Trust socialite and philanthropist Tessa Prieto-Valdes to throw the most exciting and wildest parties.
She hosted recently a “cougar”-themed dinner at her Makati City home, which had hunk Derek Ramsay as special guest. It also featured a male stripper and an erotic dancer and the sale of sex toys.
Tessa said the event was really for her dear friend Derek, who was promoting his latest drama series “For Love or Money” on TV5.
In the series, Derek is Edward, husband to Ritz Azul’s character Roselle. Both are ambitious and working hard to have a stable future.
But conflict arises when Edward, a fashion photographer, meets Kristine (Alice Dixson), a wealthy but older woman who offers to pay P10 million for a chance to spend 10 nights with him.
“When TV5 asked me to host a party to promote the show, my first concern was that most of the friends I wanted to invite were cougars! Luckily, they fit the theme of the story,” Tessa told the Inquirer.
Just like in all of Tessa’s parties, there were food and prizes. “For the ‘naughty’ games, I assigned friends to be members of Team Cougar and then Team Pussy Cat. Of course, Team Cougar won! (One of the) games was ‘Pin the Torpedo on the Sailor’; another was a race to put the most number of ‘rubber’ [on a dildo] while in handcuffs. I also had a room full of toys, or shall I say, pleasures of the heart,” she said.
Tessa explained that a “cougar” was slang for women who sought sexual relations with younger men, but not younger than 21. “Anything below that (age) is already illegal,” she said. “I personally don’t think I can go (for someone) that young. I’m really for love. After all the excitement, you got to have intelligent conversation.”
Tessa said, more than promoting Derek’s show, the party was really her way of thanking the actor for supporting her recent annual Red Charity Gala at the Makati Shangri-La.
Derek donated P300,000 to the Philippine Red Cross.
“We’ve decided to give most of what we collected to the victims of the earthquake in Bohol and Cebu,” Tessa said.
“Derek shared his blessings. Not only does he have those strong, sexy abs, he also has a super kind heart. I’m thinking that maybe he has dead toenails. He’s too perfect!” she quipped.
Derek, who attended the event with costars Ritz and Alice, said he was grateful for Tessa’s effort. “She allowed us to use her home to promote the show,” said the actor. “Tessa knew that [donating to charity] was something I’d be willing to do. She was the one who got me to spend. At least, I got to give to those who really needed help.”
Tessa’s male stripper arrived at 11:30 p.m. This was after a female erotic dancer gave guests a couple of pointers on strip teasing. “It’s really an art—just think you’re [American burlesque dancer] Dita Von Teese as you try to remove your clothes in the sexiest manner. Women who have been married for more than 20 years need to keep the love alive. You have to keep tempting the husband with wigs and toys. You have to win your man at all cost!”
Tessa asked Derek to stay a little longer, or at least until after the male stripper’s performance. “Dance for us later? You’re supposed to be the main show!” she prodded. But the actor left early to prepare for a morning shoot in Puerto Azul, “where I get to make love to the sexy Alice Dixson,” he beamed.
Also present during the event were TV5’s entertainment division head Wilma Galvante and Pilipinas Global Network’s head of operations Jeff Remigio. “For Love or Money,” with Mac Alejandre at the helm, airs every Thursday on TV5’s primetime block.
(E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph)