Onwards and ‘Tim Yap-wards’

MANILA, Philippines - The excitement started as soon as you received the 24-inch long invitation designed by Mye and Norman Cruz of Adworks, with a single logo — a combination of TY — the initials of the birthday boy Tim Yap. The theme? “Prints and the Evolution.”

On the day of Tim’s birthday, the event (a collaboration between the birthday boy and IT party planner Barbie Pardo) started with a sunset cocktail reception at the garden lobby of the Gramercy where lit up bars served your choice of two drinks: Upwards, an espresso martini and Onwards, an apricotini mixed especially by top London-based mixologist Rod Eslamieh. Golden arrows on the floor would point to the next phase of the party. Upwards for dinner. Guests were escorted by models dressed in Leeroy New wearable art installations. Yes, the same ones worn by Lady Gaga in her Marry The Night music video.

Upwards was the theme of the party, and 71 floors up, the guests were all ushered into Tim’s newest venture in dining and nightlife, 71 Gramercy. The venue, which has the most spectacular view that Manila has seen, was filled with arrows pointing upwards, from curtains to placemats and coasters, everything was indeed print on print on print, and pointing upwards. 

The photo wall was a tribute to Tim’s years as paparazzi, taking pictures of people and promoting parties. “I started out taking pictures of all of you, giving out fliers outside clubs when i wasn’t even allowed to go inside. And now we are all together here, celebrating another year of gratitude. Thank you for the friendship,” said the birthday boy Tim Yap.

71 floors up

The entire 71 Gramercy was filled with golden balloons with black ribbons cascading from the ceiling beautifully executed by Trish Panlilio of Papillo. TY logo mania topiaries in fiery red with arrows pointing upwards designed by Mia Cabawatan-Lozada of Bloomwoods also filled the party space.

Celebrity chef Carlo Miguel served a six-course degustacion to the gustatory delight of all the guests. Every course was highlighted by a speech by Tim’s mentors in life, followed by a shot of premium tequila Casa Noble for everyone. Sultry Cara Manglapus serenaded the celebrant and his guests with her own brand of soulful jazz while director Freddie Santos, Peninsula GM Sonja Vodusek and designer Rajo Laurel all talked about the things about Tim that not many people know about. BFF and partner Tessa Prieto-Valdes hosted the short program. 

The guests were then led to the lounge where the band Sub Projekt played dance hits and Tim blew the candle on his 7 feet tall cake, pointing upwards, of course, by Penk Ching of Pastry Bin. Giveaways were baby bottles of Casa Noble with Tim Yap branded shot glasses, bags from Versace and tokens from Colehaan. Tim also produced with top DJ producer Funk Avy a limited-edition double disc 2014 music compilation — Upwards (dinner music) and Onwards (party music) that guests got to take home.

Tim’s strength is in bringing people together. That’s why the guests — a mix of the hottest people from diverse industries — from “it” girls to ambassadors, CEOs to celebrities and pop culture influencers were fully present to celebrate with Tim. The hosts then pointed upwards towards the sky, where the guests (and the entire city for that matter) were treated to a 10 minute FILA fireworks display (a gift from FILA’s Cris Albert to her best friend) lit the midnight sky. The party lasted till sunrise. 

Some people thought it was Chinese New Year.

Close. It was Tim Yap’s birthday.