IN a bizarre reversal of roles, my husband, Dennis, and I seem to have switched places. I was flipping through the latest issue of Metro Society, one of the country?s leading society magazines, and there he was in a feature, as one of the Men in Suits.

Meanwhile, I seem to have traded in my Solea stilettos for Nikes and Oakleys. My social calendar looks more like his, filled with athletic stuff of all sorts.

After a sabbatical from marathon training, I have finally decided to get back on the fitness bandwagon. My new Nike Lunar Trainers, made of ultra light, NASA-tested foam, and running gear have displaced my wigs and accessories.

And I recently upgraded my Oakley shades to their new Enduring line, exclusively designed for women. The eyewear is so advanced; its permanent hydrophobic lens coating eliminates water sheen and repels dust, skin oils and lotions, maintaining a smudge-resistant barrier. That last line is from the brochure. To me, all I can say is that it?s super clear and I can see so much all around.

I?m thinking more of triathlon these days. It?s not enough to accessorize for running. There are swimming suits and biking gadgets to consider. I just ordered a custom-made Speedo triathlon suit during the Speedo fashion show at the new, straight-out-of-James-Bond, beautiful British Embassy in McKinley Hill. And then I got a fitting for a me-sized bike from Bike Town.

But of course, I still need to fit in my beloved ?S.E.?s,? as my kids call my social events, into all these activities. Enter Metro Society. At the launch of their Men in Suits issue, it was amazing to be in the audience watching my hubby on stage, along with 16 other well-suited gentlemen, all hand-picked by editor Raul Manzano.

Hailing from diverse backgrounds in politics, business, design, show business, law, and in Dennis? case, gambling, these power players all proved that yes, the suit makes the man. It was sweet of Dennis to note his personal style as ?whatever Tessa buys me.? So I guess since I bought his Ermenegildo Zegna suit, then that makes him my man.

Metro Society put together a night of glitz, glamour and power at Greenbelt 5, sponsored by Adora, HSBC and Ayala Malls. Creative photographer Jason Penaloza was commissioned to dramatically pose these men in their suits, all taken at the Mandarin Oriental.

My favorites include style architect Miguel Pastor, looking timeless as always; Aurora Congressman Sonny Angara, looking playful on a bathroom stool; food entrepreneur Luis de Terry, looking yummy; businessman Juan Pablo Bertotto, looking like a model for his VMV Hypoallergenics products; and lawyer Lutz Kunack, looking devilishly dangerous, sort of like Billy Drago in The Untouchables. Catch the photo exhibit until today at Greenbelt 5.

Entrepreneurial siblings

At the event, I bumped into the entrepreneurial Llamas brothers. Youngest sibling William has a nice photo all suited up sans shoes. These brothers are so business-minded and charitable, too. Aside from their health and nutritional products, they are also concert promoters.

Their latest project is the upcoming concert of Natalie Cole, the eight-time, Grammy Award winner behind chart-topping songs like ?Unforgettable,? her famous ?virtual? duet with her father Nat King Cole, recorded after he had passed away. She will be performing in Manila for the first time on March 11, 8 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.

The show, dubbed ?An Unforgettable Evening with Natalie Cole?Live in Manila? will see the multi-platinum artist performing her greatest hits accompanied by a big band with an amazing horns section. I?m told the virtual duet is part of the show, so to share that out-of-body experience, call 374-2222, 374-9999 and 911-5555.

Special polo

Speaking of S.E.?s, let me feature the crème de la crème of social events?a twin celebration defined by speed, power and luxury. The Enrique Zobel Memorial Polo Club is extra special this year because it is jointly celebrated by the club?s centennial polo session and the Cup?s sponsor, PGA Cars, the exclusive importer and distributor of Porsche and Audi in the country.

Dubbed as ?A Century of New Thinking,? Audi?s 2009 slogan recaps an authentic era that capitalized on German technical advancement. Audi has once again proved it is a global leader with a new range of models and soaking sales.

It was a perfect day for polo, with guests enjoying Bellagio wine from Wine Depot. Crowd favorites like Jake Zobel of the Porsche Whites team and Vince Bitong of the Porsche Blacks team were playing exceptionally well.

At the opening parade, beautiful Bianca Zobel and Thorsten Hagel, Porsche Training Headmaster of Asia, made a grand entrance in a gleaming Porsche 911 Cabriolet joined by the horses and riders. Manila Polo Club president Ramon Dimacali and PGA Cars chairman Robert Coyiuto Jr. were delighted with the successful event that afternoon.

CARA adoption booth

Not all S.E.?s need to be defined by the chi-chi crowd. Indeed, our social commitments should more often focus on the social rather than the event. Take the example of CARA, a group composed of animal lovers who bonded together to form Compassion and Responsibility for Animals (CARA Welfare Philippines).

CARA is sponsoring an Adoption Booth for dogs and cats at Bonifacio High Street this weekend, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., ending today. I?m reminded about how US President Barack Obama intends to get a dog for his daughters, but is just waiting for the right dog from one of the animal shelters in Washington, D.C.

Coincidentally, another animal lover who has several adopted cats from a shelter is U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney. Wouldn?t it be amazing if Ambassador Kenney were to find the right dog for President Obama at the CARA Adoption Booth?

CARA president Nancy Cu-Unjieng says their group also provides spaying and neutering services. If you can?t make it to the CARA Adoption Booth, you can still check out possible pets at http://www.caraphil.org/Adoption-Gallery.html. Call 882-5323 for more information.

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