A grand opening

Klieg lights illuminated the sky of the newest "watering hole" right smack in the center of the Greenhill's restaurant row. Opening night of this partly Negrense owned resto-bar - that has relaxation and "chill out" written all over it, with its cool ambiance and "art-deco" look, with Erte styled lamps scattered on the walls, and mirrors for the lovely to gaze at - had the movers, shakers, achievers and the well-heeled set of "middle Manila on Easy Street" shoulder to shoulder, elbow to elbow, in the inside, spilling into the sidewalk.

Highlights of Chiv's grand opening night was an open bar sponsored by Ginebra with their bartenders doing a bartending showdown. Expensive spirits, fine Chilean red and white wines and good old reliable light beer were washed down with scrumptious Tapas and the house specialty "Fire and Heat" (hot and spicy sizzling squid). Pulsating new wave, house, club and 80's music mixed with the aroma of expensive colognes from world capitals, and the "devil may care chatter" of the party animals in their chicest designer best had the mood going for what might be the opening of openings long remembered. Of course, the blessing for posterity, the official cutting of the ribbon by comedian Jimmy Santos, Cheska Litton and popular and most eligible bachelor San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito (now, we all know who he is!), and the introduction of owners: Chivs (thus the name) during their high-school years; Bacolod's disco big man Paul Genito, Ginebra's star cagers Noli Locsin and Dwight Lago, honorary Dumagueteño Eric Domingo (his better half Joanna is the daughter of social icon Mari-Cris Teves), Wilfred Chua, "chika.com's" Junie Fajardo, Malabon Air Force royale Paco Francisco, Rengie Galvez and the "lone rose among the thorns" Grace Vizmonte got the blast in the celebratory starting line going.

Spotted in the humongous glitzy and fun crowd were business, social and political luminaries headed by Mayor JV Ejercito, Reps. Chiz Escudero and Miles Roces, and a sprinkling of show-biz blue bloods, the likes of Claudine Barretto, Jenny Miller, Angelu de Leon, Bobby Andrews, Jimmy Santos, Rudolph Yaptinchay, Dingdong Dantes and award-winning Marvin Agustin.

Partying lasted from the "night's long journey into dawn", and what a party it was! Have a good week ahead "cher amis!"……………………………..NOUS.*