Party leap of faith

Aleap year only comes once every four years. And considering the frequency of mass uprising, so do step-down presidential rallies. But perhaps more uplifting and definitely more productive than the great congregation on Ayala Avenue was the artist’s benefit born from the lingerie empire of the eminent Josie Natori, Filipina fashion heroine to the global trend herds. Last leap year had Manila’s triple A-listers flock to the Shang to pay their respects to Natori’s new frock.

The afternoon of the leap year saw me outside my AIM campus, where in between classes, I found myself face to face with ZTE fire starter Jun Lozada, with only a glass door separating us from each other. After class, I tuned in to TV Patrol where I caught sight of the mass fractionists, aerial view at that, which caused me to be slightly panic-stricken by the immensity of the crowds that had gathered. Later on while driving towards Ayala, the smoke billowed and the roads were clear, save for a whole row of passenger jeepneys on the road to hoard the rallyists.

At the Makati Shang ballroom benefit to raise funds for the Filipino artist, there was no sight and even no talk about the mass action that had just happened outside. Instead, an auction (which would benefit the Asian Cultural Council and Asia Society Foundations) took place in between cultural presentations that highlighted our ethnic origins — it was refreshing to witness a newfound appreciation for national artistry. I was seated at the Nokia table sandwiched between Nikka Abes and scene chronicler Glenn Gale as we viewed the auction cards for priceless items such as Nokia phones and cruises to exotic destinations.

To the outsider, frivolity in the face of revolt may seem distasteful, but really, if it upholds Filipino artistry in the global arena, then we’re calling for a step-up in terms of events that push and promote design dynamism and nationalism, benefiting the country much more.

Kudos to my role model magnate Doris Ho for putting such a fete together!

Uptown Downtown

The next day, I hopscotched my way between uptown to downtown peninsulares. The occasion? The birthday parties of sought after terminal bachelors Ricky Delgado and scuba shutterbug Gutsy Tuason.

Both were arranged by YStyle’s Celine Lopez, for these two men who are so close to Celini’s heart that she didn’t mind the commute between Makati’s polar ends (wow, so far!) just to make the birthday boys feel special. Ricky’s actual birthday is March 19 (everybody, don’t forget to greet Manila’s Most Eligible) so this celebration is actually very much in advance.

From there I jumped to a double celebration — one a bridal shower, and another, a birthday party. Roslyn Reyes of Sony Asia based in Hong Kong started the countdown to bid singlehood bye bye, as she gets married to her love at the end of this month. Mari Litonjua, Motorola’s tireless mobilizer, also turned a new leaf with a new ‘do worthy of a RAZR 2. (How’s that for plugging?) Of course, the scene’s most voluble supporters were in full force at Embassy VIP to toast to the birthday boy’s natal point.

I’ve been blessed to have so many guiding stars in my life, and one of the most infuential has been director Freddie Santos, who showed me the beauty of incongruity. “For if everything was so planned out, then why was I born on a date that defies the calendar norm?” Well at least for Freddie, his birthday celebrations come only once in four years.

Lunchtime during the leap year, I made sure to teleport to Teatrino in Promenade, Greenhills where leap year lord Freddie Santos had prepared a feast of wrapped goodies. To quell our curiosity, Freddie explained why such wrapping was necessary. In a manner similar to what a messiah (with James Earl Jones’s voice, of course) would have told his disciple, he whispered, “In whatever package life comes to you, may you always find something delightful and delicious inside to enjoy.”

Now that kind of advice certainly doesn’t come once every four years.