Jardin des Tuileries (Photo by EVELYN ALVARAN-CRUZ)

They say life has loveliness to sell, all beautiful and splendid things, but who will whisk me away to Paris in a hot air balloon to wine me, dine me and…

I did not wait for that special someone to do so. I just did it myself, six times, and no hot air balloon ride for me, yet.  I went to Paris, the City of Love, for the sixth time this year, on the invitation of Brahm Timmer and Luc Marquet of L’Oreal Philippines to be part of the Philippine delegation to celebrate L’Oreal’s 100 years.

The Philippine delegation also included Charisse Hernandez , Pauline Juan of Preview Magazine, Alex Carbonell and Paolo of Bench Fix Salon, Les and Dina Reyes with their daughters Teng Roma and Lourd Ramos of Emphasis Salon, Andrea and Anton Zulueta of Piandre Salon, Lorna Sandoval of David’s Salon, Phillip Tordjman, Ino Amoyo, Raul Barrios, Jade Mercado, Zernan Olandez, Edwin Sales, and Edwin Samot.

We arrived in Paris early morning of Saturday, June 6, a day early to catch up on some rest before the three-day series of events. But of course, who would want to rest when you’re in the most romantic city in the world.

The weather was surprisingly cool but it would take more than the light rain to dampen our spirits. After taking just a few moments to settle in at Bedford Hotel, we hit the streets to see the sights.

We visited Coco Chanel’s opulent four-storey apartment at 31 Rue Cambon, and scoured the fabulous boutiques of Hermès in Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Louis Vuitton along Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

We picked up on more sightseeing the next day, and indulged in a romantic cruise in Bateaux Parisiens. We concluded our Sunday morning with a sumptuous lunch at 58 Tour Eiffel on the 1st floor of the Eiffel Tower while enjoying the breathtaking view of Paris. By mid-afternoon, we were back at Bedford to get ready for evening cocktails at Jardin des Tuileries in Rue Royale where we met other attendees from all over the world for the first time.

The next two days at the Jardin des Tuileries and Le Zenith were a whirl of activities – incredible workshops, shows, and an impressive line-up of guest artists like Trevor Sorbie, Angelo Seminara, Aldo Copolla and Jean-Luc Minetti of Alexandre de Paris.

I have had the good fortune to watch countless performing hair artists from all over the world. Unlike the many others who make full use of body movements to enhance their interpretations, Mr. Aldo Coppola only mesmerized his audience with his hands – like the fluid hands of a master-conductor commanding his orchestra as it creates the most beautiful of symphonies.

The three-day event was over much too soon and culminated with a Gala Dinner and a wonderful night of dancing at the Grand Palais. Wine was overflowing and fresh peonies in various colors cascaded on every table-top. The ballroom was splendidly adorned in pink, black, and white (the motif for the affair), and the changing colors of the domed ceiling and magnificent chandeliers overhead added to the magical quality that the night had taken on.

The night was all the more unforgettable when I got the chance to personally meet Aldo Coppola who had enthralled us all during his performance the day before. The experience of being in such close proximity to Mr. Coppola was unbelievable. Whoever said business and pleasure don’t mix?

And then, there was Place Vandome, the ever fragrant area in Paris near the Ritz Hotel where you can buy branded and exquisite pieces of jewelry that any visitor ought to see. It gives off such a divine smell that one realizes that indeed, it was in France that the first Eau de Parfums and Eau de Toilettes were made.

As the city beckons, I will return to Paris in October. A biento!