Photos | Evening In Manila at the Harold Pratt House New York

Extraordinary Chefs and Sommeliers Stage Takeover of Upper East Side Mansion to Celebrate 'An Evening in Manila' Benefiting ARK’s  #MillionLunches Feeding Program for Rural Kids

Award-winning Author Mia Alvar and Fashion Designer Rafe Totengco Honored

New York-based social impact innovator and 501(c)(3) tax-exempt philanthropic organization Advancement for Rural Kids (ARK) and the East Village’s Maharlika Filipino Moderno’s “An Evening in Manila” brought together adventure-seeking and fun loving foodies for one night last Friday May 20, as the City’s top chefs, sommeliers and restaurant professionals took over The Harold Pratt House, an Upper East Side mansion and presented a truly unique dining and dancing experience in support of ARK’s feeding program, which aims to raise funds to provide one million lunches, get kids back to school and create much needed income for farmers in the Philippines [so that the rural community can sustain the program over the course of three years].

Offering their own takes on Filipino-inspired dishes and cocktails, restaurants Aquavit, Locanda Verde and Untitled created a one-of-a-kind, multicourse menu with wine pairings from The NoMad, while Lumpia Shack, Noreetuh and Hidden Apron featuring Master Chef Jr. finalist Josh Reisner tantalized and re-imagined Filipino classic hors d'oeuvres with specialty cocktails from the Gramercy Tavern ​and Jeepney. Desserts by chefs from The Green Table and The Modern.

EIM honored two very special guests -- Manila-born, Manhattan-bred book author, Mia Alvar (In the Country) and Filipino fashion designer Rafe Totengco.

Mia Alvar, Rafe Totengco and Ayesha Vera-Yu

Clement Rhum, Half Moon Gin, Hennessy, Tito’s Vodka, Breuckelen Whiskey, Empire Wines and Tiger Beer provided spirits, wine and beer, while Cristina Soriano Lifestyle and BAHTOH designed a glamorous and inviting event space.

Photos by Lambert Parong for Kababayan Media/ CC BY

Nicole Adrienne Ponseca

Tomas and Kara De Los Reyes with Miguel Trinidad

Nathalie Lim, Mila Cajulis, Jenjen Furer and Sharlene Aquiler.

Momar Visaya, Nicole Ponseca and Don Tagala.

Dennis Sy, Mylz Tolentino, Loren San Diego and Jennifer Santi.

Jose Llana and Jaygee Macapugay.

Mia Alvar (center) with her family.

Ernabel Demillo and John Muller.

Ramon Recto, Charisse Arboleda, Zenny Pallugna and Joey Chanco.

Nick Dawes.

Ryan Letada (2nd from right).

Khristine Catacutan (left).

Cecilia Pagkalinawan, Rafe Totengco, Mia Alvar and Ernabel Demillo.

Rachelle Peraz Ocampo.

Marlo Gamora

Mariko Jacinto, PJ Pascual and Sophie Bischoff.

Cornelius and Liv.

Billy Bustamante, Liz Casasola, Brian Jose, Jaygee Macapugay, Jose Llana and Ernabel Demillo.

Yanhong Ye and Anthony Castro.

Glenn Nano and Mia Alvar with their parents.

Emmanuel Manalo and Joyce De Vera

Carla Villacorta, Marella Gayla, Annie Gayla and Joyce Restituto-Carlin.

Randy Gonzales

Jozen, Gina and Ryan Letada.

Momar Visaya, Lucille Javier, Mark Bustos and Don Tagala.

Vanessa Hong, Khristine Catacutan, Bobbie Yanoupeth and Henry Bae.

Rachelle Peraz Ocampo

Ayesha Vera Yu and Rafe Totengco.

Carla Villacorta and Mia Alvar.

Jerry Topitzer and Ayesha Vera-Yu.

Miguel Trinidad, Nicole Adrienne Ponseca, Kara and Tomas De Los Reyes.

Advancement for Rural Kids (ARK), a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, partners with communities in the developing world, creating innovative and sustainable solutions to get kids back to school, end hunger and malnutrition and providing marginalized communities with new income. For $15 per kid per year, ARK’s community-managed Feeding Program consists of a hot meal of protein and vegetables sourced fresh and daily from parents and other local farmers. ARK also funds $5 School Supplies and $50 High School Scholarship programs; and co-invests with communities on infrastructure and for profit projects. ARK is an all-volunteer organization with the Board underwriting its operating costs. For more information, visit www.ruralkids.org.