The bar for elegant festivities and philanthropy was raised at the well-appointed affair that was the 2016 Philippine Tatler Ball.

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This particular Philippine Tatler Ball was marked with much anticipation and expectation. It was, after all, our 15th anniversary celebration and there was certainly a heap of blessings to be grateful for.

freinds having fun.jpgThe turnout of guests composed of individuals from the country’s top tiers in the business, social, and cultural fields was impressive to say the least. As always, the Tatler Ball guest list is held to a maximum of 450 people, all of whom are friends and supporters of our publishing house.

Tatler Ball 2016-261.jpgAubree White and Jamal Brown of Alvin Ailey's American Dance Theatre

IMG_0047.jpgBritish tenors Richard and Adam Johnson

The evening started with guests gathered for cocktails at the mezzanine level of the Makati Shangri-La. Chilled glasses of Moët & Chandon champagne were served along with a special Tatler Ball drink. Ladies, resplendent in ball gowns, some with trains flowing gracefully behind them, mingled with gentlemen who looked classically elegant in their tuxedos.

Soon it was time to move into the Rizal Ballroom, which has been the venue of the Tatler Ball since it started. The corridor leading to the ballroom had a lush canopy of blooms and greens hanging from the ceiling. The entire room was bathed in a flattering blue light with 300 Philippine Tatler signature scented candles casting a warm glow. Each table was decked with flowers, masterfully put together in three vases of varying heights by Mia Lozada of Bloomwoods.

A video featuring a brief look at this magazine’s 15 years was up first, shown on the extra wide panoramic screens that spanned the ballroom. My speech, as Philippine Tatler’s Managing Director, followed. I welcomed guests and thanked our gracious sponsors.

We are truly grateful for the trust and support of our major partners: the iconic Mercedes-Benz and the much admired telecom Globe Platinum. Our supporting partners for the evening were the banking power house HSBC Premier, the luxe purveyor Lucerne Group, and Jo Malone.

Mary Ann Aboitiz Arculli, Bambina Olivares, Anne Marie Saguil,bw Ian Giron.jpgSpecial thanks were in order to the Makati Shangri-La and its GM Alain Borgers for the sumptuous food that evening. This meal was paired with exquisite wines from Bacchus International; and for dessert and dancing, more Moët & Chandon champagne flowed.
IMG_0047.jpgWe then introduced our beneficiary for this Tatler Ball: patients with advanced stage breast cancer, to fund their chemotherapy treatments through The Philippine General Hospital’s Cancer Institute. A round of six chemo treatments cost Php 150,000 and we set out to raise Php 7,500,000. Tatler would make the initial donation of Php 750,000.

DSC_6994.jpgDinner followed with performances by dancers Jamal Brown and Aubree White of Alvin Ailey’s American Dance Theatre as well as Welsh classical singers Richard and Adam Johnson, finalists from the seventh season of Britain’s Got Talent.

IMG_0395bw.jpgThe Tatler Charity auction followed with amazing results for the auction lots. The first item on the block was Betsy Westendorp’s “At Peace,” a 59 x 48cm vintage oil-on-masonite painting. This was followed by a four-night stay at a private villa in Amanpulo for a group of eight adults and six children. The third lot was a unique JLC Reverso Classic watch with a black and white front dial, automatic movement, and a uniquely-designed case that hides secret treasures.

But the auction’s pièce de résistance was “The French Affair,” a deluxe two-night stay at the Palace Hotel in Paris and two round-trip business class tickets from Manila to London via Turkish Airlines. This particular lot also included a day-trip to the heart of the Champagne region, featuring a limousine ride to a tasting at Dom Perignon’s Abbaye de Hautvillers, lunch at Le Résidence de Trianon in Epernay, and a private tour of the cellars.

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We then arrived at the most awaited part of the evening: our Philippine Tatler Awards, honouring exemplary individuals for their much  admired qualities. Our 2016 Tatler Ball Awardees are former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert del Rosario (Diamond Award), Mercedes Zobel (Philanthropy Award), Dr Andrew L Tan (Icon of Business), the design tandem of Budji Layug and Royal Pineda (Most Creative Force), and Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi (Most Stylish Woman). Together with Karen Davila, our very own Anton San Diego hosted the awards ceremony while Tamara Lamunière and Dr Randy Francisco joined me onstage for the awarding.

IMG_0067.jpgInno Sotto

An evening cannot be called a Ball without the dancing that is an integral part of the festivities. Our guests danced for three hours to music from the 8 Track band and later to mixes spun by DJ Euric Lumanog. It was an unforgettable night that was made so easy to mount logistically because of the expertise of GBA Events Asia.

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As I write this, I am ecstatic to report that we raised a total of Php 11,659,500. This is the highest we have ever raised at a Tatler Ball—more reason to celebrate and be endlessly grateful for!

Photographers: Alex Van Hagen, Dindo Guttierrez, Ian Santos, Willy Saw,  Jasper Zarzuela