THE best way to start the year is a colorful blast themed “Mellie-in-Wonderland,” held at the NBC Tent in Fort Bonifacio.
Mellie Ablaza, one of Tatler’s top hostesses of the year, is a woman of substance and consul of Guatemala. Mellie’s annual “thanksgiving party,” dahlings, was held 6 p.m.
Cocktails were served at the foyer of the tent as cool jazz music was played. The main ballroom had a meticulously detailed setup and décor done by the couple’s brilliant son, Junjun, “Wonderland’s White Rabbit,” who creates magnificent ambiance at all the Ablaza events, dahlings.
During the event, Mellie had two fabulous changes: a fire-engine-red gown with matching ruby bling bling and emerald-aqua gown with dripping emerald necklace. If that sounds good, believe me, it even looked better, palanggas.
The grand icon master of ceremonies, Johnny Litton, called on the Ablaza children, Marc, Junjun and Czarina and Jofe Syquia, with their children Alfonso, Agu, Azi and Amanu, to lead everyone in prayer. The dinner had everything one can expect to eat in Wonderland, prepared by chef Jesse Sincioco’s Le Soufflé, no less, with the wind and strings of a flutist, guitarist and violinist. Next on the program were Xavi and Santi (Marc and Tessa Ablaza’s sons), who played a Bach number, followed by self-taught baritone Lorenzo, who sang “Tonight” and “El Huero” to the amusement of the 700 invitees, palanggas. Capping the interesting program was a ballet number by Philippine Ballet Theater.
Several sinful dessert tables supervised by Jun Pena and Jeff Carpio had sweets from the Cheshire Cat of Audrey Tangco’s Bizu; the Rabbit of Baba Ibaceta’s Classic Confections; the Mad Hatter’s Table by Marta Matute, natch, and the Talking Flowers Table, by Carlo Estagle.
As the rabbit clock struck 10 p.m., Mellie and her guests hit the dance floor in hurricane fury ’til way past 2:30 a.m.
At the end, while the guests were leaving, I noticed two or three “socialites” walking out carrying plastic bags, with a waiter beside them. They then started picking up all the fresh fruits on the table which was used as the centerpiece. I couldn’t believe what I saw, so I went up to one of them and said, “With all your money, I’m sure you can afford to buy this in the grocery,” to which she answered me nonchalantly, “Oh, I’m going to use this for our lunch party the next day, which I’m giving.”
Oh well, I guess even the rich are feeling the economic crunch, n’est ces pas (as in, di bala), palanggas?
If wonderland were to be revisited again, it would only be Mellie A. who can take you back to our dreams of what wonderland is all about, even for one memorable night, palanggas.
Cine Europa 11
The prestigious Cine Europa 11 at Shangri-La Plaza opened its doors for the first time to Europe. Participating countries brought us closer to such fab movies we do not see in regular movie houses, which is such a pity, palanggas.
Cine Europa 11 was officially launched by French Ambassador Gerard Chesnel and Shangri-La Plaza EVP and general manager Lala Fojas at the Shang’s Grand Atrium. Followers of the film festival and representatives from participating countries were present. The celebration was an opportunity for film enthusiasts to rediscover the diversity, gaiety and drama of Europe, dahlings.
When I got home that night, I watched “Insiders,” a program about Hollywood movie stars, their love lives, breakups and the perpetual paparazzi, which got me thinking about foreign and local celebrities. They work hard to become famous, then go through back streets or rush to their cars wearing sunglasses during the day or night to avoid being recognized. Kind of weird, huh? Oh well.
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