Fashion fever

Seventh High, Manila’s newest nightspot, is starting to become one of Manila’s hot fashion hubs. The club has been hosting a weekly series of fashion events in support of local designers and the fashion-forward attitude of the country.

Recently, designers, both rising and established, were featured to showcase their collections in a night entitled Glimmer Thursdays. Five designers graced Seventh High’s club. M Barretto kicked it off with a collection of blacks, reds and blues for both men and women. It was followed by a triple birthday fashion show by Cherry Veric, Julius Tarog and Anthony Cesar, where all three designers exhibited a fashion show. Junjun Ablaza also showcased the best of his Wild Things collection, a mind-blowing mixture of leather, metals and feathers.

With the roaring success of the fashion events, industry names started lining up to mount a show at the club. The Fashion Design Alliance (FADAL) unveiled a unique photo exhibit showcasing two of the alliance’s talents, Seven Barretto and accessory line Miadore by Yekky Balingit. Odelon Simpao’s collection of men and women’s evening ensembles were also showcased. Stylist Shahani Gania also celebrated his birthday at Seventh High.

As a new entertainment hub, Seventh High has really molded itself into a choice venue. A lot more can be expected from this boutique nightspot. Watch out for even bigger things to come.

The collection of Julius Tarog.

Foodies celebrate Tanabata Festival

Fun, fare and food overflowed when Ordre Mondial Des Gourmets Degustateurs, a wines and spirits club, held the fourth BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) Kaiseki Dinner at Umu restaurant in Dusit Thani Hotel. Only an exclusive number of people were accommodated in the by-invitation-only event.

This year’s Kaiseki Dinner was inspired by the Tanabata Festival that commemorates the meeting of Altair and Vega, two stars that only cross on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar once every year. In celebration of the event, the group prepared a sumptuous and opulent Japanese buffet. Chef Hiro Fukata, former resident chef of the past three Japanese ambassadors to Manila and current Japanese chef of Dusit Thani, took charge of the banquet.

The menu included Japanese dishes such as wagyu misozuke (grilled wagyu marinated with miso paste), niyu men (ebi, shiitake, furi yuzu, kinusaya, tamago soumen) and sakekasu ice cream and goma tofu, azuki with green tea sauce.

Harry Tambuatco, Celine Le Niendre and lawyer Mike Toledo.

Others spotted that evening were IMF head Dennis Botman, Gene Gonzalez and Conrado Calalang.

Still under the Webber

A month after its staging at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber is still being talked about.

Memorable, too, was when Citi treated its business partners, clients and industry colleagues to the show.

Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco and Ines Cabarrus.

Prior to the start of Webber’s successful 13-show run, Citibank cardholders enjoyed an exclusive 10 percent discount on ticket prices. This is Citi’s second participation with a musical show/revue after the successful run of Cats last year.

On hand to welcome guests were Citi country officer for the Philippines Sanjiv Vohra together with consumer markets head Sergio Zanatti. Vohra said, “We are celebrating not just the work of a great musical composer but most especially our long-standing relationships with our valued clients and partners. We feel privileged that they have graced our event with their presence.”

The audience was delighted by the cast’s performances of excerpts from Webber’s shows such as Cats, Evita, The Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar and Sunset Boulevard with giant LED screens setting the backdrop for each of the performances.

Vohra added, “This is truly a night to remember and a perfect way to say thank you to those who have put their trust and confidence in Citi.”

Citi country officer Sanjiv Vohra (right) with BSP Gov. Amando Tetangco Jr. and wife Elvira.