It was a Madhatter’s tea party at the birthday dinner of Benjie Yap at the Manila Hotel. On Sunday night, he hosted 300 guests at a Filipino themed celebration at the Maynila of the Manila Hotel. The following evening, Benjie Yap’s birthday celebration continued around one long table in the Champagne Room of the Manila Hotel with 38 family members and some of his good friends.
Alice in Wonderland Comes Alive
The table decor was inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Centrepieces of cups and saucers were piled on top of each other, chipped and glued back together to create towering centrepieces. Cups dangled from candelabras with lighted candles. Roses and tulips bloomed among lilies and carnations. It was a spectacular tablescape conceptualised and executed by internationally acclaimed Manny Samson. Manny envisioned a feast for all the senses, calling the dinner Au Plaisir des Sens.
Butterflies and Dragonflies
The table setting was the feast for the eyes. Spectacular food was prepared to please the taste buds. Each course was served to the violin music of Jay Cayuca, who performed throughout the dinner.
The fragrance of the flowers and the aroma of the food were the agreeable elements to please the sense of smell. And everybody couldn’t help but touch the centrepieces, particularly the plates which had the names of each guest inscribed together with butterflies and Dragonflies. Manny’s team had selected different butterflies and dragonflies for the plates which served to identify each person’s seat.
Toasting with Champagne and Cherries
The toast was another extraordinary experience. Bottega Champagne was poured into champagne glasses which each had big red fresh cherries. When it was time to blow the birthday candles, the waiters of Manila Hotel brought out a cake for each guest. The cakes were decorated with bejewelled butterflies and dragonflies.
The waiters themselves all had a jewelled buttoner. Benjie Yap, afterall is the jeweller behind Favored Son.
Balmain and Versace
Benjie himself wore a glittering , black Balmain ramp modeled t-shirt without collar with a Versace jacket over it. Several of his guests wore jewelry Designed by Favored Son. Benjie is known to work with some of the finest stones to create his designs.
There was more entertainment after the blowing of the cake with a balladeer performing some of Benjie’s favorite songs. It was truly a feast for the senses.Everyone went home with their personalized plates and individual cakes.
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By Simone Gabriele
