Call it an alignment of the stars, but a charity dinner at the Lanson Place, Mall of Asia—the new jewel of SM Hotels & Convention Centers—became the serendipitous occasion to bring together both celebratory and serious matters.
On one hand, you had the “Make It Iconic” global campaign of France, and the 2023 French Film Festival having just launched with SM Supermalls as its new partner. Then, there was the second year of giving distinctions to Filipinos who had undergone French education, and subsequently excelled in their fields.
As French Ambassador Marie Fontanel welcomed the evening’s guest of honor, French actress and director Emmanuelle Béart, she segued to how it was so appropriate that Béart’s documentary tackled the shrouded subject of incest.
Co-presenter for the dinner was French NGO Cameleon Association, that operates out of Iloilo as a shelter for young women and children victimized by sexual violence. The call was made to support Cameleon; as after 26 years, it’s ironic that the bulk of financial support still comes from French donors.
