To introduce the city to the diplomatic community, Mayor Fresnedi, assisted by Vice Mayor Aldrin San Pedro, hosted the reception at posh Palm Country Club in Filinvest Alabang.
TV personality Cory Quirino added spice as emcee at the cultural show featuring the city’s Himig Muntinlupa Choral Group and the Muntinlupa Dance Company. The dances and songs to provide the guests of honor glimpses into our Philippine culture.
Among the diplomatic guests were ... Cuban Ambassador Jorge Rey Jimenez, Lebanon Consul Joseph Assad, Indonesian Charge d’Affair Rosanna Suparmono, Nigeria Charge d’Affairs Oyebola Kuku, Qatar Second Secretary Ahmed Al–mannai, Syrian Consul Issam El–Debbs, et al.
Seen also were former DILG Secretary Joey Lina, iBank president/ CEO Ramon Sy, Filinvest EVP Josephine Gotianun Yap, BGN Ventures managing director Francisco Sandejas with his wife Christine Jacob, All City Management Corp. managing director Basil Ong, Cyndy Tan Jarabata of the Muntinlupa Investment Board.
And did you know that Press Secretary Ignacio "Toti" Bunye used to be mayor of Muntinlupa before Fresnedi? But he apparently wasn’t able to attend the party.
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NIGHT LIFE at the Araneta Center in Cubao is alive and jumping, thanks to Gateway, its much–talked– about mall. The mall is now becoming Metro Manila’s hottest watering hole as well as restaurants, cafes and bars are opening there almost every week.
The latest to join the parade were Cafe Havana, touted as the best known Philippine bar, and Cafe Adriatico, the pioneering cafe that started it all in Adriatico, Malate.
The night these two opened at Gateway, Araneta Center president Teddy Asuncion admitted that "having Cafe Havana and Cafe Adritico here at Gateway adds splendor to the growing line-up of restaurants and food outlets here."
The ceremonial ribbon cutting was done by Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte, Jorge and Stella (Marquez) Araneta, and Larry Cruz of the LJC Group which owns Cafe Havana and Cafe Adriatico.
Among the guests were headturners like the lovely candidates to the Bb. Pilipinas 2005 quest... ditto, actress Alma Concepcion, the hunks — Christian Vazquez, Luis Alandy, Jay Manalo, Paolo Paraiso and Carlo Maceda, et al.
The music was hot and Latina, featuring Eileen Sison and Guarana.
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BURGOO, the diner that’s better than a diner and known for its American style dishes, recently opened outlets in Promenade Greenhills in San Juan and at the Gateway Mall at Araneta Center.
The two new branches offer the same favorite dishes such as steaks, burgers, pizzas and pastas, served in hefty American style servings (always good for sharing).
The Burgoo branch in the Promenade was blessed by Father Jayjay while the Gateway branch had as guests of honor — Senator Pia Cayetano, artist Mauro "Malang" Santos, actress Princess Punzalan, ATO director of the US Department of Agriculture Dennis Voboril, and some beauties from last year’s Bb. Pilipinas quest.
Hosting were Burgoo’s chairman Tita Rodriguez and managing director Albert Alavera.
The first Burgoo to open was at third level of Powerplant mall in Rockwell Center in Makati.
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BY THE WAY... Birthday greetings this week go to — Vivian Yuchengco, Carmita Francisco, Mel Sison, today, March 21; Anya Katigbak Cajucom, March 22; Manila Vice Mayor Danny Lacuna, super chef Gaita Fores, Snookie Taylor, Caye Katigbak, Tipin Cosculluela, March 23;writers Zardo Austria, Angge Goloy and Encarnita Martinez, Budoy Sanchez, Loleng Panlilio, March 24; garments entrepreneur Charo Apacible, writer Margie Baterina, travel exec Josie Pasricha, March 26; food columnist Lydia Castillo, artist Cesar Zalameda, writer Linda Bolido, Geena Zablan of Heritage Hotel, March 27... our condolences to Charisse Garcia Chuidian of Mandarin Oriental hotel on the death of her mother Paulita Fernandez vda de Garcia, the widow of slain newspaperman Ermin Garcia, on March 14 in the USA... condolences also to Ado Escudero and family on the death of their sister Edie Escudero Quisumbing last Friday... as we observe the Holy Week, remember to set aside time to reflect on its true meaning. So... PRAY!
