Gala Dinner and Auction

It was supposed to be a black tie event but not all of the men strictly followed the dress code at the Fabulous Gala Dinner . Some wore Barong Tagalog. There were dozens of men who were in casual clothes or short sleeves polo.

The party was not very formal. Johnny Litton was the emcee. It was more like a family affair. Everybody knew everybody. The last part became a little chaotic because every family, individual, couple who were either in the book or in the crowd were called to the front for picture taking.

A mini auction was held for the benefit of the victims of Yolanda.

This painting by Betsy Westendorp was pulled out of the auction. But after half-hour, Atty. Puno told me he was able to acquire it for a good price of P190,000.

Mrs. Tantoco of Rustan’s was the winning bidder (P250,000) of this National Artist Arturo Luz’s acrylic on canvass. She had a photo taken with the painting and with the artist himself. That’s the best authentication according to Johnny.
My seatmate was nanghihinayang, sana daw nagbid sya for this.

I participated on the bid for this watercolor painting done by H.R.H. The Duchess of Calabria who donated this to help the typhoon victims. She’s a close friend of Betsy Westendorp. I raised my hand and thought I would win but the owner of Solar Entertainment, Wilson Tieng, topped my bid by an additional P10,000.

I was waiting for this painting but they didn’t auction it, biglang nawala. Baka someone negotiated na lang. It’s by Betsy Westendorp. The artist was there too at the gala dinner and photo exhibit.

ECY, Brig. Gen. Rolly Anonuevo, Atty. Marievic Anonuevo, OMB, Atty. Lorna Patajo-Kapunan, Jimmy Regalario

FVR was the guest of honor and speaker and he stayed till the end. Mas inantok pa kami. He has a stamina of a 40 year old person. Nakatuwaan nya yung one young lady. While he was in front giving his speech, he held her hand, kaya she couldn’t leave. She was just there in front, beside the podium while FVR was speaking. Then at the end of his speech, he beso-beso her 4x. He was only joking but my lawyer friends, Lorna and Marievic, did not find it funny.

I ate two pieces of soft bread kasi I was starving.

I ate the small scoop of ice cream and a little bit of the under crust of the cake.

I was the last to be called kasi letter Y. When Johnny called out my name, I stood up and walked very fast. Johnny said “Slower, Annie, slower”.

Johnny is one humble, unassuming person despite his social status and popularity, and very hardworking too. One would think that at his age, he would slow down, but no. His calendar is fully booked till next year.
He told the audience that a week ago, Rupert asked him if it’s just right to cancel the event, but he advised against it. Johnny said if all of us would cancel our parties, the restaurants and hotels would lose money, people would lose their jobs, the economy would be affected. It would also be another calamity. He has a point.

I was very thankful to my guests who stayed and waited until I told them “Let’s go”. Ang bait nila. Atty. Kapunan, asked me “So, pwede na?” Meaning, kung pwede na sila umuwi. She’s so funny. She and her sweetheart Jimmy were very patient the whole time and so were Brig. Gen. Rolly Anonuevo and wife Atty. Marievic Anonuevo.