I recently bumped into gorgeous Margie Moran-Floirendo at the Establishment, where the Soulmates concert of Jay-R and Kyla  was being held. There, we discussed the most exciting event happening at the CCP this coming weekend.

Ballet enthusiasts will be treated to a performance of Don Quixote at the CCP Main Theater, as presented by Ballet Philippines, It opens tomorrow and will run until Sunday.  The Spanish Embassy and Instituto Cervantes has extended its all-out support for this most anticipated production.

Don Quixote will feature Ballet Philippines’ own heroes. Dancing the part of Kitri is Candice Adea,  who won the silver medal at the prestigious 2010 USA International Ballet Competition.Cast as Basilio  is Jean Marc Cordero, a semi-finalist at the USA IBC. The pair had performed the Don Quixote Grand Pas de Deux at the event.

Helping the dancers get ready for the performance is international ballet repertoire coach Ai-Gul Gaisina. “Don Q is one of those classics that will live forever. It is a fun story, it has music that is easy to listen to, and more importantly fun for the dancers to dance to,” she says. “Rarely does a ballet provide so much interesting work for the entire company. At the end of it all, everyone is engaged by the performance. Everyone has had fun!”

This is Gaisina’s first true visit to the Philippines. She stayed in Manila for just a few hours during her first trip here. “I have heard a lot about the dedication and work ethic of the dancers,” says she.  “My brief stay here is certainly going to be productive and worthwhile.”

The man from Argentina

Another first-time visitor to our country is the Argentinian polo player and the face of POLO Ralph Lauren, Nacho Figueras. I was invited by my dear friend Malu Francisco of Store Specialist Inc. to accompany her to the Aguirre Gold Cup to watch Nacho play polo.

Nacho is one of the world’s handsomest men, according to Oprah Winfrey. Last year, he and his wife Delfina Blaquier were included in Vanity Fair magazine's list of best dressed couples.

After the games, Nacho said with a smile, “It is my first time to be in the Philippines and I am loving this country. Although I wish we have won tonight.”

His team lost only two points to the opposing team.  This man from Argentina will be in the country for another week. He will be playing again at the Aguirre Gold Cup this Sunday.

Good news

CATS Motors has donated P1 million to Habitat for Humanity Philippines  to help support its youth initiative.  Habitat is raising funds to build homes for families in need. With its “a hand up, not a hand-out” program, the non-profit organization provides home beneficiaries (it prefers to call them home partners) a sense of dignity and pride by having them contribute their share of “sweat equity.” 

This simply means the home partner helps build the home he will live in.

Habitat offers a non-interest, affordable repayment scheme payable within  a 15 to  20 year time frame.