The affair was a fund–raiser staged by San Miguel Corporation and Lifestyle Asia for the benefit of the Philippine Cancer Society. Proceeds of the evening were earmarked for the PCS information campaign, for research and patient services.
Honored were Marilou Peña Koa, Ayen Munji Laurel, Marguerite Lhuillier, Emily Lopez, Susie Ortigas, Susan Reyes, Menchu Soriano, Crikette Tantoco, Nikki Prieto Teodoro and Mercedes Lopez Vargas.
Topping the list are the 2005 Philippine Style Icon awardees Gretchen Oppen Cojuangco and Cristina Ponce Enrile.
The Best Dressed selection committee was composed of Philippine Cancer Society chairman Dr. Roberto Paterno, Relay for Life chairperson Imelda Cojuangco, fashion czar Pitoy Moreno, Arch. Gerry Contreras, "best dressed" co–chairs Fortune Ledesma and Helen Ong, and TV host/ columnist Johnny Litton.
It was a convivial evening highlight by the parade of the awardees onstage while Jeffrey Hidalgo sang. Just as exciting was the surprise donation by philanthropist and papal awardee Meldy Cojuangco.
Seen in the audience were Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, former Central Bank governor Jose Cuisia and HSBC CEO Warner Manning.
Sponsors included PCS friends Mellie Ablaza, Merle Pineda and Therese Coronel Santos, along with Titania Wine Cellar, Torres Wines, Menage Salon, Globe Telecom, Asahi Glass, BMW, Chopard and Rustan’s Essences.
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A DIFFERENT CELEBRATION. Beth Sison Tagle, chairman of District 381 of the Inner Wheel Clubs of the Philippines Inc., is one busy lady. She would put on hold personal concerns, like celebrating her birthday, in behalf of charity–oriented pursuits, mostly with the Inner Wheel projects.
She is the lady behind the "Salute" concert series featuring the Philippines’ version of the "3 Tenors" and starring DILG Secretary Angelo Reyes, MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando and former senator Joey Lina, now president of Manila Hotel and Fraport.
The "Salute" concert last year featured the "3 tenors" and members of media from television, radio and the newspapers for the benefit of Bantay Bata 123. The 5th "Salute" concert was joined by the "singing priests" of Batangas led by Bishop Soc Villegas, along with chief presidential legal adviser Rep. Tony Roman.. ditto, former SBMA chairman Tong Payumo (who did a duet with his daughter Lexi) and Bataan Mayor Bondyong Pascual.
We must give credit to Angie Magbanua, "Salute" musical director, who patiently coached these wannabe singers to performance level.
Not surprisingly, Beth’s birthday party was a sing–along with cast members of the different "Salute" concerts as wekk as the Inner Wheel family of Beth, hosted by Angie Magbanua.
Joey Lina and Bayani Fernando, with his wife, Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando, gamely sang for the celebrant. So did my boss, Bulletin editor in chief Jun Icban… ditto, Rod Cornejo of GMA–7, Nelly Sindayen of Time magazine, et al, with Gerry Matias on keyboard.
Earlier, Beth "celebrated" by joining a medical and dental mission sponsored by her Inner Wheel district at Brgy. Niogan Pelilia in Rizal with Rotarians Jun and Mila Sison. Beth who used to be dental assistant of her father, the late dentist Gen. Antero Sison Sr., helped to clean teeth.
The District 22 club presidents and officers of the Manila Rotarians led by Dr. Cesar Ubaldo, president, treated over 1,500 indigents.
Donors included Senators Manny Villar and Pia Cayetano, United Laboratories and Pagcor. Dr. Nilo Aventura led the medical team while Dr. Joyce Reyes headed the dental team.
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BY THE WAY… Birthday greetings this week go to — Babette Aquino Benoit, my friend in Paris; Chit Hechanova, columnist Ramon Tulfo, model Corey Wills, Nov. 22; Maridel Villavicencio of the Triple V family, Nov. 23; designer Joey Antonio, Nov. 24; Tony Lopez of BizAsia, Alex Orbeto, Consuelo Puyat Reyes, writer Marcia Rodriguez, adman Reli German, Sharon Fletcher Azanza, Nov. 25; former CID chief Edmundo Reyes, publicist Raquel Hizon, singer Randy Santiago, designers Jackie Aquino and Frederick Peralta, Evelyn Alvaran Cruz of Hair Asia, restaurateur Mitos Araneta of Alfredo’s, Timmy Cruz, David Siytangco, my godson, medical student Anthony Vijungco, my brother realtor Victorio "VV" Soliven… belated birthday greetings to Cecille Lardizabal of ABS–CBN (Nov. 16) and to my godson Marco Baluyut…. Condolences to Karen Macasaet on the death of her mom, Enriqueta Soriano, who passed away Thursday… Opening Nov. 26 is the first Bikram Yoga Studio on 15th floor, 88 corporate Center, 141 Valero corner Sedeño St. , Salcedo Village. Bikram Yoga, developed by Bikram Choudhury, is a challenging yoga series done in a heated room to detoxify the body through sweat…. Have a good week and SMILE!
