MANILA, Philippines—Pretty young miss with the four B’s (as in beauty, brains, breeding and bucks, dahlings) Ginger Ong, one of the few Filipino-Chinese students at New York City’s fabled Fashion Institute of Technology, is now close to fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a fashion designer. The 20-year-old daughter of business magnate Jovy O. and the beautiful fashion plate Genie Ong recently jetted back to Manille for a break from her hectic school schedule abroad.Just like her grand debut in 2006, Ginger’s homecoming was a lavish affair held at their Greenhills residence, with an excellently prepared 14-course dinner (a la lauriat style, palanggas) and flowing wine, while the fun pack of invitees enjoyed the romantic renditions of the De La Salle University Pops Orchestra.

Moi was told that aside from school, this aspiring fashion designer also managed to get juicy scoops from some of the city’s prestigious fashion shows; rubbed elbows with the fashion elite; and did volunteer work for Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Carolina Herrera, Christian Dior, Vera Wang, Paul Hardy, Lily Smith and Temperlyn London during the NY Fashion Week, dahlings.

She met fashion guru and TV personality Tim Gunn during her volunteer stint for Season 4 of “Project Runway” last year, and was also involved in the Emmy Awards prescreening process.
In Manille, she took an internship course under acclaimed designer Larry Espinosa, doing bridal and evening gowns, and with Preview Magazine as well. And she was also a dean’s lister!

This month, Ginger is booked for an internship stint with BCBG Max Azria, one of New York’s famous brands, and come summer, she will tour fashion houses in London, Paris and Italy with her adorable famille.

Hey, ain’t it great to be young, absolutely beautiful, totally brilliant and definitely privileged, palanggas?

Bling-bling card

In today’s fast, fast world, our life is ruled by all sorts of cards, from load cards to credit cards and, now, the bling-bling card, dahlings. RCBC Bankard Diamond MasterCard—the first bona fide platinum credit card for women—was launched during the recent Mega Fashion Awards.

The Diamond Card carries tons of features that are perfect for the tastes of women of style. These include zero interest for beauty and wellness products and services within the first three months of card issuance, unlimited choice of rewards, and the unique Diamond Cares program in which P0.25 will be automatically donated to Gawad Kalinga Sibol, a program for underprivileged children, for every P100 transaction, palanggas.

Every gal’s adrenaline level shot up during the launch when RCBC Bankard raffled off an awesome multifaceted diamond ring, which was won by the dazzling Anne Curtis.
The entertainment industry’s current “It girl” was also named “the Most Fashionable Female Celebrity” of the night.

Naturellement, RCBC Bankard’s hotshot executives came in full elegant force, palanggas, headed by president and CEO Oscar Biason and dashing Ping Reyes.

Mall opening

We were on our way to TriNoma for the first time for the grand opening of the awesome New York-style Madison Steak Grill when someone asked what TriNoma stood for, dahlings.

Well, it took my pal Pepper Teehankee only three minutes to exclaim, “It’s Triangle in North Manila!”

There for the grand opening of the latest complex in the ever-expanding Ayala Malls, palanggas, was no less than Her Excellency President Macapagal-Arroyo, joined by the Vice President Noli “Kabayan” de Castro, MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando, Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte, Ayala Land Inc. chair Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Land Inc. president Jimmy I. Ayala, and The Landmark’s Teddy Keng.

Trés visible were several TriNoma merchants: Jorge and Filipina Bitong of Bayo; brilliant merchandising whiz Ben Chan of Bench, natch; Toby’s Bobby and Toby Claudio; Ronald Pineda of Folded & Hung; Mr. and Mrs. Mariano Cua of Pho Hoa; Joseph Singian of Adidas; and Rafael Prats of Timezone, among tons of others like them, palanggas.

For entertainment, promising newcomer Nyko Maca serenaded the invitees at the TriNoma Park, while John Prats, Shaina Magdayao and Rayver Cruz, together with awesome dance groups Hotlegs and The Maneuvers, busted their moves for the applauding crowd.

The grand finale was the powerful performance at the TriNoma Activity Center by the gorgeous, talented Zsa Zsa Padilla, no less, and daughter Karylle, who were backed up by 100 amazing voices from various chorale groups.

And, not to be missed, check out the new The Landmark Department Store and its awesome The Landmark Supermarket at TriNoma. Wow!