What do you do when a friend calls you at 10:30pm and asks you: 'you wanna have lunch tomorrow? At the Pen?'
You say yes, of course!
striped contrast-collared shirt Zara, belt Uniqlo, blue chinos Folded & Hung, patent leather sneakers Wade, bag Gucci, bracelet Tiffany & Co
Meet Onyl. He's one of my bestest friends from back in my Ateneo Glee Club days. He was my default roomie for my first Europe tour in 2001, and we just clicked. To this day, I've never had a shopping partner who shares my vibes like Onyl. Funny that my boss commented: 'friends nga kayo [you really are friends]. You both have gold shoes!'.
The Pen has been home to us, especially during Christmas season in college when we'd get invited to sing there. Many occasions have been celebrated here, and we come back for the fondue in Old Swiss Inn, the chocolate buffet, and the halo-halo!
But this is different. I've never been to Salon de Ning, thinking it was something that only the mature crowd was going to enjoy.
Boy was I wrong.
We were greeted by these 'Nings' outside.
The interiors were gorgeous! Salon de Ning was designed to be like the boudoir of Madame Ning, a globetrotting and glamorous connoisseur of all things fine. Being in here was like experiencing what it was like to be invited into her private abode in Shanghai in the 1930's. And you know me and my penchant for anything vintage. This was eyesex for me. My senses went crazy!
Opulence everywhere! All corners dripping in gold and precious stones and fine fabrics! I could live here! The kiddies could roll around this place, I bet!
My lunch dates-- Kat and Maggie. They could very well be Nings, don't you think?
Onyl invited me to the Peninsula Manila for the launching of Sing@Ning, the Search for the Ultimate Voice. Basically, it will be a
competition ala American Idol for college students, 18-25 years old, in
singing OPM that ranges from old-fashioned Kundiman to your modern-day
pop, but set in a lounge arrangement. Onyl Torres is the Musical Director.
Contestants are solo, strictly amateur artists who will be uploading 2-minute videos of themselves (plus points for forgoing long lines!) at www.youtube.com/singatning for screening. (if you are reading this and are interested, do it NOW! Uploading period ends August 31, 2012!) Qualified contestants will undergo a series of live elimination rounds over a period of three months starting September 16, 2012. I will be posting links to the website for complete mechanics at the end of this post.
Now for the best part-- the grand prize winner will be taking home scholarships to Spotlight Artist Center and John Robert Powers, a weekend stay at The Peninsula Manila, a contract to perform in Salon de Ning and P100,000 in cash!
I like that this competition will be giving young amateur talents a break. I laud Sonja Vodusek (General Manager) and The Peninsula Manila for doing this in support of our local talent. I hope other hotels follow suit. We are a country rich in talent. All we need are avenues like these to showcase those talents.
The very bubbly Tim Yap hosted the event
Kat asked me to take her photo with Tim, so what the heck, I had one taken, too.
Singer-songwriter Trina Belamide and Talent Manager/ Talent Agent/ Events Producer/ Movie & Original Musicals Producer and Twitter Diva GR Rodis was also in attendance. They will both be judging along with Tim and many more, if I'm not mistaken. Love the iPhone case, GR! (that vintage camera-looking thing dangling from her neck is an iPhone!)
Hardly took any food shots, which is so not me. Haha! I was busy absorbing all the richness!
Toto Sorioso, 1st Runner-up at the recently concluded first Philippine Popular Music Festival played his winning song.
Theater actor and recording artist OJ Mariano was one of the artists that performed OPM hits.
Onyl explaining details of the contest.
More of the interiors
The talented bunch: Nar Cabico, Ava Santos, Oj Mariano, Carlo Falcis, Roxy Aldiosa, Toto Sorioso.
Just as I was about to leave, I see this frothy pink vision walking towards me. Of course it was Tessa! I asked her to pose for a photo. She went: 'with them?' (points to the models). I go: 'sure!' and she goes, 'nah, they're too tall!' and she gamely poses for me. Alone. Away from the tall ladies. Haha!
Back at the office, I find this in my bag
Something tells me that wasn't the last time I was seeing Salon de Ning. ;)
for full competition details and updates, you may visit
for inquiries on the competition, please contact the
Public Relations Department of The Peninsula Manila at (63-2) 887 2888 or 812 3456.
