Let's double the fun!

“Keep smiling – it takes 10 years off!” – Jane Birkin

Two pretty and business-minded women, Aida Cobankiat and Linda Yu, jointly celebrated their birthdays at the multi-awarded The Tivoli restaurant of the Mandarin Oriental, Manila. The Roxas Room was abloom with long-stemmed yellow American roses and giant pink lilies, which immensely pleased the birthday duo. For the special occasion, Remi Vercelli, executive sous chef of The Tivoli, prepared a special eight-course degustacion menu that was both appetizing to the eyes and the palate. To cap the exquisite meal, Roberto Molleman, executive pastry chef of The Tivoli presented Aida and Linda with uniquely designed cakes and served their guests a most unusual dessert—Tivoli Chocolate and Passion Fruit Surprise. For entertainment, a chef performed a selection of Italian songs and sang in baritone and tenor, much to the delight of the audience. Impressed with the ultra-efficient service, the two ladies also distributed Rustan’s, Coby’s, Laneige and Beabi gift packs to the Tivoli staff led by restaurant manager Anna Rint.

Cheers to you both, Aida and Linda!

A voyage to the pinnacle of art

Napoleon Bonaparte was right after all when he said that “a picture is worth a thousand words,” especially when three of the most admired Spanish artists gathered at the Total Gallery of the Alliance Française de Manille (AFM) in Makati for the Voyages art exhibit. Featured were the works of the lively raconteur Juvenal Sansó, the calm and always elegant Betsy Westendorp and the restless and ebullient Cesar Caballero. At the exhibit, guests were transported to the many travels of the artists all over the world.

Juvenal Sanso’s works presented vintage pieces dating from the 1950s and 1960s depicting scenes from his extensive travels in France, Spain and around Asia, including a painting of the famous Ati-Atihan in Cebu. Betsy Westendorp’s fascination with the Spanish countryside led her to the pieces she presented that showed the beauty of La Mancha, Hondarrubia, Guadalupe and Guipúzcoa. Cesar Caballero’s passion and restless imagination resulted in vivid and colorful artworks that showed his travel experiences in Spain, France and the Philippines. More than just an exhibit, it was truly a rich voyage through art, thanks to the ingenuity of the three artists. Congratulations for bringing art to a higher dimension!

Greetings

Happy birthday to our celebrator today, pediatrician Liaa Cojuangco-Bautista.

Advance birthday greetings to Bench boss Ben Chan, Aug. 27; designer Singapore Airlines charming Rita Dy, FCCP’s Cez Manalo, and De La Salle Zobel’s Joaquin “Chino” Rebano, Aug. 28; Oskar Atendido, businessman Ramon Cojuangco Jr., Michelle Tuason, and Ma-ys Rufino, Aug. 29; Rosita Fernandez and Eskaya’s Richard Lim, Aug. 30; Ramon “Eki” Cardenas and Philip Cruz, Aug 31.

So, how was your week?

(For comments or inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com)