Last February, Brenda Ngo hosted a special lunch at Xiu Fine Cantonese Dining in Greenhills, bringing together close friends for a heartwarming celebration in honor of Atty. Sal Panelo and Robert Castañeda’s birthdays. The gathering was not only a tribute to the celebrants but also a joyful occasion, bridging the post-Chinese New Year festivities and the anticipation of Valentine’s Day.

Rey Campanilla, Brenda Ngo and Eddie Keng
Adding to the intimate and lively atmosphere were Brenda Ngo’s predominantly Filipino-Chinese friends from Canada, along with guests from the cast of the “Batang Quiapo” teleserye. Xiu, renowned for its authentic Hong Kong-style Chinese cuisine, provided the perfect setting for a memorable afternoon of camaraderie and celebration. One of the event’s highlights was a touching Valentine’s tradition in which husbands presented roses to their wives — a heartfelt gesture symbolizing love and devotion. This romantic moment added a special touch to an already festive gathering.

(Standing from left) Robert Castaneda, Brenda Ngo, William Ong, Earl Villarosa, (seated) Letty Ng and Loreta Tan

More than just a feast of fine cuisine, the lunch at Xiu was a celebration of cherished friendships, cultural traditions and meaningful connections — a beautiful way to honor birthdays, welcome the Lunar New Year and embrace the season of love.
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Meanwhile, one of Southeast Asia’s leading pet wellness brands, Dr. Shiba, officially launched Kind Kibble during a whimsical Willy Wonka-themed celebration at Japonesa in Poblacion, Makati, on Feb. 6. The evening transformed the venue into an imaginative wonderland where premium pet nutrition met playful innovation.

Dr. Shiba founder and CEO Philipp Renner shared the company’s journey and discussed what makes Kind Kibble a golden ticket for dog owners.

“Dr. Shiba’s journey has been deeply personal to me and our founder and COO, Tim (Michael), because we’re both fur dads. We realized that pet parents like ourselves had to struggle choosing between quality products and an accessible price,” Renner said. “That’s why it’s important for us to make our latest innovation, Kind Kibble, a balanced and complete nutrition option that more pet parents can afford.”

Kind Kibble is made with 56 percent high-quality fresh beef and enriched with superfoods like sweet potato and blueberries. It retails for P799 for a 2-kilogram pack, making premium pet nutrition accessible to more pet parents not only in the Philippines but also in select markets in Southeast Asia.
Dr. Shiba ambassador and Hollywood actress Liza Soberano attended the event to share how Kind Kibble has helped her care for her dog, Yuna, who is based in Los Angeles. “When I heard they were creating something new in their innovation factory, I couldn’t wait to try it. I literally had it shipped to LA!” she said enthusiastically.

The star-studded evening welcomed wellness guru and beauty pageant president Cory Quirino, award-winning fashion dog parent Eton Concepcion, and media personality James Deakin. Four-legged attendees arrived in their golden ticket-inspired finest, adding extra charm to the magical evening.
Founded in 2022, Dr. Shiba has grown from offering functional treats to becoming a comprehensive pet wellness brand, now available in more than 1,500 retail locations. Through its partnership with Pawssion Project, every purchase helps support animal rescue efforts — making each golden ticket count toward a greater cause.
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