The former Mireio Terrace of Raffles Makati was recently relaunched as Mistral, named after the forceful wind that blows in Provence, France signifying the coming of sunny weather.
Mistral Rooftop Bar, located at the 10th floor of the hotel, was launched with an exclusive party surrounded by the spectacular Makati City skyline. The bar’s logo of a man with his hat flying was also unveiled that evening.
(From left) Chris Juan, Cedie Vargas, Suzie Quiros, Monchet Olives and Ron Mabanag.
Mistral offers cocktails that perfectly match the Manila climate as well as a wide selection of wines, champagnes and spirits.
Drinks and cocktails were pouring the entire time during the event, including my favorite Moët & Chandon Imperial Ice, the champagne created to be specifically taken with ice cubes! There was also pass-around bar chow made by the Raffles Makati culinary team. The carving station of Jamon Iberico Bellota (aged Spanish ham from acorn-fed pigs) from Txanton was a big hit that evening DJ Agnes Macasaet provided the groove for the party.
(From left) Trickie Lopa, Mia Villanueva, Vicky Jalandoni, Joanna Duarte and Lisa Periquet.
(Mistral Rooftop Bar is open daily from 5 p.m. onwards. Happy hour is available from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Sunday. For information and reservations, call 795-0707 or e-mail mireio.makati@raffles.com.)
‘His eminence’
From Left: Elvira Araneta, Deanna Ongpin Recto and J. Anton Mendoza.
Manila’s art crowd recently feted the remarkable Martin “Sonny” Imperial Tinio Jr., the eminent authority on silver, ivory, furniture and religious icons. Many collectors and scholars in the country rely on his colorful opinion on a range of treasures. Tito Sonny is married to my aunt Jeannie Teehankee and I was the coin bearer during their wedding.
Recently, Jaime Ponce de Leon and Robbie Santos hosted the intimate dinner party at León Gallery’s elegant space, which was filled for the occasion with the works of masters, from National Artists Fernando Amorsolo and BenCab to Danilo Dalena.
(Seated, from left) Robbie Santos, Derek Flores, Tonico Manahan and Paulino Que; (standing) Luis Ojeda and Jaime Ponce de Leon.
Sonny’s grandfather is the legendary tactician of the Philippine-American War, Gen. Manuel Tinio. Gen. Tinio, known as the “Lion of the North,” would later become governor and one of the wealthiest men of Nueva Ecija.
(From left) Manny Dizon, Sonny Tinio, Addy Villegas Spinel, Jaime Ponce de Leon, Ina Dizon and Toto Gonzalez.
Sonny’s kilometric credentials include his influential consultancy at the Intramuros Administration at its historic inception. He was curator of Malacañang under President Fidel Ramos. He is also a renowned genealogist, foodie and a world traveler. He has created the interiors of the Baldomero Aguinaldo, Apolinario Mabini and Marcela Agoncillo shrines, as well as the Luna home in the north. He also restored the Villavicencio bahay na bato in Taal, Batangas, a mecca for students of architecture. Most recently, he was one of three principal curators of the newly opened Intramuros Museum.
(From left) Hetty Que, Sonny Tinio, Nikki Coseteng, Remy Chua Zuellig and Lisa Guerrero Nakpil.
During the intimate dinner, cultural consultant Lisa Guerrero Nakpil began a round of enthusiastic tributes to Sonny, which was taken up by the distinguished guests, including Gus Vibal, who specializes in the most collectible coffee-table books; Renaissance-man Jaime “Jimmy” Laya; former senator Nikki Coseteng, author Bambi Harper; and entertaining social raconteur Toto Gonzalez.
Of fine art & rare timepieces
An untitled 2019 painting by Jigger Cruz, oil on canvas, 54.5” x 42.5”.
Fine art, rare watches and investment-grade jewelry take center stage as Finale Auctions holds its back-to-back auctions this weekend, May 18 and 19, 2 p.m., at Finale Art File on Chino Roces Ave., Makati City.
The Fine Art auction offering on May 18 is a showcase of an intergenerational spectrum of works by sought-after artists like Jigger Cruz, known for abstract paintings where feelings are expressed on canvas by playing around his paintings with his own color comprehension; and Marina Cruz, with her sublime paintings of her family heirloom.
Glimpses of Philippine life are brought to light with pieces by National Artist Fernando Amorsolo and modernist master Mauro Malang Santos. Internationally renowned Filipino-American expressionist Alfonso Ossorio makes a strong showing alongside award-winning artist Rodel Tapaya, whose work is an amalgamation of folk narrative and the contemporary reality.
Bontoc Igorotes by Fernando Amorsolo, 1956, oil on canvas, 24” x 34”.
Works from artists Fernando Zobel, Romulo Olazo and National Artists Ang Kiukok, Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera and Arturo Luz are featured as well.
Leading the timepieces on offer at the Watches & Jewelry auction, which will be held on May 19, is the Rolex Daytona Reference 6239 Paul Newman Panda, the same model as actor and race car driver Paul Newman’s own watch that broke auction records in 2017 for the most expensive wristwatch ever sold at over $17 million.
To complement the outstanding timepieces, Finale Auctions will be presenting a broad range of jewelry items including investment-grade diamond and colored gemstone pieces in both modern and vintage variations. Highlights include a 6.89-carat intense yellow diamond dress ring, an internally flawless three-carat marquise diamond ring, and an arresting diamond and pink sapphire necklace.
The Finale Auctions Fine Art auction on May 18, 2 p.m., and the Watches & Jewelry auction on May 19, 2 p.m., will both be held at Finale Art File, Warehouse 17, La Fuerza Compound, 2241 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati. Preview is ongoing until today at Finale Art File.
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(For more information, e-mail fineart.finaleauctions@gmail.com or watches.jewelry@finaleauctions.com.)
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(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)