MANILA, Philippines ? This fascinating woman of stature knows what giving a fun, great bash is all about, dahlings. She?s none other than art connoisseur, fashion plate and charity worker Fe Santos Rodriguez. Guests at her home included the young and young-at-heart, palanggas.

With a wide array of scrumptious delights provided by Kai resto and an intimate setting styled by her talented son Junie, Fe made sure that the invitees would enjoy the evening. It was an ideal birthday celebration, featuring an exciting menu paired with tons of amusing conversation and gossip over cocktails.

The best part was the presence of two former mayors, Quezon City?s Mel Mathay and Makati?s Dr. Elenita Binay, and Taguig?s dynamic Mayor Freddie Tiñga with his adorable wife Kaye, dahlings.

During a tour of Fe?s sprawling condo, we spotted a gorgeous painting of her by the great artist Manansala.

Then Fe requested that donations be given to Bantay Bata and Alay sa Bansa Center for research and development in lieu of gifts, dahlings. No wonder we had a great time ?til way past 2 a.m., palanggas.

Philippine Star Ball 2009

The Philippine Star Ball 2009 superbly organized by Michaela ?Pinky? Puno at the grand ballroom of Shangri-La Makati was an awesome success, dahlings. Top dancers from 27 countries, no less, jetted into town for a fantastic night of ballroom dancing, dahlings. The exciting event was emceed by World Dance champion Gary McDonald and co-hosted by Edu Manzano and internationally renowned dancer Charlotte Jorgensen.

Manila?s dance aficionados were in full force cheering for their favorites.

Opening the star-studded happening were Pinky Puno and her partner Slava Sergiev. Her husband and number one supporter, Interior Secretary Ronnie Puno, and other members of the Puno clan watched and applauded with pride, palanggas.

One highlight was the terrific dance number by the Antipolo school children. Belinda Adora, our very own dance champion, trained the children, who she hopes ?will be the future dance champions of our country.?

Last year?s mega champions in the professional category, Yulia Zagoruychenko and Riccardo Cocchi again won this year?s grand competition.

Proceeds went to Pinky?s pet project Kythe, which helps children with cancer.

With all the twisting and rocking, it?s no wonder that all the guests danced ?til way past Cinderella?s bedtime, palanggas.

Celebration of real beauty

?Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them all?? When I dashed over to the Gallery of Greenbelt 5 (G5), popular fashion photographer Sara Black, a beauty herself, answered that question with her photo exhibit titled ?When I Look in the Mirror.? And believe me, there were tons of truly beautiful women celebrating ?real beauty,? dahlings. A project in partnership with Dove, the event showcased 46 portraits of eye-catching women who had trademark features like a huge mole, freckles, a lightning-shaped scar or a row of crooked teeth.

These women didn?t resort to measures to hide such ?flaws.? Instead, they embraced everything that makes them who they are, palanggas.

?This book is my reaction to working in an industry that can sometimes be so overly obsessed with perfection and ends up thinking that it?s their benchmark or standard of beauty,? says Sara.

?When I Look in the Mirror? is another positive addition to Dove?s growing roster of projects ?to strengthen women?s confidence and self-esteem,? said the event?s host Dennis Perez, Dove?s brand manager.

Hair problem?

For those who have hair problems, visit Svensons. Miracles will happen, palanggas. Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Eva Abesamis and myself, among others, are the perfect examples.