Maniolas

Ruffa Gutierrez (MNS Photo) Beauty queen-actress Ruffa Gutierrez denied that the foreigner she’s with in Tim Yap’s Instagram photos is already her boyfriend. Gutierrez said she and the guy in the photos, whom she identified as French-Israeli entrepreneur Jordan Mouyal, are still “getting to know each other.” “I met him in Manila. Mabait naman siya. He’s visiting me here now. So siguro lagi siyang nakikita,” she said. Contrary to rumors, Gutierrez clarified that she and Mouyal are not yet a couple. “He’s so private. He’s in the IT business, he has a company. Nandito siya ngayon for another week or so and then he goes back. [Walang label], kain-kain lang ng food kapag may time,” she said. Asked to comment on her mother, talent manager Annabelle Rama, who recently marked that her daughter wastes her money on younger guys, Gutierrez said, “Si mommy para lang may masabi siya minsan ‘di ba… Yung mga nail-link naman sa akin, that’s just puro tsismis.” In a previous interview, Gutierrez emphasized she is not “officially” dating anyone. However, Gutierrez, who is part of the Star Cinema movie “Maybe This Time,” said it is still her dream to walk down the aisle again one day. “Before kasi, ayoko na magpakasal talaga. Pero since ang daming nagpapakasal lately and every time na may nagpapakasal umiiyak ako, sabi ko, ‘Ay, I’m really a romantic at heart.’ So gusto ko talaga magpakasal ulit,” she told The Philippine Star. Gutierrez was previously married Turkish businessman Yilmaz Bektasin 2003. In Read More …

Joveno ‘Bing’ De La Vega is president and chair of Kalayaan 2014. LOS ANGELES – A page in our historical saga, and an epic of courage, valor and profound love of country, unfolds June 14, at the Westin Los Angeles Airport hotel when Kalayaan Incorporated hosts a cultural evening commemorating the 116thanniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. The theme this year: “Pagsunod sa Yapak ng mga Dakilang Pilipino, Tungo sa Malawakan at Permanenteng Pagbabago,” roughly: Following footsteps of great Filipinos, towards universal and permanent change. PH Senator Grace Poe will headline Southern California’s celebration of freedom day as the guest speaker. “She has been dubbed as the most respectful member of congress in the Philippines because she never fails to say ‘poe’ and ‘opoe,’” quipped Joveno ‘Bing’ De La Vega, president and overall chair of the gala. “She made election history by garnering the highest number of votes (20 million) in the May 2013 elections.  This overwhelming mandate,” he added, “must have inspired her to work hard towards her father’s unfulfilled dream of uplifting the lives of the Filipino people.” One of the first bills the senator filed is the institutionalization of a feeding program for public elementary and secondary schools (Sustansya sa Batang Pilipino Program). Sen. Poe grew up knowing actress Susan Roces and her husband, the late action film star Fernando Poe Jr., as her parents. Her father is also known by monickers ‘FPJ’ and ‘Da King,’ short for King of Philippine Movies. She’s married to Neil Llamanzares, Read More …

SM Woman the label takes a beautiful bow during Fashion Week. Photos by JOEY MENDOZA MANILA, Philippines – The show was all about branding — putting together several fashion labels of SM Store into just one label — SM Woman. And it was beautifully and powerfully done. Put together by  Fashion Week director Joey Espino and SM designer Tonichi Nocom, the show was refreshingly awesome, as it was done on a two-level stage using a mix of hydraulics and playful videos. Never a lull in the fast-paced and well-curated show that showed all-wearable clothes from casual to resort to career to evening wear. There were stylish basics with interesting twists, playful beachwear that can be mix-matched for city wear, clothes for the boardroom and after-office events, and modern cocktail ensembles and evening gowns. What made a lot of sense was that the clothes were for sale on racks, in the lobby right outside the SMX exhibition hall. People were buying like mad. The SM Store (another case of rebranding) is now amazing us with non-stop innovations,  bringing a sense of freshness and newness to this department store that has  for decades been so on the move and constantly evolving, we have forgotten that it started as a shoe store. SM is moving fast with more surprises. And to think we are still busy exploring SM Aura. And we are still excited about the new and wonderful SM Mega Fashion Hall.  —M.M.M.

Opening across the Philippines on June 11, Blended is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company.

Kipling’s has been around since 1999  and was always considered the best in town.   Many followed suit,  copying its formula, but failed along the way.  However,  all good things must end, and this favorite watering hole for connoisseurs finally bid goodbye to its loyal customers. Kipling’s soul was in the person of  Scottish-born managing directress Barbara Cumagun.   She made sure that patrons and friends would be able to share not only a glass of their favorite single malt whiskey or a couple of puffs of the best Cuban cigars but that there were numerous friendships that  bloomed and endured for all the years that Kipling was alive.   Charity events made this famed bar stand out because of the huge number of recipients who greatly benefited from the generosity of their clientele. The latest was when typhoon Yolanda hit fisherfolk  in the Visayas, who lost not only their livelihood but their precious boats, too. Kipling’s came to the rescue by immediately raising funds for 20 motorized bancas, financial assistance for rebuilding homes  and 40,000 nutritious food packs for victims in the devastated area.  If you see boats floating in that region named after exotic whiskies, you now know where they came from. As Barbara was called onstage, Captain’s Bar was quiet as she bade adieu, “Clients — that’s how you all started off, but after 15 years, you have become much more. The friendships that have been forged, the camaraderie we have shared is priceless.  Ups and downs, good and bad Read More …