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WITH its own super league of taipans (complemented by
their bejeweled and designer label worshipping tai-tai spouses) Hong
Kong is not a place that is easily impressed when it comes to high
society happenings—especially when it takes place at the Hong Kong
Peninsula which is at the epicenter of the former crown colony’s
exclusive and elegant social stakes.
But even the tai-tais—nibbling
cucumber sandwiches and sipping Earl Grey tea in the lobby as is
their custom on any Hong Kong afternoon—were in awe when the
business glitterati of the Philippines, augmented by the heady
presence of former President Joseph Estrada (now freed from villa
arrest) were ferried to the famed establishment in the hotel’s
entire fleet of 14 gleaming Rolls Royce Phantoms to celebrate the
wedding of Dana Richelle Go (daughter of Sugarland tycoon and
Filipino-Chinese Business Club founder Dante Go and Rosalinda Go)
and Benedicto Coyiuto (son of corporate honcho Robert Coyiuto Jr and
Rosie Coyiuto—he of the business empire that includes insurance
interests and the Porche-Audi franchise).
An expatriate banker, who
happened to be sitting in the Peninsula lobby when the wedding party
in their finery started trickling in from the church nuptials, told
us it really was “an awesome sight.” And Hong Kong’s chic
society watchers who are also regular tea time habitués at the
rococo inspired lobby, and who thought they had seen it all, were
apparently agog with excitement at the stylish scene unfolding
before them. It truly was a social happening of taipanic
proportions.
Flying in from Manila for the
happy occasion were the crème de la crème of the Philippine
business galaxy—with the exclusive guest list limited to just 200
invitees.
But what a line-up of
guests—and encompassing the political, business and social
circuits to boot. In addition to former President Estrada (who kept
welcoming everyone present to “the opposition” to rounds of much
bemused laughter!) another important sponsor was banker Diosdado
Macapagal Jr, the low-key brother of President Gloria Arroyo.
Other sponsors were former Sen.
Loi Estrada, San Miguel president and CEO Ramon Ang, leading lady of
the SM Group Teresita Sy Coson, Cebu Pacific boss Lance Gokongwei
and his wife Joyce, Meralco chief Manuel Lopez with Teresa Lopez,
Sulpicio Shipping Lines owner Esuebio Go and Juliet Go, prominent
garment businessman Solomon Co, Elisa Coyiuto Lim and Amparo Lim.
The church was not left out
either, with one of its princes—Cardinal Ricardo
Vidal—officiating at the marital rites held at the 18th century
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception that sits imposingly in the
heart of Hong Kong’s Mid-Levels residential district.
Incidentally, Makati Mayor Jojo
Binay—who had previously wedded the couple at civic rites back in
Makati City Hall—was another select guest both at the church and
the reception.
This was a rare high-profile
outing for Dante Go who these days is spotted mostly at the Manila
Polo Club where he plays a mean game of tennis, or in the salubrious
climes of Tagaytay where he owns a magnificent weekend home which
lifestyle editors of publications from home and abroad lust after
for their glossy pages.
As the glam wedding celebration
progressed in the Hong Kong Peninsula’s historic Salisbury Room
with its classic appointments, the air of real camaraderie was
palpable—the political affiliations of the Macapagals and Estradas
notwithstanding.
Observing this sincere display of
unity and harmony one apolitical guest was heard to sigh: “Why
can’t it always be like this also in Manila?”
E-mail: bizzfizz_98@yahoo.com.
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