Magic by Charriol

It was a night when superlatives were easy to come by – and "magical" was, perhaps, the easiest of them all.

Which is hardly surprising when one considers that this night of myriad delights was a stylishly slick collaboration of the savvy instincts of the mother-and-son tandem of Store Specialists, Inc. president Nedy Tantoco and executive vice president, Anton Huang, and the joie de vivre of the suave Frenchman Philippe Charriol and his designer daughter Coralie (with his chic wife Annick, playing a supporting role, too).

We are talking about the "Magical Colours of Charriol World" – the gala dinner fashion show held at the Makati Shangri-La to launch a new line of leather handbags designed by Coralie Charriol, and the 2002 collection of Charriol watches and jewelry.

The Rizal Ballroom was transformed with a billowy white canopy into something straight out of Arabian Nights – with an Italian touch added by the Venetian carnival figures dangling from its roof. It was sheer, joyous theater – and the magicians, mime artists, stilt-walkers and fire acrobats who were out and about doing their thing enhanced the theme.

Cleverly woven into all this fun and gaiety was the presentation of the six leather handbags – and Charriol would not be Charriol if they were not in brave and exuberant colors.

The food was pure ambrosia by Makati Shangri-La’s new American executive chef Chris Romine, the best they had ever dined on in a hotel ballroom, in the Philippines, said many discerning guests.

Welcoming guests with a characteristic twinkle in his eyes was Ambassador Dr. Bienvenido Tantoco, chairman of the Rustan Group of Companies. At 81, Ambassador Tantoco shows no sign of letting up on his fast-paced lifestyle. Having just arrived from Morocco, he was off, soon after the affair on more business trips, first to Los Angeles and then across the Atlantic to Finland.

Guests were led by Arthur Macapagal and his charming wife Mariter, Senate President Frank Drilon, Senate Majority Floor Leader Loren Legarda-Leviste (inarguably the most stylish lawmaker in the land) and Senator Jun Magsaysay.

Speaker Joe de Venecia was represented by his wife Gina. Socialite Rose Marie "Baby" Arenas was shielding questions as to whether she was bringing in hip-hot Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli for a September date in Manila. Baby was coyly diverting the queries to Italy’s engaging Ambassador Umberto Colesanti and his charming wife Clara.