Known for its glitz and glamour, Macau was the perfect setting for the invitation-only “Time to Shine – The Inaugural Macau Award Night.”
The star-studded event was held in Macau last month to mark Gafencu’s efforts to broaden its horizons beyond mainland China and Hong Kong. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Gafencu Awards, which recognised the unique achievements of some of Macau’s outstanding professionals.
The exclusive guest list at the award night read like a who’s who of glitterati and notable faces from Macau and Hong Kong social circles.
Guests included Heidi Chan, Albert Wong, Andy Wong, Amanda Lui and many more.
Upon arriving at the Four Seasons Hotel Macao, guests were greeted by flashing cameras as they posed for photos before heading to the foyer of the Lotus Ballroom for some fine wine and cocktails.
The ballroom was tastefully decorated with rose petals, gothic-style candles on each table and chandeliers suspended from the ceiling. Giant billboard photos of past Gafencu cover stars adorned the walls.
Lina Ross Mohindar, founder of Total Media, kicked off the evening with an opening speech outlining the luxury lifestyle magazine’s vision to establish a stronger foothold in Macau.
Mohindar also announced the launch of iBonton, a new platform that puts luxury at your fingertips by matching your lifestyle preferences with the world’s most luxurious brands. The iBonton digital hub is now live on smartphones and tablets operating on iOS and Android systems.
After guests had finished their delicious first course, focus turned to the presentation of the Gafencu Awards. The awards honoured some of Macau’s most inspiring businessmen and women and also recognised the growing importance of Macau as an international hub for business, entertainment and culture.
Total Media has held similar awards in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, but this year was the first time that a number of outstanding individuals in Macau were honoured.
Emcees Jerry Leung and Linda Kennedy, who kept guests entertained all night, introduced the winners.
Heidi Chan was the first winner of the night, receiving the Charity Award for her diverse and far-reaching philanthropic endeavours. Chan has a long association with Yan Oi Tong and is the vice chairperson of its current Board of Directors. She is also the president of the Kwang Wai Charity Association. Moreover, she holds esteemed managerial positions in several non-profit organisations including the Macau Fok Kin Overseas Friendship Association, the Macau Chengdu Overseas Friendship Association, the Macao Kam Cheang Youth Association, the Cross Strait Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Macau, the United World Chinese Association and many more.
Next up was Raymond Vong, who received the Hospitality Award for his work putting his restaurants, Henri’s Galley Maxim’s and Bravo Palace, firmly on the culinary map of Macau.
The third and final prize of the night, the Legacy Award, went to Vivian Lou for her work as the director of Zoneland Group Macau Limited, the deputy chairman of Chongshan Zoneland Real Estate Development Co. Limited and the president of Yihe Grand Hotel Limited. Lou also established the Macy Aesthetic Medical Center in Macau and the Single Medical Aesthetics Clinic in Shanghai.
All the winners were congratulated for their outstanding work in their chosen fields.
The sponsors also played an integral role in making the evening a success. They included Greens Kitchen & Juicery, Omtis Fine Wines, Suncity Group, Ventris, Butani, Vine Vera, Cross, Tod and Zenith.
After the award ceremony, Hong Kong-Canadian singer Joyce Cheng, who also performed at the Gafencu Ball in Hong Kong last year, wowed the crowd with three of her hits and a cover of a Lady Gaga song.
Once the guests had polished off the remaining mouth-watering dishes, they were invited to bid on various luxury items in a live auction. Some of the items included floral chandelier earrings with 23.21-carat centre diamonds; a bangle with a white rose-cut diamond and yellow diamonds in 18-carat white gold; and an El Primero – Doublematic 45 mm watch with an RG case and silver-toned dial by Zenith, to name just a few.
In addition, five lucky people also walked away with prizes from the lucky draw.
The night didn’t end there, though. A live band made sure that any guests who were still in the party mood could dance until the early hours. After all, it was a time to shine – both on and off the dance floor.
Text: Andrew Scott