Picture-perfect party for Alex Van Hagen

When Alex Van Hagen celebrates his birthday, the city’s high society and top socio-civic leaders come trooping in for their beloved photographer. Alex is such a modern-day Mapplethorpe that the mere mention of his name sends images of hauntingly beautiful snapshots of faces and silhouettes.

Just recently, Manila’s most distinguished society movers found time together to compare notes and update one another on their most recent charitable ventures to help alleviate the plight of the less fortunate. And what better way to find the occasion to sort out all these things than to make Alex’s birthday, in a manner of speaking, the cause celebre of it all?

So troop they did to the mansion of Mely Concepcion Hechanova in North Forbes Park. Mely and Nene Leonor played the hostesses with the mostest and made the celebrant’s birthday party more memorable than past celebrations.

On hand were Mely’s beloved husband, business magnate Paeng Hechanova, and their daughter Renna H. Angeles to usher in guests led by Congresswoman Cynthia Villar and fashion plate Julita Villareal.

Guests who lent glamour and social relevance to the affair included Mely Ablaza, Lorna Quisimbing, Menchu Concepcion, Nini Licaros, Susan Laudico, Bobby Novenario, Naty Pappas, Helen Ong, Marietta Santos, Chit Salud, Evie Costa, Ernie and Fe Yu, Justa Tantoco, Olga Martel, Nene Casimiro, Tereret Liboro, Pitang Tiongson,Tessie Amparo, Marites Pineda, Cecile Limjoco, Letty Syquia, Celia Cuasay, Nini Valdes, Celine Bautista, Mabel Abano, Gilda Salonga, Fe Ng, Tessie Luz, Dandy Gomez, Nini Layug, Nena del Rosario, Carrie Bautista, Alice Briones, Chit Gohu, Henri Muzarrelli, Minnie Pertierra, Raul Manzano and Karen Santos. There were also society columnists Donnie Ramirez, Resty Vergara, Gilbert Perez and the ever supportive palangga Maurice Arcache.

Cheers, dear Alex!