Gracie's birthday

What a lovely lovely dinner that was! Both the meal AND the company, most specially the latter. Mario K. of Bulgari hosted a very intimate birthday dinner for dear GGG of Star. And Gracie invited just a very intimate group of 11...to make up a lucky total of 13! There was Mattias AA the resident manager of the hotel, Audie G famous thespian, singer and director, Beth of Univ. Motors, her mom Helen, Arthur Y of Ace S. and wife Marie, businessman Russ A. -- whom I've known for the longest time, from a million persona changes ago hehehe -- the very famous ENT doctor Jimmy S. looking all dapper in his gelled hair and double breasted suit (Luis and I have been to him a few times for Luis' sinusitis), a young Paco something who's related to the Delgados and Magsaysays, and a Richmond something - very shy and quiet. And me of course. We were in one round table beautifully decorated by none other than Robert B, with candles and flowers that made me feel like I was peering at the other guests thru some enchanted forest. I was seated between two young (and newly wed!!) fathers -- very very personable Mattias (typical hotelier!) who had a 3-month old baby waiting for him at home, and shy Richmond with the preggy wife and year old baby - whatta guy. But early part of the evening (before he left due to another appointment) it was R who was beside me, who according to Gracie, is in a 'together but not together' status. interesting. Jimmy the doctor is in his third marriage, although he says he's just been married twice. interesting too. The conversation was great, but the highlight of the evening was when we were able to coerce Audie to sing for us!! Mattias had the string quartet called in from the lobby, and they accompanied Audie as he sang a very very lovely and enchanting rendition of "If ever I would leave you"....my god, I wanted to die, that happens to be one of my favorite movie songs, and I told him so. Never mind if I've never experienced winter, spring, summer and autumn like Queen Guinevere and Sir Lancelot did, I have no idea what the writer meant as he went through all those seasons, but I truly truly love that song and its powerful emotions. ESPECIALLY the way Audie sang it. hehehe. new idol. Audie. As I said, the conversation was great, never a dull moment. The meal was simply fabulous. Main course was a choice between Red Snapper and Lamb. I chose lamb of course. We broke up at about 11 all happy and content.... Oh I almost forgot - all this happened at Mi Piace, the italian resto of the hotel.

Two evenings before (Thursday March 22) was the cocktail / fashion show event we organized for our Greenbelt 4 customers...it was...well, so so... show was ok. We had all those Brazilian models we chose from the go-see. Of course I got chastised by Glenn Gale of Manila Times about our being partial to foreign models..told me it was very very unfair to the local models...that something should be done...that the modelling industry should regulate the sudden influx of foreign models who are taking jobs away from the locals. that we the clients should choose more locals over foreign, something like a 80:20 ratio..oh well. what can I say. . I think he also spoke to Anton about it.

Here's a pic of me with my team - Corinne and May Anne - during the evening... We all had to wear white as it was supposed to be in keeping with the launch of our Spring Summer Collection. boy I do believe I look rather ....mmm..healthy. ok FAT. I think it's coz the jpeg file got stretched a bit. yes maybe thats why. :)