Daily Tribune
Virgie Lane, JSSP president Olga Severino Martel, H.E. Ernst Woller, Deputy Mayor and President of the Vienna State Parliament, HE Amb of Austria Johann Brieger, JSSP chairman Fortune Ledesma, Mme Roswitha Brieger, Marissa Fenton and Maestro Rainer Roos.
THE columnist and Ambassador of Japan Endo Kazuya.
KAYE Tinga and Mia Borromeo.
EVELYN Young and Vivienne Tan.
MAYENNE Carmona and Angola Consul Helen Ong.
NENE Leonor and Len Olbes.
ALICE Samson and AJ Olpindo.
PRINCESS Violago, Malou Tanjutco , Mme Akiko Endo of Japan, Ambassador of Hungary Titanilla To’th & Mme Eun Hwa Lee of Korea.
DARIUS Razon and Mohammed Fahim.
JOY Melendres, Ningning de Ocampo and Jennifer Weigel.
ELIZABETH Kazemi, Jean Saburit and Becky Garcia.
AMBASSADOR of Malaysia Melvin Castelino, Ambassador Delia Albert and Ambassador of Korea Lee Sang Hwa.
Gerry Lane, Tingting Cojuangco and Doris Magsaysay Ho.
CARLOS Montemayor, Bobby Alvarez and Robert Castenada
DANA Silverio and Gladys Duenas.
NINI Licaros, Vivian Caramba, Connie Haw, Joy Rustia and Shy Tan.
AJ Violago.
RACHELLE Gerodias, Fanny Blanco and Byeong in Park.
MME Michelle Hejcova and Ambassador of Czech Republic Karel Hejc.
PINKY Tobiano and Juancho Robles.
Ruby Chua and Consul Agnes Huibonhoa.
DEBUTANTES gracefully perform the traditional Viennese cotillion.
One of the annual events I never miss is here: the Johann Strauss Society of the Philippines (JSSP) Ball.
This year, we lit up the ballroom at Shangri-La Makati as we all celebrated the 200th birth anniversary of Johann Strauss II, the beloved Waltz King of Vienna.
Together with friends and my generous bestie Bobby Alvarez who sponsored the table, we got to witness this year’s debutantes have their moment. They performed a mesmerizing waltz and a traditional Viennese cotillion—both gorgeous performances honoring Vienna and the late Strauss himself.
We were also swooning from the music by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by esteemed Austrian Maestro Rainer Roos and special musical performances by Ms. Rachelle Gerodias and Mr. Byeong In Park. All timeless performances fit for a king!
It was just right for the modern kings and queens in our presence that night: Austrian Ambassador Johann Brieger, President of the Vienna Provincial Parliament Ernst Woller, and many more distinguished figures and patrons.
More than a night of culture and traditions, it was a night of renewing friendships between our two countries. I had so much fun putting my best look forward and basking in glamour with friends. Like I said, I never miss this. Can’t wait for our ball next year. Until then, cheers! Or as they say in Vienna — prost!
