This year’s Lifestyle Asia Gala took place in the green, picturesque Lakehall at Nena’s Sanctuary, offering guests a peaceful and natural escape that events designer Bhem Meijer further elevated.
In order for an event to be a truly memorable one, its different elements must work together to create a uniquely immersive experience. Among the most important aspects, besides the program itself, is an event’s venue and ambiance. Location and overall style can change the entire feel of a celebration, which is why Lifestyle Asia carefully curated these elements to ensure that guests would have a night to remember during its annual gala.
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A Serene Sanctuary
The event took place on the beautiful grounds of Lakehall at Nena’s Sanctuary. Guests entered for photographs by lush, foliage photo walls. As they walked towards the gala entrance, a view of the lake and its sprawling green landscape immediately greeted them. The verdant scenes didn’t stop outdoors—they also spilled over to the Grand Hall, which contained small trees and topiaries, acting as an extension of the venue’s natural surroundings.
The subtle elegance and picturesque set-ups were the handiwork of events designer Bhem Meijer, who specializes in creating spaces that feel at once welcoming and stylish, and often incorporates more sustainable practices into her work. Meijer’s ethos as a designer perfectly aligned with the gala’s celebration of meaningful endeavors, resulting in a truly special ambiance.
Shortly before the event, Lifestyle Asia sat down with Meijer to discuss the process and concepts behind the gala’s inimitable event styling.
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A Gala Beyond the Outdoors
Meijer integrated her signature free-style arrangements across the event, with flowers and foliage arranged in a way that felt organic and natural. Rather than using traditional floral foam, which isn’t very biodegradable, Meijer used recycled chicken coop wires to hold everything together. It’s these little things that set her styling, and the Lifestyle Asia Gala, apart.
“The venue is already pretty,” Meijer explained during the interview. “To set the ambiance of the place, you have to add elements that won’t destroy its natural beauty. That’s one of my strengths: enhancing a place that’s already stunning, instead of transforming it completely.”
To give the indoors an extended outdoor feel, Meijer used whole plants rather than cuttings. Small trees were placed at the center of doughnut-shaped tables, creating an intimate garden atmosphere. In the Grand Hall, everything felt sophisticated but never overwhelming, which is exactly what the designer wanted.
“My goal is to create a relaxed atmosphere,” Meijer explained. “So the centerpieces aren’t too high, just low arrangements so people really have the space to talk to each other.”
Conversation did seem to flow freely during the event, as guests enjoyed the evening, each other’s company, and of course, the food—which was served with a panache that one can only describe as magical.
Transformative Spreads
Besides the sumptuous six-course meal from Florabel, other highlights of the evening included the grazing table and dessert table.
Prior to the gala’s program, guests enjoyed a variety of cold cuts, cheeses, crackers, fruits, and the like on a large grazing table. At the center were perfectly-trimmed trees, with an assortment of leaves and flowers surrounding the platefuls of savory snacks. It was a modern-day cornucopia, with warm and cool hues that enhanced the bountiful feast.
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To cap off the program, Meijer and her team transformed the grazing table into a decadent dessert spread. Leaves hung from wooden beams, joining the topiary centerpieces to create a lush tablescape. Golden lightbulbs accompanied these elements, casting a warm glow across the spread that looked divine.
Excited murmurs erupted as the guests lined up to taste the sweet selection, marveling at the spectacle of it all. After all, in the world of gustatory pleasures, presentation is paramount.
A Fresh Harvest
Circling back to the gala’s incorporation of more eco-friendly elements, tables were laden with fresh local produce like bell peppers, tomatoes, string beans, cucumber, ginger, and more. They served as both appealing table pieces that added to the gala’s natural charm and giveaways for guests. Each attendee received a charming woven bag so they could take the produce home.
Besides being wholesome tokens, these fresh fruits and vegetables are also wonderful products of the local agriculture sector. “It’s a great idea to source produce from around the Philippines, since it helps our farmers and highlights our natural resources,” Meijer explained.
Indeed, the Lifestyle Asia Gala’s commitment to honoring meaningful endeavors lies in every little detail; it’s a testament to the publication’s desire to highlight aspects of life that transcend luxury and create ripples of positive change.
Photos by Excel Panlaque, Kim Santos, and Ed Simon of Kliq, Inc.
