Portraitist Rupert presents a copy of the coffee table book to Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco and Nedy Tantoco.

The quintessential exhibit and coffee table book launch, “Faaabvlous” was recently mounted at the Gallery of The Peninsula Manila by international award-winning portraitist Rupert Jacinto.  It was an evening of dazzling portraiture, attended by the country’s high-powered glitterati.  Presented in partnership with the Advertising Foundation of the Philippines, the event was in support of Fr. Jun Sescon’s “Love-A-Parish” Program of Sto. Niño de Paz, Greenbelt Chapel, which supports needy churches throughout the country.

Prolific designer Jun Jun Ablaza created a cocktail and unveiling area, with the exhibit proper covered through the use of fur-lined velvet curtains, accentuated with towering black lamps. As an added flair, Jun Jun opted for boa feathers, in lieu of the traditional ribbon-cutting, which had: Jonathan Crook, GM of The Peninsula Manila, Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco, Nedy Tantoco, Betsy Westendorp, Dee Zobel, Loida Lewis, Linda Gamboa and The Lady H. Ball. With fanfare, the unveiling of the coffee table book came next, as the shades were lifted to reveal a large photo of the book cover with the photograph of society doyenne, Imelda Cojuangco. The second unveiling revealed, to admirable sighs, the timeless portraits of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Imelda Marcos, among others.

The main curtains were drawn to reveal the awesome display of one hundred mural photographs which lined the stretch of the Gallery. Designed by Rey Ortiz, the installation, which took two days and nights, was an incredible feat, considering that not one nail was hammered into the Peninsula walls.  Program Producer Noel Maximo presented a video of Rupert’s past works, including a video message from Dewi Sukarno sent in from Japan. Key sponsors were The Peninsula Manila, Hewlett Packard, Flawless, Titania Wines, MaxiOne and RJ 100.  By popular acclaim, “Faaabvlous 2” shall return next year with its new theme, ‘Grace and Royalty: Portraits of a Lifetime.’