MEDIUM RARE

For bon vivant Benjie Yap, the throngs of faithful devotees of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo massing at the Luneta for the Traslacion at the fringes of Manila Hotel have always been an extra blessing on his birthday, Jan. 8, whatever the year. It may be also a test of his friends’ loyalty, that despite the traffic caused by the closure of certain city roads leading to the hotel, they’re there to greet him, break bread, and promise, “See you next year!”

Benjie’s theme this year, one month before the entry of the Year of the Dragon, was “Somewhere in Time,” suggesting a dress code reminiscent of the turn of the century. Thus did Tingting Cojuangco, gowned Maria Clara style, walk away with best dressed honors, just as Marivic Vazquez’ gown was the cynosure of all eyes. On the side of the gentlemen, Jun Palafox in a very formal barong Tagalog and Bert Lina, outfitted in full Muslim attire, could have walked away with awards, if such were available.

At the head table, Benjie was flanked by Baby Arenas and Edna Camcam. Dinner opened with empanada, segued to sea bass and mechado, and ended with meringue, coffee or tea. The big surprise of the night was the auction of two sets of jewelry, sapphire and amethyst, the proceeds to benefit Benjie’s House of Refuge, where street children find a home (that they help to keep clean by performing house chores), attend school, and are trained for work.
Baby A announced a closed bid by declaring that the amethysts were going, going, gone for ₱100,000 – her price.

House of Refuge currently houses 17 kids, ages five to 12, what Benjie calls their formative years. There’s room for a few more, though how many more depends on DSWD, whose social workers who find the homeless kids decide where best to foster them. (Years ago, one of those kids was adopted by a family where he is the sole heir to a vineyard.)

Benjie may not be the corporate type – ask his kids Mio and Michelle – but if he looks like he’s perennially aged 55 and not a day older, it’s because as he says, “When you give with a happy heart, you’re a happy person.”