala.

The benefit performance and fundraiser celebrated BP’s 39th successful season, dahlings.

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) was filled with philanthropists, dignitaries, tycoons and taipans, ballet lovers and benefactors such as the ultra-glam Imelda Cojuangco; adorable Bea Medina Zobel and Jaime Zobel de Ayala; CCP president Nes Jardin; and the gala’s super dedicated co-chairpersons Sofia Zobel Elizalde and Elaine Marden—all elegantly dressed in Filipiniana finery.

Jetting into town for the gala was BP honorary chairman, New York-based Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish, former BP soloist and the only Filipina principal dancer at the prestigious Alvin Ailey Dance Company. She passionately thanked the audience for supporting BP, quoting her mentor, the world-renowned Alvin Ailey: “Dance is for the people and should be delivered back to them.”

The performance then opened with Ailey’s Night Creature, especially restaged by Roxas-Dobrish, to the chi-chi crowd’s thunderous applause and bravos, dahlings.

The company’s new team of brilliant artistic directors, Max Luna III and Alan Hineline, superbly choreographed the following compelling pieces that composed the evening’s breathtaking repertoire.

Overflowing champagne and generous cocktails from Sofitel were served at the CCP lobby and mezzanine, which were decorated with stunning life-size photographs of dancers in motion and gorgeous flower installations by Margarita Fores of Fiori di M, palanggas.

Après the fantastic happening, Sofitel hosted an intimate party for the gala’s generous sponsors at the hip Le Bar. The chic invitees were chauffeured there by BMW’s elegant fleet of limousines, while Olay gifted 25 of the gala’s standout women with the complete Regenerist line no less, dahlings.

Charmed by Tiffany’s

The chic name alone brings back memories of one of the best, lovable movies of our time, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” with the unmatchable Audrey Hepburn as the star, dahlings. Now, in its posh new home at world-class Rustan’s Makati, Stores Specialists Inc. treated loyal clientele and invitees to Tiffany & Co.’s new collection, “Charmed by Tiffany.”

Breezing around, I couldn’t get my eyes off Tiffany’s renowned sterling silver jewelry and iconic charms, eye-catching gleaming silver and jewelry, palanggas.

Rustan’s creative director and prince of alta moda Inno Sotto introduced Tiffany’s famed collections. The Tiffany collection was in the center of the room, giving us the opportunity to look, select, buy or just drool over its many charms.

With endless flowing wine and sparkling champagne, one slightly boozed-up wealthy man told me, “I’m sure this Christmas, many men I know will have divided gifts. One for their wives and the other more expensive ones for their girl-friends.” Well, that’s the best of two worlds, n’est ces pas, palanggas?

Check out Tiffany’s exquisite collections exclusively distributed by Rustan’s.

Gourmet tour

It was any gourmand’s dream come true, dahlings, when the elegant Dusit Thani Manila (DTMN) treated guests to a grand gourmet tour.

We thoroughly enjoyed specialty dishes offered by the popular Japanese restaurant, Umu; Benjarong, one of the best Royal Thai restaurants; and Tosca, the superb Italian resto.

At Umu, Gilbert Uy, director of food and beverage, gave us an overview. Next stop was the excellent Benjarong, where everyone dug into the best seller, Tom Yam Gung, and the popular Phad Thai.

And the grand finale was at Tosca, where we sipped Barossa Valley wines and tried the to-die-for Stuffed Lamb Tortello, served with Toasted Fava Bean, among other yummies.

Après that gastronomic journey, we had a tour of DFiT Fitness Center and Devarana Spa, the signature spa at Dusit Thani Manila. The latter was highlighted by a Thai massage demonstration, which was what just we needed après all that intake of calorific heavenly delights.

But the main highlight was, naturellement, a raffle for an overnight stay in the Junior Suite with breakfast and a Devarana Massage. As always, everyone left with a bag full of goodies. It’s so very Dusit Thani, dahlings.

UST Christmas concert

According to St. Augustine, “He who sings well, prays twice.” What better time to sing well than in anticipation of Christmas, palanggas?

So on Dec. 4, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) will hold its fab Sixth Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. at the UST Chapel.

With the UST Band and the UST Symphony Orchestra under the conductor, Prof. Herminigildo Ranera, the UST Conservatory of Music will present its pool of fantastic music and performing talents.

Michael Jacinto will be the conductor for the UST Wind Orchestra, dahlings.

The concert features four hot sopranos from UST. Ma. Austregelina Alfornon, Thea Perez and Naomi Sison will perform songs arranged by Prof. Ranera.

Meanwhile, the divine Rachelle Gerodias will sing songs by Handel.

The renowned pianist, Dr. Raul Sunico, dean of the UST Conservatory of Music, no less, will be the grand finalé number.

This Christmas Concert Gala, palanggas, bids to raise funds for the Pontifical University, specificially the UST Museum, the oldest school-based museum in the country. It also aims to raise scholarship grants for students of the UST Conservatory.

Maricris Cardeñas Zobel, no less, and Rev. Fr. Isidro Abaño, OP, UST secretary-general, are the mega co-chairpersons of this sixth Christmas concert.

For info, call 7313544 (telefax: 7409727); or e-mail gvfontanilla@mnl.ust.edu.ph.

• Her shoes are ‘sexy but not scandalous’
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• Trying to fathom the Hermès mania

• 10 reasons to watch the UAAP opening weekend
• Hope in uncertainty
• Wear your school spirit–but in style
• Let Hero tackle the swine flu panic
• I am no Michael Jackson fan
• PWU’s Renaissance woman marks milestone
• French delights
• Inner beauty
• Cervical cancer: ladies’ malady
• Cures for post-acne mark, dry feet, cellulite
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• Tessa! :  Celebrating our crystal year at oceanarium / Tessa Prieto-Valdes
• Emily's Post :  Is he ready for a relationship? / Emily A. Marcelo
• Purely Personal :  Order of Malta Philippines joins pilgrimage / Josephine Darang
• Lotus Pond - Bismark :  Inner beauty / S. Bismark
• Street Smart :  PWU’s Renaissance woman marks milestone / Mandy Navasero
• Medical Files :  Let Hero tackle the swine flu panic / Rafael Castillo, MD
• Discovery :  Hope in uncertainty / Massie Santos Ballon