MEDIUM RARE

Maybe it wasn’t the party of the century, but who needs a century when you’re only 79 years old?

Bon vivant Benjie Yap, who “collects everything” from antique jars to contemporary jewelry, celebrated his birthday amid 50 shades of blue and an army of friends, including fellow philanthropists, at the ballroom of the family-owned Manila Hotel. Lights all around the ballroom were cast in a soft and gentle shade of blue to match Benjie’s cleverly coutoured coat in cyan. Four food stations were set up to represent four continents – Asia, America, Europe, Africa – just as each round table for guests was designed to highlight a piece of medium-blue Ching ware, plate, teapot, or bowl. On the wine list were reds and whites, cocktails and mocktails. My seatmate, Arthur Yang, was more interested in the Turkish delights.

Manny Samson said it took his team three weeks to execute the look. Like a kid, Benjie seemed awed at the beauty of it all as the girls streamed in, elegantly, in their gowns. Annie Giger won the prize for best-dressed, even if her gown was not blue, so maybe it was because her lipstick was a shade of ice-blue. Marivic Vazquez’ strapless long gown was accented by a necklace of blue stones. Edna Camcam’s gown in electric blue was a flounce of petals from hipline to ankles. Ching Cruz arrived with Philip, she in a subtle leafy print, he in a coat of dove grey with a necktie in inky blue. Fermin Reyes, Benjie’s longtime ally, was a portrait in blue velvet, head to toe. Lito Camacho smiled when I told him his blue shirt wasn’t blue enough. Baby Arenas was seen chatting with Dick and Kate Gordon while her daughter, Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas, stood with me to people-watch. 

 
As usual every year, the birthday boy held a raffle to give away jewelry by Benjie. The prizes included an enamel bracelet, a cameo brooch, and a ring crowned by an African ruby, this last won by Ping Valencia, who said she had kept visualizing her name on the video screen to manifest her luck.

For the rest of us girls, we “won” bracelets of what I believe is black jade or onyx, thank you, Benjie.