Believing in God’s plan and celebrating life’s blessings
“You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.” —Carl Jung
When we step into the arena of life, we are guaranteed to face trials, challenges, and judgments. But at the end of it all, what truly matters is learning from our failures, focusing on our inner and outer growth, and surrounding ourselves with family and people who genuinely love us.
As I do my night duty watching over my father Alex Prieto at St. Luke’s Medical Center, I am overwhelmed by the numerous well-wishers, prayers and kind words from the many who love my dad. I realize how many lives he has touched from all walks of life—from the caddies and ball boys in the local golf courses to his former classmates in De La Salle University. Poplex has always been the most generous and fun-loving friend and always so considerate. I have faith and believe in God’s divine plans for him and just pray during my shift.
Between my visits, I am still able to celebrate life and all the blessings received.
Silver anniversary
A day after our very successful Red Charity Gala, I attended the wedding anniversary of Czarina Ablaza-Syquia and her husband, Dr. Jofe Syquia, renowned orthopedic surgeon. This society couple celebrated their 25 years of marriage last Oct. 23, the exact day they tied the knot 25 years ago at the Santuario de San Antonio in Makati City. On her wedding day, Czarina wore a Ben Farrales gown.
For this silver anniversary, she wore a Steve de Leon creation and a diamond-and-cameo tiara set in 18k gold designed by her brother, avant-garde designer and jewelry specialist Jun Jun Ablaza. The couple was joined by their five lovely children, Alfonso, Agu, Azi, Amanu and Azia. The Catholic church service was done by the groom’s brother Fr. Jocis Syquia.
The reception party was held at the ballroom of the Manila Polo Club, again where they also held their reception 25 years earlier. This time around, they invited 250 guests to mark 25 years of blissful marriage. The décor was done by the team of Jun Jun, who transformed the ballroom into an affair of candles, pearls, feathers, and flowing silk. Attendees were dressed to the nines in their best gowns and suits and were fed by Asia’s best chef Margarita Forés. The couple added a surprise at the reception, and 25 lucky guests were given a piece of jewelry for attending and sharing in their joy.
My tablemates at the celebration were Nikki Tang and Mitch Garcia-Arce. We were all together a few weeks back at the “Teoxane Excellence Awards” night held at Marriott Manila.
Facial rejuvenation
DMark Beauty, a leader in the Philippine medical aesthetics industry, recently celebrated a night of brilliance and achievement to recognize the country’s top aesthetic practitioners, clinics, and innovators who continue to elevate the standards of beauty and wellness.
Over 30 awardees were honored for their exceptional contributions to the field, including the inaugural recipients of the Teoxane X DMark Beauty Champion Award. This accolade highlights practitioners and clinics excelling in the application of Teosyal fillers, transforming the landscape of medical aesthetics through their dedication and transformative results.
Nikki Tang, CEO of DMark Beauty, expressed her gratitude to and admiration for the community, stating, “Tonight celebrates the incredible passion, skill, and dedication of our aesthetic leaders who are shaping the future of beauty and wellness in the Philippines. It is an honor to recognize your hard work and outstanding results.”
A special highlight of the evening was a presentation by Dr. Sankeerth Reddy, a renowned expert flown in from Singapore, who provided insights into the latest advancements in Teoxane’s Glowing Lift treatment. Attendees gained valuable knowledge on the science behind this innovative approach to nonsurgical facial rejuvenation.
The event continued with an engaging forum featuring Philippine medical aesthetics experts such as Dr. Neil Oropeza, Dr. Sella Adasa, Dr. Cyril Agan, and Dr. Arnel Quiambao. Moderated by yours truly, the panel explored emerging trends and the evolving role of fillers in aesthetic medicine, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas.
For more information about Teoxane treatments, consult your doctor, and experience the transformative benefits of Teosyal fillers through DMark Beauty’s expertise.
Halloween ball
Since I canceled my Europe trip, I was happy to attend the country’s most awaited Halloween event, the Opulence Ball, where costumes are on a higher level of glitz and glam. Conceptualized by creative director, host, and entrepreneur Mond Gutierrez, the Opulence Ball welcomed guests from all over the world to join the festivities. With creative director and event specialist Ashleigh Rye, they worked together to bring to life the country’s first-of-its-kind Halloween ball that puts the spotlight on the Philippines as a premiere party destination with a thriving entertainment, fashion, and creative industry.
This year, the Opulence Ball welcomed guests to “The Velvet Underground,” which was inspired by the glitz, glamor, and allure of the ’70s, an era filled with hedonistic pursuits and individualistic expressions.
The Peninsula Manila’s Rigodon Ballroom was transformed into a truly opulent disco hall by Moss Manila, where guests were free to dance in their ’70s looks. Nicole Andersson, who was this year’s host, also served fierce vibes with her head-turning costume. A specially dedicated Discovery Room was also available for guests to take photos and try out products from the Opulence Ball sponsors, Kiko Milano, Belo, Don Julio, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Jewelmer, and Ploom.
The country’s most talked about personalities like Maris Racal, Kylie Verzosa, Ruffa Gutierrez, Richard Gutierrez, Barbie Imperial, Donny Pangilinan, Belle Mariano, Maymay Entrata, Rufa Mae Quinto, Elisse Joson, Dr. Vicki Belo, and Dr. Hayden Kho all came up with their best interpretations of ’70s glam with the help of the creative vision and talent of local designers and makeup artists. I was just happy to celebrate life in the most disco fashion ever!
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