A Year Older in Old Manila.

It is always a sweet gesture when your honey throws a surprise party for you. I think that the effort to choose the menu, invite all your dearest friends and make sure that no one spills the beans is a tough job.

In this case, my hero is CYT who organized the birthday party for LT last Saturday at Old Manila. It was dark and cozy when I arrived. The lights were dimmed and people were sort of whispering. It was fun and exciting while waiting for the celebrant to arrive.

And when he finally did, how shocked he was that all his close friends were there to celebrate his birthday. He looked so happy and grateful to everyone that was present, especially to his wife who handled it all for him.

The food was taken cared of by Stephanie Chong, events manager of the Peninsula and everyone was very vocal about how good it was. I liked the desserts most. (wink wink)

To LT, thank you for being born and for marrying CYT. If you hadn't, we would have missed a truly great evening of good company, plenty laughs and delicious food.

The real reason to party.

H A P P Y   B I R T H D A Y!!!!!!

Sharon's Night Out.

Sharon Chong, the reason for my going home at 3 am on a weekday.



We started the evening with dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Duo in Serendra. We were 8 girls and had one rose within the thorns, SJ who happens to be my drinking buddy. As you would know, being with 8 girls can be pretty intimidating. All that yacking and nagging made SJ take on a dare by eating a slice of bread with mash potatoes, glob of butter mixed with a spoonful of rice as topping. Talk about carbo loading. Here's a photo of what you should never ever eat without a doctor on stand by.


At Duo, Stephanie, Cat, Margaret and SJ. My bad for failing to take a photo of late comers, Janina and Dorothy.

Add Marivi and yours truly to the group.

Margaret and SJ.

After dinner, we headed towards Cuisine to start the party rolling but the main destination for the evening was my usual hang out place, Martinis where Sharon, the newest member of the group was officially sworn in last Wednesday. I believe that if you go to Martinis twice within 2 weeks (especially since she is only here in Manila for a total of 3) you are considered part of the Happy Drinking Gang. This girl knows how to party. She keeps an eagle eye out for handsome guys and makes sure I do the dirty work and make an effort to get him to our table. To Paolo, Assistant Manager of Martinis, you are the winner for the night.

At Cuisine.



One our way to Martinis, because we only had 1 car available, 8 of us had to squeeze in my car (5 in the back, 3 in front). Thank goodness there was not a Dubai odor experience!


At Martinis.



When our drinks came, the table reminded me of a real life FACEBOOK application, Booze Mail or Happy Hour. Check out all that happy liquid!

To Sharon, CHEERS!

My Belated Bday Gift!

My favorite bar in the Philippines, Martinis at the Mandarin Oriental, was the place to be last night. After shopping and dinner with friends Stephanie and Sharon Chong, we headed towards the only night spot that I feel most comfortable in. It was crowded, as usual, but luckily, Javi was able to get us a lounge. Salamat Javi! He's really a sweetheart.

Anyway, I was once promised by my friend, Resident Manager of MO, Knuth Kiefer that as my bday gift, he would give me a couple of glasses of martini. Little did I know that he was going to be the one to prepare it himself. Upon seeing me, he stood up, took off his coat and proceeded to go behind the bar to do something that apparently, he does very well. Take note, his concoction is not available in the menu.

I am not sure what he put in my drink but it was sooooo delicious that of course, if you know me, I gulped it down like it was water. My second drink was sent over to our table and it was another mix of something equally marvelous. This time, I took my time and enjoyed it fully.

By the time I was on my last sip, my face was hot and I knew it was time to go home. :) Even if it was a short night out, (it was Wednesday after all), I had a super time with good friends, perfect ambiance, free drinks and a great guy who prepared and had given it to me.










Cheers to you Knuth and Belated happy birthday to me!



http://www.mandarinoriental.com/
http://www.mandarinoriental.com/manila/

Metro Society Boogies on Down with Motown!

Event: Metro Society
Venue: EDSA Shangri-la Hotel
Date and Time: October 5, 2007, 8 pm
Sponsors: HSBC Premier, EDSA Shangri-la Hotel, Samsung

It was fun. I have been to quite a number of events just these past weeks and I was tired of the same old thing. This party was rocking. Motown was the theme and people really took time to dress for the occasion with afro wigs, bell bottoms, psychedelic printed clothes and baby doll dresses.

There was a show where Drag Divas performed songs (lip sync) of Tina Turner, Supremes and music from the movie Dream Girls. After that, it was on to the dancing floor to a mix of 60's to 80's music. Celebrities such as Dawn Zulueta, Carmi Martin, Diether Ocampo (my crush) and others whom I probably did not see was there to see the action.




The spread was a mixture of Filipino, Japanese and Chinese cocktail food. Pork sate, dimsum, siopao, spring rolls, sushi and roast beef carving fed the Motown babies. There were drinks to make us all happy but most of all, it's the company that made this event fun. Check it out!






And now the guests...Anton, Leah and Steffie.

Ferdie and your bloggerina.

Puey, Dennis and Jojie cutting the rug with their dancing skills.

My GM, David Batchelor and super lovely wife, Marilu. By the way, for those who know DB, I made him dance a bit. I know, I am so proud of myself. What an accomplishment.

Hotties!

Diether and I in a very tight embrace....(haha, yeah right, I wish!)

Mia Borromeo, Steffie Chong with yours truly.

Emi Jorge and Xeng Zulueta.

Steffie, Leah, Puey and Bench model.

My drinking buddy introduced me to Margarita with salt on the rim. I used to hate this drink but now, it's kinda nice. Thanks SJ for taking my alcohol intake to a new level.

A cool lounge outside the ballroom, Steffie and SJ resting their feet.

SJ, SC and CD.

EDSA Shang's RM, Ms. Vanessa Suatengco looking marvelous.

Christopher Chia who amazed me with his friendly attitude. Most hotel guys are stuck up. (hihi)

Lorraine Belmonte, Steffanie Chong and Puey Quinones.

Food and Beverage Director of EDSA Shang, Mr. Markus Christ.

Tessa in a red feathery get up and me loving all the RED!

Cutie and JM.

Larry Le Viste went all out with his costume...or is this his daily outfit?

Louie Cruz totally stood out!


Another event done. Now, with the Holidays approaching, 2,000,001 more to go!