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The first NUSTAR ball, held in partnership with Tatler Philippines, brought together select Cebu and Manila guests for a worthy cause
Amidst the beautiful backdrop of Cebu City, the very first NUSTAR Gala was held last July 6, 2024. Mounted in partnership with Tatler Philippines, the momentous evening was graced by 340 guests, 30 of whom flew in from Manila. The Manila guests were hosted for the weekend by NUSTAR Resort and The Mall. They had lovely meals at Good Luck Hot Pot, Kazuwa Japanese restaurant and the fabulous, Mott 32, which is featured in the 2024 Tatler Dining Guide.
The ball was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Fili Hotel at the NUSTAR Resort and Casino. Upon arriving, guests were greeted with pass-around hors d’oeuvres and a selection of cocktails and champagne. Soon after, the ballroom doors were opened to reveal a well-appointed venue.
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Above Hosts David Celdran and Aziza Mondonedo | Photo by Jon Hipe
Hosts David Celdran and Aziza Mondonedo | Photo by Jon Hipe
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Above Alan Teo, chief operating officer of NUSTAR Resort and Casino | Photo by Jon Hipe
Alan Teo, chief operating officer of NUSTAR Resort and Casino | Photo by Jon Hipe
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Hosts David Celdran and Aziza Mondonedo took to the stage to welcome attendees as they settled into their seats. Alan Teo, chief operating officer of NUSTAR Resort and Casino gave his opening remarks and shared about the property’s journey and the importance of the inaugural ball.
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Cebu’s leaders of business and art came to celebrate and support an evening of relevance. Among the notable guests were Secretary Frederic Go and wife Winnie, Congressman Edu Rama and wife Jaja, Mariquita Yeung, Frances Siao, Donnie Tantoco, Paolo and Cristina Martel, Ching and Philip Cruz, and many more laudable individuals.
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A four-course dinner was served while guests were serenaded by the musical talents of the Cebu Events Chamber Orchestra. Soon after, Antonio “Tonico” Manahan, joined Celdran and Mondonedo onstage to officially open the charity auction. Guests opened their hearts engaging in a flurry of spirited bidding, all in support of the evening’s beneficiary, Cameleon Association - Philippines. Auction items were generously donated by merchants and friends of the NUSTAR Mall like Bulgari, Jewelmer, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Kenneth Cobonpue, and the Fili Hotel.
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The event was made more special by the presence of Cameleon’s founder, Laurence Ligier, who spoke about the foundation’s roots and mission. Created in 1997, Cameleon seeks to develop a global approach to act on the causes and effects of sexual violence against children and adolescents. A donation of 30,000 php would cover the legal and/or medical fees of at least one of Cameleon’s beneficiaries. The NUSTAR ball, while a celebration amongst friends from Cebu and Manila, served as a fitting avenue for philanthropy and awareness of the struggles of abuse victims in need of holistic support.
The NUSTAR Ball was organised over a three-month period by the NUSTAR Mall and Fili Hotel teams led by Winnie Nazareth, senior consultant for Robinson’s Land Corporation and Tatler’s team led by its managing director, Irene Martel Francisco. As of this writing, we have raised 4,500,000 php with more donations coming in.
Above Monique de los Santos serenades the crow at the 2024 NUSTAR ball
Monique de los Santos serenades the crow at the 2024 NUSTAR ball
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The evening drew to a close with a magnificent performance by Cebu’s own Monique de los Santos, who encouraged attendees to dance the night away as the spotlight followed her to the dance floor.
Above NUSTAR ball 2024
NUSTAR ball 2024
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To know more about NUSTAR Resort and Casino, you may visit nustar.ph.
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Credits
Photography: Jon Hipe, Jarod Roa, Diolito Calago
Topics
A creative storyteller with a background in literature and culture, Dowee has been with Tatler since 2016 and now leads the brand’s digital voice—pursuing stories that highlight inspiring people, moments, and experiences. She holds a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from De La Salle University and is pursuing her PhD in Philippine Literature and Society at the University of the Philippines. She is also a member of the writers group, Taftique, which hones young writers in the field of creative literature.
For story leads, collaborations, or inquiries, reach out via dowee@tatlerphilippines.com or info@tatlerphilippines.com.
