From the mirror ball above to the nik-nik shirts, from the bell- bottom pants and aviator sunglasses sported by the invitees, band members and dancers, to the special CD souvenir that contained all of Louie’s fave songs from that famous era, the spirit of the ’70s was definitely alive that evening.
The party started with Prime Council band performing cool Crossover tunes, palanggas, like Promises, Still A Friend and Don’t You Worry About A Thing. They were followed by new band Q&A who rendered ’70s retro music including a medley of hits from great artists such as Motown, Frankie Valli, Earth, Wind and Fire and Donna Summer that kept the baby-boomers shaking their booties on the floor all night.
Celebrity invitees and pals belted out songs, palanggas, including the super talented Louie Ocampo and his band. Goddess of Songs, world-class Lani Misalucha jammed to the upbeat tunes of Last Dance and Never Can Say Goodbye. The fantastic Queen of Soul Jaya performed the R&B tunes Better Days, Love Dance and Do You Love Me. Her irrepressible mom Elizabeth Ramsey brought the house down with her hilarious asides while singing Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and Portrait of My Love. Seasoned performer Ding Mercado did his bit by singing The Harder I Try. Side A lead vocalist Joey Generoso had the crowd swaying their hips and arms with his version of Rock With You. Highlighting the show, Concert King Martin Nievera cajoled Louie and Chuchi to join him onstage and jam to one of Louie’s fave tunes, The Harder I Try.
A big surprise for our Golden Man was seeing his high school and college buddies Boy Unson; Nonong Santillan; Jojo Lee; Celso Villegas; Rani Mallari; and Boyet Dominguez; plus, pals like Captain John Warren; Captain Mike Scott; and Patrick de Borja who jetted in from the US of A, purposely for the grand celebration.
Seen in the huge crowd, palanggas, were concert director Rowell Santiago; first-rate talent managers Wyngard Tracy and Ronnie Henares; Side A’s Kelly Bado; Crossover Presents’ genius musical director Gerard Salonga; members of vocal group The Opera; gorgeous actress Joyce Jimenez; and eye-catching Dulce Lucban.
Louie’s beautiful wife, Chuchi, dahlings, wore a chic ’70s outfit. Louie’s sister, the adorable and workasonic mega SVP for marketing of Crossover, our palangga Saripaz Villar-Tan and his super nice children Rochelle and husband Miguel, Tricia and Ysa, painstakingly put together the ’70s-inspired birthday bash.
The rest of Louie’s famille like his vivacious mom Doña Charing Rojas-Villar, sisters and brothers-in-law Malu and Willie Chipeco, Christine Villar-Pineda, Elaine Villar-Rivilla, Saripaz’s well-liked hubby Peter Tan and Karen and Glen Fuentebella, plus his nieces and nephews table-hopped to ensure that all the invitees had a ball.
They sure did, palanggas.
Voila! The event was an eclectic mix of the classic and trendy, opulent and simple, colorful and subdued, but all beautiful and meant to ease a couple’s preparations for their wedding.
"Robinsons Place Iloilo is giving prospective bridal couples a fuss and hustle- free way of preparing for their once-in-a-lifetime special day," Ditas T. said enthusiastically moments before the exhibit opened. The exhibitors transformed the Fountain Area into a floral and booth display.
Snipping the ceremonial ribbon, palanggas, were the fashion designers-exhibitors, the Dean of them all, Pancho Uytiempo; Cathy Ebrada; Roy Sesbreño; Angie Borja-Ragus; Jacqueline Alcantara-Peñalosa; Tess Salvador; Claire Jarantilla; and Jasmine Castelo.
Pancho Uytiempo, an artist, danseur and couturier rolled into one, gave a short message about the fair. He explained that couples should start their married life right by choosing wedding authorities. "There’s no better place to make your wedding dream come true than here," he stressed.
His classic designs gave a flashback of the still-can’t-be-beat Kahirup’s Grand Balls. His attention to detail was excellent with intricate beadwork and elaborate embroidery.
Vivacious Cathy Ebrada showcased pristine white creations inspired by fairies using a minimalistic approach.
Roy Sesbreño’s creations, palanggas, were luxurious. He used yards and yards of tulle, gossamer, duchese satin organza which he accented with boa feathers, intricate beadwork and elaborate embroidery. His brides wore white, cream and aqua.
Like Uytiempo, Angie Borja-Ragus opted for classic lines, heavy beadwork and embroidery, and skirts with long trains.
Kayumanggi Designs’ Jacqueline Alcantara-Peñalosa’s gowns were subduedly elegant. She preferred off-white and pastel for her brides.
Tess Salvador went Filipiniana, using piña, jusi and hablon with heavy embroidery.
The most colorful collection was that of Claire Jarantilla, dahlings. The young designer presented a simple bustier white gown with a train. Her bridesmaids’ gowns were more elaborate, done in pink and fuchsia with pastel accents. A style definitely all her own.
London-trained Jasmine Castelo’s gowns were lady-like and avant-garde at the same time. She accented them with bows and ribbons, heavy beadings and exotic bird plumes.
A yummy brunch-cocktail was given to the exhibitors and special guests at the gazebo specially constructed for the occasion by wood-master-architect par excellence Edgar Lopez-Suelo of Tablon. The gazebo served as the area for free advice and consultations from the designers who came everyday.
On hand to make the fair a success, palanggas, were the jewelry of Karat World and Just Watch; the Wines of Robinsons Supermarket; moi favorite hotel to this day, Amigo Hotel Iloilo; Photography of Light Tops Studio; Mandarin Court; Grandiflora Flowershop; Cakeworks; and Light of Glory Car Services.
And to help turn ladies into radiant brides, beauty makeovers were held during the duration of the fair.
Logo Asia’s mega general manager, workasonic Sebastien Saracchi and super dedicated Raj Advani, general manager of CP Optics, unveiled the brand’s foremost collection, Reflex and Physics.
Typified by lightweight aluminum, titanium and magnesium held by rubber composite in the temple tips and nose pads, shock and scratch resistant polycarbonate lenses, and a great design, TAG Heuer’s Reflex and Physics eyewear lines test the limits of today’s technology. Designed by multi-awarded industrial designer, Ross Lovegrove of the Audi TT and Apple I-Mac frame, comfort, sculptural beauty and functionality are the end products of the integrated design.
First worn by some of the country’s beautiful sports buffs and faces, palanggas, like basketball player Miguel Noble of the Alaska team; wakeboarder, supermodel and TV persona Amanda Griffin; and world-class speedstar Jojo Silverio, TAG Heuer Sports Vision’s frames fit athletes who lust for speed and action.
Internationally- renowned TAG Heuer is the official eyewear supplier of the Oracle Racing Team. The comfort, strength and function of its timepieces match the challenges of the ocean terrain.
Golfer Nick Dougherty and F-1 racer Jacques Villanueva complete the roster of TAG Heuer’s highly accomplished ambassadors. Now, how’s that for namedropping, palanggas?
On its newest venture, TAG Heuer bears the same fantastic formula that has made it last for 142 years– innovation, unfailing function and luxury.
TAG Heuer Sports Vision, palanggas, is exclusively distributed by CP Optics and is available in all fine optical outlets.
Check it out and wear one of the best brands in watches and sunglasses.
Please drive sober and safely, palanggas. Remember that speed kills! Have a great weekend.
See you!