Avignon Clinic launched its new coffee table book through a spectacular gala that honored beauty from the inside out.
The Avignon Gala was certainly a spectacle in more ways than just the visual. The celebrated dermatology and wellness clinic held its sophisticated event within the walls of Shangri-La The Fort’s Grand Ballroom. The entire venue was a vision of golds and pinks, as well as lush flowers. This is mostly thanks to the work of event stylists Teddy Manuel and Michael Ruiz, as well as COTE Events.
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Celebrity guests, society members, and loyal clients arrived on the gilded red carpet for photographs before enjoying plates of canapés with glasses of white wine. Among the esteemed guests were Pinky Tobiano and husband Juancho Robles; Sheila Romero and her daughters, Milka and Mandy; and Stanley Ng.
After some pre-event mingling among attendees, the grand ballroom opened to reveal elaborate table setups with soaring live music from the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Rodel Colmenar.
Nourishing the Body, Heart, and Spirit
The gala’s program was hosted by the charismatic Gelli Victor, and consisted of an impressive line-up of vocal performances by Patrick Quiroz, John Rex, Zephanie Dimaranan, and Radha Cuadrado. Between each performance, Avignon Ambassadors Sam Milby and Julia Montes gave inspiring words that emphasized the significance of self-care and beauty from within.
“True beauty radiates from within, and you are most beautiful when you believe in yourself, so embrace your uniqueness and exude more confidence; because it’s this belief that will empower you to make your dreams a reality,” said Milby during his statement.
Guests listened to talented singers as they enjoyed a sumptuous four-course selection consisting of a Seafood Melody, Broccoli Cream Soup with Prosciutto Silvers, Herb-Crusted Angus Beef Tenderloin, and Mango Jelly Banana Mousse, care of Shangri-La The Fort.
John Rex kicked off the string of concerts with a performance of John Legend’s “All Of Me.” Radha followed this with a soaring and powerful rendition of Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful.” Then, Zephanie stunned with an impeccable cover of Wicked’s “Defying Gravity.” All three performers banded together to end their performances with a heart-stopping trio of The Greatest Showman’s “A Million Dreams.”
A Compendium of Accomplishments
The music selections of the evening all shared common themes centered on beauty, self-love, and confidence. This was an apt choice given the purpose of Avignon’s gala, which celebrated the clinic’s ethos of cultivating beauty from the inside out. It also marked the launch of Avignon’s Most Beautiful coffee table book. The volume contains 60 unique narratives from 60 clients who possess both inner and outer beauty.
In the new publication are “exceptional stories about success and metamorphoses,” shared Christopher Cachuela, Avignon’s CEO and founder. “[It features] alluring people who opened up about their personal lives with the hope of inspiring others.”
“We don’t just make people look good physically—we start a spark of change within themselves,” shared Cachuela during his opening remarks.
Avignon’s Most Beautiful book is composed of three sections: face, skin, and body. Besides containing inspiring personal narratives of clients, it also showcases the clinic’s wide range of premier services and success stories.
Attendees featured in the book joined Cachuela on stage for photographs. Members of MEGA Publishing—who helped bring the book to life—also stepped onto the stage to be recognized. Together, all guests gave a toast to the finished project, which celebrates every facet of beauty.
The program closed with the grand unveiling of a gallery filled with photographs of Avignon’s Most Beautiful personalities, including Lifestyle Asia July cover star, Pinky Tobiano. As guests viewed the stunning collection, celebrity DJ Jimmy Nocon capped off the celebration with a curated selection of fresh beats.
Beauty With a Heart
Avignon does a lot more than cultivate beauty in all its forms. It also initiates social transformation through its corporate social responsibility arm, Avignon Cares. The brand has funded a number of programs and charity drives to give back to the Filipino community in more ways than one.
In August of 2021, doctors, nurses, and staff from Avignon assisted in the COVID-19 vaccinations of more than 1,000 residents in South Triangle, Quezon City. The Beauty and Heart organization, Avignon’s foundation, also sponsored relief efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for victims of Typhoon Ulysses. This included a mobile kitchen that supplied hot and nutritious meals to families whose houses were damaged by the storm’s winds.
When Typhoon Odette hit the country, Avignon Cars also partnered with the I Want To Share Foundation to raise funds for water filtration systems, solar lights, and ready-to-eat food.
Clients who avail of Avignon’s services can shine with pride knowing that the clinic will use a part of their payments to improve the living situations to Filipinos in need.
As CEO Christopher Cachuela explained so succinctly in his opening speech: “Avignon is not just a beauty clinic […] it goes beyond and transcends to impact lives.”
Photos by Daniel Tan.
