Hello, Dolly! And other surprises at the Tatler Ball

The country’s premier event, The Tatler Philippines Ball, keeps getting better and better. Highlighting elegance and philanthropy in its 22nd year and with a streamlined guest list, managing director Irene Martel Francisco explained, “We are keeping the number of guests to 300-310 persons. This was an increase from the 280 guests of last year and we will be keeping the guest list to this 310 number going forward. It is much more intimate and exclusive than the 450 to 500 people we used to have pre-pandemic! It also makes us more mindful and selective of who we invite.”

As guests entered the Shangri-La The Fort’s Grand Ballroom, one could immediately notice an intimate cocktail area set up with a number of sofas and armchairs strategically placed around a large water fountain. Perfectly chilled Moet & Chandon champagne was readily available as the early birds arrived and socialized.

We joined Tatler awardee Dolly de Leon in one of the comfy sofas and she proved to be such a refreshing and candid personality, describing her “overnight” success to Lifestyle editor Millet Mananquil: “I’ve had insignificant jobs that didn’t click, so I worked at Zorilla for two years. And tasted success only at the age of 54!” Gaining international recognition, British Vogue recently listed the award-winning actress among “30 of the world’s famous stars.”

Philippine Tatler honored two other remarkable personalities: Kenneth Cobonpue for the Impact Award and Maria Ressa as the Diamond Awardee.

Auctions are part and parcel of fundraising proceedings, and the Cebu contingent headed by Mariquita Yeung and acclaimed designer Cary Santiago won four out of the five prizes, thereby contributing more funds for the ball’s beneficiary, Project Inclusion Network, where the potential of persons with disabilities is realized, ensuring that they become economically empowered through a learning program. Approximately 12% of Filipinos aged 15 and up live with some form of disability.

Congratulations are in order to the Philippine Tatler team and its generous donors as Irene shared the good news: “I think this was our best Tatler Ball yet! I am very grateful that it is so well received yearly. Our goal was to raise P11,250,000 to help 250 PWDs get education and job placement training. We have now raised almost P17,000,000! One hundred percent of donations and auction proceeds go directly to the beneficiary.”

Partners for the 2023 Tatler Ball were Headline partner Tiffany & Co, Gold partner Lexus and Supporting partners Belo, Eluria, HSBC and Moet & Chandon.