Author: Resty Vergara
Column: Eye Catcher
It was dancing like you have never seen before. The First Philippine StarBall held at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila left Manila’s denizens spellbound with the performances of the world’s most talented amateur and professional ballroom dancers.
The audience was captivated with the energy that was felt across the ballroom with the international dancers’ graceful moves and mesmerizing footwork, which were matched with unforgettable music and glitzy costumes. The most applauded numbers were the tango, fox trot, Viennese waltz and the cha-cha. Dancers competed in several categories including Amateur Latin, Amateur Standard, Pro-Am Latin, Pro-Am Standard, Professional Latin and Professional Standard. There were also Beginner, Novice, Junior, Pre-Teen, Under 21, and Senior divisions, even hip hop.
The grand ballroom of Crowne Plaza Galleria Plaza Manila was transformed into an elegant and enchanting dance arena complete with a wooden dance floor. The international guests enjoyed a sumptuous dinner prepared by the masterful culinary team of the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila starting with asparagus soup with paprika cappuccino followed by assorted fresh salad with dressing. A deliciously healthy Mediterranean inspired main course was served: roasted chicken breast stuffed with ricotta, arugula and spinach served with green baguio beans and mushroom shitake fricassee and rosemary jus, white snapper in lemon butter sauce with rice and a unique dessert with a local twist, caramel hazel nut and mousse cake with pandan sauce.
The First Philippine StarBall was organized by the Council of United Professional Dance Teachers of the Philippines Inc. (CUPDTP), with the support of the Department of Tourism, First Gentleman’s Foundation, Metrobank, SM Mark Inc., and International Container Terminal Services Inc. Proceeds of the competition went to Kythe, a foundation which helps children afflicted with cancer.
Michaela “Pinky” Puno, wife of DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno and chairman of the First Philippine StarBall organizing committee, led the awarding ceremonies together with Games and Amusement Board chairman Eric Buhain, Council of United Professional Dance Teachers of the Philippines Inc. (CUPDTP) president Jojo Cariño, CUPDTP vice president Jerswin Poloyapoy, Consul Erik Nielsen and wife Madame Dawn Nielsen of the Royal Consulate of Denmark, Madame Cosetta Fedele, wife of Italian Ambassador Rubens Anna Fedele, US Deputy Chief of Mission Paul Jones and his wife Catherine Jones.
Truly, everyone danced like a star and the Philippine StarBall will be an event that will be looked forward to annually.
Maroon 5 and Incubus at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila
Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, official residence of Maroon 5, the Grammy Award winning Los Angeles-based neo-soul rock group, hosted an after party at Bar One to celebrate the successful concert produced by Viva Converts and Events. The audience went wild as the band played their current chart topping single, “Won’t Go Home Without You.” Other well-loved hits were “Harder to Breathe,” “This Love,” and “She Will be Loved.”
Back to back with Maroon 5 was the multi-awarded platinum American alternative rock band Incubus, which was on their Light Grenades Pacific Rim Tour in Manila produced by MTV Philippines. Incubus, back by popular demand in Manila, had their fans sing out loud their mix of hard rocking songs and sublime ballads such as “Drive,” “Wish You Were Here,” “Megalomaniac,” “Anna Molly” and “Oil and Water.”
The hotel has been a favorite of many international artists for being the ideal home away from home with its modern guest rooms, upscale amenities and strategic location.
Seen at the after party of Maroon 5 were Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila and Viva Entertainment VIPs led by Vincent del Rosario, executive vice president; Brent Fernandez, project director of Viva Concerts and Events; Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila’s GM Paul Rene Lee; resident manager David Jamieson; and Pearl Peralta-Maclang, director of sales and marketing. Celebraties spotted were Anne Curtis, Sam Milby, Ruffa Mae Quinto, Maui Taylor, Andrea del Rosario, Tim Yap and Celine Lopez, who came with their friends such as Anna Angara, Geni and Isabel Psinakis. Beatles band The Members entertained the international crowd and Maroon 5’s drummer and percussionist Matt Flynn even jammed with the band to the amusement of the crowd. Maroon 5 band members were mixing with the guests and even gamely posed for pictures.
At the Incubus party were MTV Philippines president Francis Lumen, director of marketing Ronald Esguerra with their VJs Maggie Wilson, Victor Basa, Anne Curtis, Kat Alano and Sib Sibulo. David Nugent, Sam Milby, Paolo Araneta, models Mia Ayesa, Roseanna Graendal and Rich Herrera were seen mixing with other musicians such as Pochoy Labog of Dicta License, Lalay Lim or Urbandub, EO Marcos of Severo and Niles Chong of Angulo.
Source: The Daily Tribune
http://telebisyon.net/balita/The-First-Philippine-StarBall-at-the-Crowne-Plaza/artikulo/69668/
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