Yet for his 36th book, my New Yorker friend Reynaldo "Ron" Alejandro was persuaded to do a coffeetable book on "Magandang Filipina: Beauty for Life."
Published by Pond’s and ergo, backed by Unilever Philippines, the 269–page book was launched at the lavish dinner to–do held at the Rigodon Ballroom of the Peninsula Manila.
Just about everybody who’s anybody was there to be seen and be counted, thanks to the popularity of this prolific author from the Big Apple and Unilever Philippines... And Pond’s with its philosophy that "beauty is for living, not just for show."
By helping women discover their own style of beauty and ergo, develop confidence to face the world, Pond’s "helps women get more out of life."
The evening dou-bled up as an awards night for the "Magan-dang Filipina" photo competition, which Unilever sponsored, among members of the Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation headed by Edi Huang and Lito Beltran.
Thank goodness, the photographs were artistically done, with special emphasis on the ethnicity of the Filipino woman rather than just beauty queens. The winning entries were exhibited at the hotel lobby, titled "Magandang Filipina Gallery: Beauty for Life."
Ironically, the second prize winner, rather than the first prize winner, was chosen for the cover of Alejandro’s book.
It was a grand affair alright, thanks to the efforts of Albert Almendralejo who orchestrated everything, with help from Beng Reyes Ong. They even had Dom Martin de Jesus aka Gang Gomez fly in from Bukidnon to open the evening with a prayer.
Unilever’s Ho-ward Belton and wife Christina were up there, beaming with pride over the project. So were Unilever executives Noel Lorenzana, Chito Macapagal, Dondi Gomez, Francis Flores and Shanahan Chua. This was not the first book to be published by Unilever, all of which were authored by Ron Alejandro.
All through dinner, an all fired–up Rodel Colemnar conducted the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra through rapturous compositions. Ana Fegi, Agot Isidro and Lemuel de la Cruz took turns singing for the guests.
A fashion show highlighted the booklaunch and director Robbie Carmona had to make the most of a tight stage to show off the creations by top designers Ben Farrales, Roy Gonzales, Auggie Cor-dero,Cesar Gaupo, Patis Tesoro, Nolie Hans, Frede-rick Peralta, Randy Ortiz and Rajo Laurel.
Onstage were some of my favorites models such as Marina Benipayo, Tweetie de Leon, Patty Betita… ditto, Assunta de Rossi (with waist so tiny… was she wearing a corset?), Gaita Fores, Kelly Misa. They showed mostly contemporary versions of the terno with the exception of Roy Gonzales’ black cocktail dress.
"Magandang Filipina" featured writers to expound on different aspects of "beauty" such as the "Filipina Beauty"…. "Revenge of the Mestiza" … "The Filipina as Beauty Queen"… "The Beauty Makers" …. etcetera.
Contributing writers were Cesar Ruiz Aquino, Virgil Calaguian, Behn Cervantes, Stephanie Ledesma, G. Mendez Legazpi, Llita T. Logarta, Peter Zalagoza Mayshle, Carmen Guerrero Nakpil, Nelson Navarro, Rene Nieva, Doris Nuyda, playwright Nonon Padilla, Minyong Ordonez, Dero Pedero, designer Barge Ramos, Gilbert Perez, Donnie Ramirez, Vicente Roman ‘Mike’ S. Santos, concert pianist Raul M. Sunico, Teresa R. Tunay, Resty M. Vergara and Alfred A. Yuson.
Undoubtably, the prose was great but the helter skelter layout needs re–doing. Such a waste of a beautiful concept for a book!
Still, people were grabbing for the book (which was being given out for free) that night AND for the goodie bags (courtesy of Unilever), including several well known society ladies who walked off with four or five goodie bags (and I know who you are, dearies!).
Also on display in the lobby were photographs by Danilo Franco, Godo Zapanta, Dominador Cruz of Tropicana, Rupert Jacinto, Jun de Leon, Christian Panganiban, the much revered Bob Razon and Wig Tysman, and members of the Federation of Philippine Photographers Inc.
It was also a night for namedropping with the likes of book author Marla Yotoko Chorengel , businesswoman Loida Nicolas Lewis, Cong. Imee Marcos, Arthur and Mariter Macapagal, former Justice Sec. Sedfrey Ordoñez, Amb. Virgil Reyes from South Africa, concert pianist Raul Sunico, ex–senator Loren Legarda, ballerina Toni Lopez Gonzales with her mother Sony Lopez Gonzalez, ceramic artist Lanelle Abueva Fernando, Johnny Valdes of Johnny Air, former beauty queens Lorraine Schuck, Cynthia Ugalde Tan and Peachy Veneracion, dermatologist Dr. Vicki Belo, the 2005 winners of Miss Earth International, Ronnie’s buddy Mike Santos, et al.
All told, "Magandang Filipina" is a nice book to display on the coffeetable.
*****
BY THE WAY…. Birthday greetings this week go to — singer Basil Valdes, restaurateur Vicvic Villavicencio of Triple V, restaurateurs Rikki Dee and Jocelyn Poon, Bulletin’s Joel Atencio, Nov. l8; Makati first lady Dra. Elenita Binay, Josie Padilla Rufino, actress Janice de Belen, entrepreneur Beth Nieva, Oct. 9; Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, comedian Ai Ai delas Alas, writer Alice Lopez Lim, model Noemi Maglinte, Nov. 11; Ilocos Norte Cong. Imee R. Marcos, Amb. Mila Perez, newsman Diego Cagahastian, Nov. 12; PETA founder Cecile Guidote Alvarez of NCCA, Chula Ramos Sembrano, Techie Bilbao, newshen Gloria Goloy, Nov. 13…. Belated birthday greetings to Linda Floro of Buon Giorno, a quaint Italian restaurant on the Tagaytay ridge which we discovered over the long weekend which I shall tell you more about next time…. Have a good week and SMILE!
