One glamorous affair

We attended recently the birthday celebration of Ian Fenton, a member of the Tower Club and Rotary Club of Manila and a businessman involved in property development in his homeland Australia. Ian married Marissa, whom he met the first day he came to Manila in 1995. Talk about destiny!

Ian is busy doing charity work for the Rotary and establishing a Chinese restaurant here in the Philippines, besides being a loving father to his only child, Jose Mari Ian. To mark Ian’s birthday, Marissa helped organized a glamorous cocktail event at the Makati Shangri-La’s elegant Cheval Blanc. The opulent hotel holds a very special place in the couple’s hearts, as this is where they first laid eyes on each other one fateful day seven years ago. Wine flowed generously at the glitzy celebration as the beautifully-dressed guests toasted to Ian’s long life. Among the well-wishers were knit queen Lulu Tan Gan, Jojo Zabarte, Maritess Limtong and Yoli Ayson, to name a few.

To Ian, here’s a toast to more delightful years ahead!

* * * And A Stylish Baptism

The Ablaza-Syquia families recently threw a glam baptismal celebration in honor of the new addition to their clan, Jose Alfonso Ablaza Syquia. Alfonso is the first child of Dr. Jose Corpus Syquia and Czarina Ablaza-Syquia.

None other than Alfonso’s uncle, Rev. Fr. Jose Francisco Syquia, christined the cute little boy at the Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, Makati. With a huge painting in the background depicting the baptism of Jesus, Fr. Syquia poured holy water on the boy’s head. The round font of holy water was fashioned from Romblon marble. Staring wide-eyed throughout the ritual, little Alfonso exhibited very good behavior! Plus, he looked as heartwarmingly adorable in a couture christening gown designed by one of his godparents, designer Ben Farrales.

Looking just as proud and happy as Alfonso’s parents were his grandparents: Ambassador Enrique Syquia and wife Letty, and Louie and Mellie Ablaza. Representing the Syquia clan were Tommy and Joanne. On the Ablaza side, there were Lambert, Cris, Nita, Malou and Sarah.

Aside from Ben Farrales, Alfonso’s godparents include Monique Zani, Marivic Tengco, Jun-jun Ablaza, Martin Syquia, Beth Syquia, Marc and Tessa Ablaza, Dave Alagar, Mae Anne Jamili, Chris Magno and Janelle Aldana.

A dinner-dance followed at the Ablaza residence, splendidly decorated by Czarina’s brother-designer Jun-jun. Seen at the reception were Andy and Tereret Liboro, Chit Gohu, Evie Costa and numerous members of the diplomatic corps: Netherlands Ambassador Theo Arnold, Italian Ambassador and Mrs. Umberto Colesanti, Portuguese Ambassador and Mrs. Joao Caetano da Silva, Mexican Ambassador and Mrs. Enrique Hubbard, Venezuelan Ambassador Carmen Lynam, Russian Ambassador and Mrs. Anatoli Khmelnitski, Czech Ambassador and Mrs. Stanislav Slavichy, and wife of the Nigerian Ambassador Madame Grace Inije.

At the end of the day, each guest happily carried home an image of the charming little boy, in silver picture frames given as souvenirs. To little Alfonso, a very warm welcome to the Christian world!