Neri: People

INGRID Sala Santamaria takes centerstage at a piano concert on Sept. 7 at the Grand Ballroom of Marco Polo Plaza to celebrate 50 years of music. She will play two concertos: Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 in e minor, Op.11, and Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No. 1 in g minor, Op.25. Performing with her is the Peace Philharmonic Phil Chamber Quintet composed of Marc Mercado and Reynaldo Abellana, violins; Christian Abaiz, clarinet; Ariel Perez, bassoon; and Christopher Manus, bass.

50 YEARS OF MUSIC. Pianist Ingrid Sala Santamaria (fourth from left) who celebrates 50 years of music this year and dinner host Irma Atillo (third from left) with the PPP String Quartet (from left) Rey Abellana, Kit Manus, Francis Balo and Marc Hamlet Mercado.

More photos here:

The multi-awarded Ingrid is the founding chair of the Salvador & Pilar Sala Foundation Inc., which spearheaded a 10-year music development program for young Cebuano music talents. She also launched the Cebu Youth Symphony Orchestra which has now evolved into the Peace Philharmonic Philippines (PPP).

For tickets and inquiries, please call Marco Polo Plaza at 2531111 local 8249 or 09158912197, or the Arts Council Cebu at 2330452.

***

Managing editor of ZEE Lifestyle Magazine Katsy Borromeo announces the mag’s latest undertaking—a designer bazaar called Zee Fashion Finds (ZFF) to be held at the Rizal Library Ballroom from Sept. 5-7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. She says, "Zee Fashion Finds is a collaborative effort of Zee Lifestyle Magazine and the Wicked Sisters to benefit the Rizal Library Building and the Beautiful Cebu Movement (BCM) Foundation. Since the curated closet is all the rage now, you can de-clutter your closets, sell or donate items to ZFF and proceeds can go to either a foundation of your choice or the BCM. Or you just go and shop guilt-free, knowing that proceeds will do your preferred charity some good.”

***

Two pretty young ladies, Selina Romualdez, marketing manager of Rustan Supercenters Inc., and PR consultant Jaja Rama of BigSeed played lunch hosts to media friends at the Yum Yum Tree of Rustan’s Banawa at Paseo Arcenas on the day of its relaunching.

The supermarket has expanded to 1500 sq. meters of retail space, and as typical of Rustan’s supermarkets, it has a wide choice of local and imported products of the finest quality. The fresh section boasts of the choicest cuts of meat and poultry, fresh seafood, and freshly picked produce. Great deals and discounts were the come-ons during the re-opening.

***

Zonta Club of Cebu 1 president Lucille Colina celebrated her birthday with a gathering of Zontians at the beautiful new hilltop home husband Vic built for her in Maria Luisa Park. A few days later, the couple played dinner host to another group of close friends to “shoot the breeze” and enjoy the view of serene mountains and still valleys from their balcony.

***

On the other hand, it was a birthday lunch for Cookie Newman hosted by good friend Helen Uytengsu at her spacious and well-appointed abode in Sto. Niño Village.

Colleagues from the media were all there to greet Cookie who had her two daughters Pia and Diane dancing attendance on her.

***

Mini reunions were the order of the day when Theresians from near and far came for the annual St. Theresa’s Alumnae Homecoming. The big day was the last Saturday of July but the “old girls” came way before then. There was Dr. Rosario Padilla Ceniza from the USA who was honoree at a luncheon at the home of Millie Avila.

Ruby jubilarian Dymphna Urgello Ybañez from California came three weeks early with daughter Gabrielle and grandson Aiden so she could spend time showing them (both are US-born and bred) the land of her birth before outings,lunches and dinners with classmates would be on her sked.

College golden jubilarians Belen Guerrero Gardella from Washington State and Cherrie Famador Tupaz from Quezon City had a good time with former classmates as they made the rounds of interesting places from Cordova to Balamban, thanks to tireless organizer Norma Songfo Borromeo.