SHE wore a tan like a jaguar and had the slinky appeal of a feline. She was also a lady boss who knew her way around crew and businessmen alike.
That is why it was much of a surprise to hear that Samantha Carbonell was donating some of the proceeds of the event of the season, titled Genesis, to our feeding program.
She was talking a mile a minute, painting a picture of what a vision she had dreamed up. A night of decadent fun, sprinkled with white and gold, as fitting for the Greek-themed pool party. I just nodded in agreement as she weaved each element in: the fly-in DJ, the select crowd, nothing-but-the-best arrangements, caterers, butlers and the talents she would bring in.
Rachel Lobangco’s poi dance had to be there, of course, so with Red Carpet’s resident talent James and the trifecta of DJ hotness; Mia, Sanya and Ornussa.
The days leading to the event were buzzing with excitement: Who will be in Manila? Who is flying in to Fairways tower? Who are you going with and what were you going to wear? It was like high-school prom all over again. But the euphoria was coming from well-seasoned party-goers that frequent Ibiza and the Pool Palace like it was their backyard.
Sure, there were other events but this was Red Carpet—and this pool party only happens once a year.
Surely “everyone who was somebody” would be there. Surely it would be a night to remember.
So it was.
This time with the likes of La Isla and Lumiere Spa heading the huge conglomeration of companies, events productions and model agencies that brought in their time, talent and je ne sais quoi to the mix.
The sponsors brought class and style, and a truckload of international models to the mix. Cheeky expats and privileged princesses were the milieu. They came, they saw the digs and they conquered.
Let’s just let what happened in Genesis, stay in Genesis. (To be seen in truckloads of big hashtags and anonymous tabloid scoops later on). Let’s just call it a night inundated with music, laughter, naughtiness and wet models. However, this year, Samantha, or Sam, as I call her: made sure that all the decadent partying—like whipped cream on ice cream—served up something substantial. She not only donated to our feeding program called “This is Love,” but also gave money to Barrio Bayabas, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Angat, Bulacan, for the completion and maintenance of the town chapel. She also gave some of the proceeds of the event to the bereaved family of Ronel Olano, a cherished events worker who passed away.
Suffice to say, I was proud that such a woman of the world had decided to give a little bit of her hard-earned cash to her personal causes. It also served as a vindication and an inspiration that, no matter what work you have, no matter how crazy, sexy, fun your world is, you can always make a way to give, to care and to make a difference in other people’s lives.
The party may have been a success, just like each of the six past years it has been running, but this year, thanks to Sam, it has allowed the participants to contribute to many noble causes.