Wednesday, September 10, 2014

The magic goes on and on for the 8th Star Magic Ball

Do I still have to say how amazing this year’s Star Magic Ball was? Do I even have to note how overwhelming it was to gather the country’s 300 hottest celebrities in one building, particularly a lavish one like the Makati Shangri-La Hotel? Do I even have to mention how much fun I had on the night of September 6th?

Now on its 8th year, the Star Magic Ball still never ceases to amaze me. It is pure magic how these stars come together on this annual ball, looking like gods and goddesses.

Everyone was dressed to the nines in their Hollywood Glam outfits. Although I must say, Julia Barretto in a silver number from Rajo Laurel was the one who stood out most. Amazingly, she was later on named the night’s Best Dressed, together with Paulo Avelino who looked real dapper in Dolce & Gabbana.

Another special award was given to John Lloyd Cruz and his girlfriend Angelica Panganiban for Couple of the Night.

The Moët & Chandon Fabulous Pair Award went to on-screen partners Piolo Pascual and Iza Calzado. While sponsor O+ USA named showbiz royalties Gretchen Barretto and Richard Gomez as the O+ Stars of the Night.


BFF Angelette Calero

ABS-CBN chairman Gabby Lopez and ABS-CBN president Charo Santos-Concio in Balenciaga

Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares and husband Neil

Senator Sonny Angara and wife Tootsy in Rajo Laurel

Heart Evangelista in Francis Libiran and Senator Chiz Escudero

Gretchen Barretto in Jojie Lloren and Richard Gomez in Randy Ortiz

Dawn Zulueta in Balenciaga and husband Congressman Anton Lagdameo Jr.

My favorite Enchong Dee in Calvin Klein and girlfriend Sam Lewis in Rhett Eala

Piolo Pascual in Hugo Boss and Iza Calzado in Vania Romoff

Xian Lim in Francis Libiran and Kim Chiu in Pepsi Herrera

Gerald Anderson in Dolce and Gabbana and Maja Salvador in Ivarluski Aseron

Kathryn Bernardo in Albert Andrada and Daniel Padilla in Edwin Tan

Liza Soberano in Edwin Tan and Enrique Gil in Pepsi Herrera

Kim Jones in Jun Escario and Jericho Rosales in Dolce and Gabbana

Couple Maricar Reyes and Richard Poon both in Francis Libiran

Yeng Constantino in Martin Bautista and boyfriend Yan Asuncion

Siblings Vanessa and Daniel Matsunaga both in Francis Libiran

Bea Alonzo in Pronovias

Julia Montes in Pepsi Herrera

Erich Gonzales in Leo Almodal

Julia Barretto in Rajo Laurel

2013 Miss World Megan Young in Leo Almodal

Shaina Magdayao in Boom Sason

Empress in Pepsi Herrera

Jodi Sta. Maria in Joey Samson

Vina Morales in Escada

Alex Gonzaga in Pepsi Herrera

Jane Oineza in Leo Almodal

Bangs Garcia in Grace Ong

Denise Laurel in Rajo Laurel

Gretchen Fullido in Francis Libiran

Georgina Wilson in Balmain

Another super favorite Joseph Marco in Joey Samson

Coco Martin in St. Laurent

Sam Milby in Hugo Boss

Paulo Avelino in Dolce and Gabbana

Matteo Guidicelli in Kenzo

Raphael Robes in Joey Samson

Miko Raval in Randy Ortiz

Best Dressed Paulo Avelino and Julia Barretto

O+ Stars of the Night Richard Gomez and Gretchen Barretto awarded by O+ Brand Ambassador Joseph Marco

Moët & Chandon Fabulous Pair Iza Calzado and Piolo Pascual awarded by Randy Uson, Brand Development Manager (far left) and Trina Ching Ramos, Marketing Manager of Moët Hennessy Philippines, Inc. (far right)

Couple of the Night Angelica Panganiban and John Lloyd Cruz

See you next year! Congratulations Star Magic, Mr. M, Mariole and of course, the brain Keren!

Friday, September 05, 2014

Masseto

Because you're so fine, so fine! That's how Bruno Mars sings about his treasure!  But in the world of going out, fine dining is becoming rarer and rarer, and so when we were invited by Chef Tippi Tambunting to dinner at Masseto, we were thrilled.

We didn't have to order or match the wines, she did all the hard work for us, and we just had to sit down and enjoy. Each course just was more delicious than the last, and so from the appetizers to the two stars of the night, the duck confit and the short ribs, we were in culinary heaven.

M is for marvelous!

The set up



Cute presentation

Can't get enough of this one!

They taste as good as they look!


Fine wine!


My favorite Enchong Dee with Marissa

We moved next door to Bar M, and though we skipped on the signature cocktails, we feasted on the salted caramel and butter ice cream (as elegantly sublime as ice cream can be!), and hazelnut and chocolate tart. This was fine dining, yes, but hearty, satisfying and unpretentious!

Chef Tippi's young nephew Luca even impressed us with his proficiency in Mandarin and superbusy Chinito Enchong and still in "Red" character Joseph Marco were even able to join us and have a much needed break from premieres, shooting, taping and red carpet duties.


Cozy, cozy


With Marissa and my favorite Joseph Marco

Angelette, Chef Tippi and Marissa

Fun night with Ralby, Angelette, Chef Tippi and Marissa

We are already starting to miss Masseto and Bar M!