| Who
are the girls? Where are the boys?
Take
Billy
by Billy Balbastro If
you have your fill of nocturnal servings of comedy bars and music lounges and
you wish to try something else, try Club Mwah in the less travelled road, far
from the maddening crowd, in Mandaluyong City.  As
its proprietors Pocholo Malilin and Cris Nicolas point out, Club Mwah being the
total entertainment bar and party place can spell the difference. Set a near-perfect
evening for yourself and friends.
The
well-travelled jetsetter will say that the party place itself is a blending and
reminiscent of New York's Studio 54 and Las Vegas visually arresting Caesar's
Palace. It also boasts of
a luxurious VIP room, stylish lounge areas, good food and psychedelic dance floor
but beyond all these, Club Mwah serves on weekends its distinctive musical and
dance revues with thematic vignettes inspired by Broadway hits and seasonal events. Indeed,
Club Mwah is a pocket Las Vegas with its impeccable brand of entertainment in
the heart of Mandaluyong City. It marked its first year last September, winning
clients over, winning awards in the process, including the 2005 Asia Pacific Excellence
Awardee as Outstanding Entertainment-Theater Bar.  Upon
colleague and friend Veronica Samio's invitation last Saturday night, we discovered
Club Mwah and saw for ourselves a preview of their current Bedazzled III musical
revue, geared for the Christmas Season.
Promptly
starting at 10:30pm, the initial I'm Pretty and Diamonds are Girls Best Friend
numbers engulfed and impressed us with bejeweled costumes, display of talent and
humor. Their symphony in black follow-up. Plus an Egyptian number I loved more. When
they surfaced with Santa Claus and gifts, with we knew that Christmas is just
few days away. In fact, here in the Philippines, Christmas season has already
started and Club Mwah made it known to us with the flair and glamour of Las Vegas
follies. Perfect! With the
teaser "Who are the girls? Where are the boys?," performance-wise you
can never tell who they are: Reiko, Ogie, Ola, Lawrence, Demi, KC, Marla, Hikaru,
Joey Rei and Moma plus Cris Nicolas who's of course, Pocholo's business partner.
The funny girl-star of the show is Mama Pitay a.k.a. Karma who provided the comic
relief. Later, discovered he was a friend some years back, Pitimini then. 
Talking
briefly, with Pocholo who used to run and manage a popular beauty salon chain,
Club Mwah is actually the product of their desire to help others. After
years in promotion agency business, they put up the Dance Diva School where they
send talents to Japan. At least, to their talents, Club Mwah is nearer home. It's
in plush "The Venue Tower at 621 Boni Ave. Mandaluyong City." This
touch of Las Vegas in Asia has won over satisfied clients and more friends who
can give out glowing testimonials: Susan Roces, German Moreno, Pilita Corales,
Edu Manzano, Piolo Pascual, Melanie Marquez, Albert Martinez, Maricel Soriano,
Aga Muhlach and wife Charlene Gonzales. Plus media celebrities. Now Club Mwah
is where the celebrities are on weekend evenings. An
impressive party place, good food and talagang spectacular show with touches of
Las Vegas and Moulin Rouge, make your weekend evening Club Mwah. If Mwah doesn't
mean Wow, it's More! •
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