I've been YAPped!

It's official. 7 pm, 12 July 2007, Balmori function room of The Peninsula Manila. They were 20 of them and although some couldn't make it, I have made up my mind. I have decided to adopt the entire YAP clan as my second family. According to the internet, my Chinese name is Ning Kun Deng. Now all I need is to learn the language because after all, there's about 30 of them here in Manila and there's just me.




That's exactly what happened on my "Dad's" birthday. They were all there to celebrate his 70th and what a joyous evening it was. FELIPE YAP looked extremely happy having his family around all wearing red. It was perfect for me because I LOVE red so I wore my red and white skirt from Zara.


My new best friend, Dancing Alex who got all the green plastic leaf-like garnishing of the sushi and stuffed it all in her bag. What she plans to do with them? I have no idea.



Now, you might be wondering what a Flipper like me was doing in a Chinese get together but it was legit, I was invited and my freeloading mode was shut down. As I entered the room, the table setting was beautiful. Steffanie Chong, events manager, used a wide table to make room for lovely flower arrangements done by Marilyn Go. Candles were lit and fine crystal and silverware were eyecandies on thier own.


Now check out the food and just try to imagine how delicious each one is. Boy, I am sure you envy me just about now.

Sushi platter consisting of tamago, salmon, tuna, california maki and crabstick sushi. This is actually enough to make my tummy happy.


Fresh lobsters, crab legs and prawns. I am always up for some aphrodisiac. Yum!


Cheese, parma ham, eggplant and zucchini platter made sure that our appetite was heightened to the max.


Braised Salmon with shitake mushroom and asparagus in champagne sauce.


This is my favorite dish for the evening. Only set back about it is, it is best to eat it with rice. I stayed away from carbohydrates in rice but opted to get it from desserts instead. (HAHAHA!)
North Indian Curry Murgh Makhani


Baked Ravioli


The piece de resistance. Tender and juicy roast beef carving that melts in your mouth but stays in the thighs and belly. DARN, making this blog is making me hungry!


Had enough? Well there's more. Everyone was standing around the buffet table just chowing down the tortilla chips with 4 kinds of dip namely, tomato salsa, salmon dip, cheese and guacamole. It seemed out of place from all the other kinds of dishes but it was the best seller.


The sweet corner was made up of cheesecake, mango panacotta, chocolate truffles and creme brulee served with coffee and/or tea. Perfect way to end the evening right? Well, there's one more thing.


After dinner, "dad" called everyone's attention and started calling out names and he gave each one what is called angpao. A red chinese designed envelop that contains good luck money that you are not supposed to use (I say, good luck to ME!) Ok, for my friends who are not familiar with this tradition, it is when an elder (grandparents, parents) who's celebrating their birthdays, Christmas and New Year gives out these envelopes to their children, nieces, nephews and grandkids. Now, going back to my point, after all the good food, ambiance and great company, may I be blunt and say that being given angpao is the best dessert I have ever had.



We had Renzo, son of Lawrence and Christine, to entertain us with his harmonica and funny antiks. A photo of a happy and good looking family.


After 35 years of marriage, Uncle Paulino and Aunte Pacita proves that love can remain strong.


Enjoying the evening were Brian, Cassey, Cindy, Clark, Auntie Lily, Aunti Pacita, Christine and my "mom", Mama Emma.




Family photo of the young generation.


The *YAPpers (hihi).


And the *YAPpies (haha).


By the way, my freeloader switch was on again when Christine gave all the left over dessert and a flower arrangement for me to take home. Hihi..Thanks Christine! And to my new adopted "dad,"

QU NI SHENG ER KUAI LE!!!



The Peninsula Manila
(632)8123456
www.peninsula.com

It's so ZARAp!!! (Part 2)

Now for the good stuff. The food, drinks and my friends at the ZARA event at Rockwell.

The Peninsula catered the show handled by no other than the greatest Events Manager, Stephanie Chong. Truffle filled with icecream served on a bed of crushed ice, pecan tarts (my favorite), Camembert cheese on Italian cracker with fig, parma ham wrapped in Old Manila grissini sticks and other delicious treats were served alongside the overflowing glasses of champagne and orange juice. The outcome? 3 pounds and an inch at the waist. THANKS a LOT Steffie.




The fountain was transforned into a stage and the DJ's playground. White drapes hung on the ceiling that created a tent-like enclosure. Playful colors of lights played around against the white cloth that matched the chairs that were sprawled out on the floor area. BEEAAUUTIFUL work. I told Steffie that I had to get Sunday Alcaraz, who was also responsible for the set up of the fashion show, to do my future events but I was told that he is exclusive to Store Specialists, Inc. How snobby!!! Now, I want to hire him even more! BRAVO Sunday!




White lit up balls were scattered everywhere and added a real modern touch to the whole set up. They had this cutest ice bucket that I have ever seen. When I get married, I would totally have this on my gift list that one of you MUST get for me. Deal? DEAL!!!


Outside, about 15 drummers were doing their act and was amazing how they can coordinate with one another despite all the other noise around them. They were all in white and danced as they beat their assorted percussions. Another must for me to make note of for my future parties.

Good friends, talent scout-Pia Campos, Miss Earth 2005-Priscilla Meirelles and Annabelle Chavez of Naturalizer were around to enjoy the evening.


One of the best make-up artist in the country, Mr. Patrick Roxas, who is sooooo slim now poses with yours truly, his new cover girl for his upcoming book (Hihihihi, I wish).


Ok, now for a promise that I made to a friend...here goes:


The beautiful, talented, funny, SINGLE model/actress Wilma Doesnt was there to grace the occasion. She was all smile and ever so gracious as she posed for me and my overused red Sony Cybershot. Wilma Does-it again! ( I am sure she gets that a lot)

So to those who care to know that I say about this experience of mine, do the ff:

1. Hold a party
2. Hire Sunday to set it up, if you dare (he's exclusive remember?)
3. Get Steffie to cater (just don't do it on a Sunday, that's her dog day)
4. Go to Zara and buy a great outfit
5. Invite Wilma for a guaranteed good time (Wholesome fun lang, silly!)

ZARA
Rockwell, Glorietta, Shangri-la
Mall of Asia, among others...

The Peninsula Manila
Stephanie Chong
(632) 8123456
www.peninsula.com
stephaniechong@peninsula.com

It's so ZARAp!!! (Part 1)

I have two words for this event. Super delish!

Because there's so many photos that I took, I have to do 2 separate blogs for this 1 event. There was just so much eyecandy that I need to share with you peeps. I honestly do not know where to start so I will go with my gutt feeling and tell you first about the fashion show, my 3rd this week alone. I am all runwalked out.

Event: Zara's preview of the new collection
Venue: Powerplant, Rockwell
Date: April 26, 2007

The set up, AMAZING. All white, huge, more than life version of photo frames and vanity table, rotating platform elevated for all to see, even those seated in the back. Because the Rockwell tent was full, I had no choice but to remain standing near the front which I really did not mind because I was able to take better photos. See, that's how dedicated I am to entertain and update my millions of avid readers.




I didn't pay much attention to the clothes because I know I can always go to the store and check them out more closely. I was focusing more on getting a good photo of this hunk of a model that everyone was going gaga about. Whenever he would stop to pose, a lot of the girls would literally scream with delight. He knew he was handsome because he would totally flirt with the audience by showing a great big smile. I have to admit, he was gooood looking. Obviously not a Flipper, he must be Brazilian or some kind of god that the Greeks failed to identify.




There were super cute kids that modelled as well. They were so adorable and a lot of oooohhhs and aaahhhhs could be heard a mile away when they would come out of the backstage. These mostly came from the parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts, cousins, classmates, neighbors, yayas and the drivers that each kid had brought along. There was this kid that stood out because he knew how to work the crowd. I thought he was the cutest as well until I chanced upon him outside the tent. Steffie and I greeted and congratulated him for a job well done and his reply to us was an exxagerated,

"WHOOOO ARE YOU PEOPLE???" (shaking his head as he says this)

Ok, in my book, this cute boy turned out to be Chucky's long lost little brother. He was the biggest brat I have ever encountered. I wanted to reply to him with an even more exxagerated,

"You messing with me boy? You want some of this? Chill with a sleeping pill."

But of course all I could do is give him and his mom my fakest smile I could make.




The store remained open till late to accommodate late night shoppers and I saw these 2 shirts that were cute but I would never wear. So no need to get these for me (yeah, you know who you are). Don't worry, when I find things that I want, I will make sure to write a very long and detailed blog about it. (wink wink)




There was a party after the show but that's a whole new story. Watch out for it.


Now, I gotta get this brat's name so that I can reunite him with his brother.