Nobody Does it Like BELLA!

A dinner for me and Dennis? But why? What did I do to deserve this? I am trying to recall if I offered a lamb to the gods lately or if I saved someone's life recently or if I just donated my kidney to someone who needs it. I MUST have done something really good to be invited, much more, honored, with a dinner by none other than Ms. Bella Yuchengco and her daughter, Sunshine Puey at their home last May 1.

Let me just say.....to Steffie, Lucille, Anne and Markus, who couldn't/didn't accept my invitation to join me and Dennis, you are now officially a LOSER! You may add this missed opportunity as one of your TOP TEN list of

THINGS I REGRET NOT GOING TO IN THIS LIFETIME. 

I have been to a dinner hosted by Madame Bella before when she cooked Chinese cuisine because it is my dad's favorite. I was supposed to blog about that but if you remember, my computer died on me and I lost all the photos. (sniff sniff). Boy, that dinner was something else as well!

But this dinner was something I would drop everything for. PQ picked Marivi and I up and with the day being a holiday, the traffic was flowing and we were able to reach the gate of Ayala Alabang at exactly 7 pm. We were so proud that we were on time. Hard thing to do if you know me and PQ. Anyway, perhaps because we were so hungry....we lost our way. Left, right, reverse and U-turn, we did it all the road signs for a good 38 minutes.

The distance, the getting lost and the hunger was worth every second once we entered the home of the Yuchengco's.

THE MENU


THE GUESTS


James Reyes, Jojie Lloren and Puey Quinones.


Boboy and Kiek and Sunshine Puey.


Marivi Abueg, Srdjan Mendoza, Madame Bella Yuchengco, your bloggerina and Dennis Lustico.

THE SET UP


Kaiseki is the height of Japanese cuisine combining an appreciation for the changing seasons with true artistry.

One meal can consist of as many as 15 different courses, featuring sashimi, tempura, fish and meat dishes and tofu prepared in diverse traditional styles and designed to please all the senses.

Miss Belle prepared for us a six-course menu that consisted only of top quality meats and seafood. She even printed out a menu card! You can really see how much time and effort she and her staff prepared for this dinner. Add 10 interesting people with all their own stories to tell on the table and you get one truly memorable evening.

It was a bit noisy with all the chit chat but when the first course was laid to the table, ALL FELL SILENT. It was as if God pressed the mute button on us. It was like, the food commanded our full concentration. Every bite was not rushed. Each flavor exploding in our mouths. It was so much better than any 5 star restaurant that I have ever been to.

To Bella and Sunshine, my utmost gratitude for your hospitality, generosity and most importantly, thank you for the most valued gift that I got from you, your friendship.

To my readers, start envying....

Course 1





Course 2


Course 3, my ultimate favorite!!!!



Course 4


Course 5


Course 6, dessert and tea.



The beautiful and soon to be wife, Sunshine Puey giving us the story about how her mom became such a great cook. Apparently, Ms. Bella did not even know how to boil water as a young woman. Boy, after that dinner, she just proves to us all that it is never too late to learn how to do something and how to do it real well. Come to think about it, I believe that she perfected the art of fine dining in terms of preparation, presentation and sensation.

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!

Rouge, the New Collection.

It was an unforgettable shoot that the team went through. It was at the Janilo Beach Resort owned by production manager, Srdjan Mendoza. It took them 2 days for 20 layouts using 1 model under the scorching heat of Lian, Batangas. Photographer Charles Lu with the help of stylist, Michael Salientes achieved the wonderful photos for Rouge's newest collection. Ria Bolivar, one of Philippine's top model was professional enough to handle 10 make up changes done by Gina Ilanto as hair was perfected by Brenda. The 48 hour shoot was produced by Sarah Ross and assisted by Irvin Fua, Diane Quinones, Jay Chan and Maria Paredes. Designer Puey Quinones made sure that each dress was laid out with utmost care and detail.











For orders and inquiries, please visit www.thecolourred.com