Finding gold at The Met

The Metropolitan Museum of Manila (Met) exhibited for the first time the Hispano-Filipino Gold Collection of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) which consisted of gold pieces from the Spanish colonial period.

The Met has been tasked to preserve golden relics of Filipino culture and traditions as testament to our rich heritage. The exhibit is part of a series of programs geared towards promoting public consciousness regarding the BSP’s Gold Collection. The Met has held a National Gold Forum, an International Gold Forum and will be holding a jewelry competition soon.

The Mayi at The Met’s main feature was the exhibition of the rare gold collection of the Central Bank. Guests walked through the gold exhibit while enjoying a sampling of a Claude Tayag menu capped with the entrance of sorbeteros (ice cream vendors).

Bea Zobel Jr. and Ino Manalo presented The Met’s economic development program which advocates the promotion of creative industries and recognized ING, HSBC, Unilab and The Women’s Business Council – all have been supportive of the Met’s programs.

Among those present at the event were Luli Arroyo, Jaime Laya, National Artists Napoleon Abueva and Arturo Luz with wife Tessie, Rita Ledesma, Ramon Zaragoza, Opat Hermano, Cora Alviña, ING’s Maite Gallego, iBank’s Ramon Sy and wife Josie, HSBC’s Warner Manning, Pacqui and Susie Ortigas, Louie and Mellie Ablaza, Jul and Cenen Dizon, Albert Garcia, Joel Uichico, Sabsy Palanca, Lilian Linsangan, Patis and Tito Tesoro, Ado Escudero, Pitoy Moreno, Bobby Mañosa, Maribel Ongpin, Christina Belton and Lulu Tan Gan. The committee members of Mayi at the Met are Ollie Campos, Pilie Aquino, Marivic Vasquez, Manny Miñana, Tina Paterno and Raul Manzano.

Happy birthday, Al!

Businessman Al Tengco celebrated his birthday at the beautiful place of architect and interior designer Gerry Contreras. Al’s charming wife Carla welcomed guests for heavy cocktails and drinks.

Appetizers included delectable olive balls (olives baked in dough), salmon roll and a double layer caviar pie prepared by Sigalit Djemal. Via Mare prepared an oyster bar, sesame seared tuna sashimi and a pasta bar. Hai Shin Lou (892-5148) was responsible for the hearty dim sum which I was eating the entire night. An adorable (and really delicious) cake in the form of a large Hermés box, complete with its signature brown ribbon with a tag greeting Al, was done by cake expert Marta Matute (0917-5207265).

Guests clearly had a great time enjoying the food and drinks. Seen at the scene were Choy and Marissa Cojuangco, Iñigo and Maricris Zobel, Ed and Menchu Soriano, Bito and Menchu Mantecon, Mikey and Lizette Cojuangco, Mari and Le Lagdameo, Sabin and Betina Aboitiz, Chickee and Rene Banzon, Maurice Arcache, Chito Melo, Louie Ysmael, Ting Feliciano and Maricris Vasquez Prada.

The party, as expected, lasted late. Just goes to show that Al and Carla really know how to throw a party that everyone enjoyed!

Happy birthday, Al!

The best of science and beauty

High-tech science met artistic vision at M Café as Lancome’s latest skincare product, Blanc Expert NeuroWhite, was launched. The product, exclusively sold in Asia, is the first to target both environmental and emotional causes of melanin production and promises luminous skin in just three days as well as erase stubborn spots in four weeks.

Photographers Raymund Isaac, Pat Dy, Xander Angeles, Jo Ann Bitagcol and Victor Consunji exhibited their own vision of "radiant beauty" by photographing some of Manila’s most beautiful women. Their subjects were Mariko Jacinto, Anna Palabyab, Marta Araneta, Anna Cu-Unjieng and Jackie Cohen-Antonio.

Seen enjoying the exhibit were Ianne Evangelista, Agoo Bengzon, L’Oreal’s managing director David Ennes and Luxury GM Vicky Encarnacion, Mariel Chua, Rene Barbier’s Francis Oliva, Vicky Montenegro, Rose Montenegro, Louele Soong, Vicky Tensuan, Star’s Celine Lopez, ETC’s Sam Oh, Rachel Lobangco, Ria Romero, and the Lancome team of Sobee Duenas, Zerl Chan, Apple Morales with chief makeup artist Abbygale Arenas-de Leon. Rene Barbier white wine and Freixenet sparkling wine flowed freely as guests enjoyed the leisurely afternoon.

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