Each of our RICE BALLS looks and feels like a breezy, charming, effortless affair – high on enjoyment and entertainment value. That’s how it’s meant to be, of course. But a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to put the entire event together.
“The challenge the committee faces every year is how to out-do ourselves to produce an even better gala next year!” noted Kitch Lum, our champion organiser since 2002, before this year’s (Very) Royal Ball. [Read our full interview with Kitch here.]
In the months leading up to the twelth edition of our annual fundraising event on 4 October 2013, the members of our incredibly devoted organising committee sorted out menus, invitations and items for the show.
They sampled delicious dishes prepared for our guests by Colin Buchan, Head Chef of the Michelin-starred restaurant Pollen…
Rehearsed long and hard to ensure that the night’s revelries would go off without a hitch…
Decorated Shangri-La Hotel’s Island Ballroom in lavish, gorgeous style…
And pulled off a night of glitz and glamour, designed especially for all the generous souls who made the (Very) Royal Ball our most successful ball to date!
We could not have pulled it all together without the kind support of our presenting sponsor Hublot, which was represented on the night by Jean-Claude Biver, the Chairman of the company’s administrative board.
“W!LD RICE comprises individuals who have a strong passion for everything they do,” explained Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot. “That’s something that we respect and value.”
Hublot designed the King Power Royale – an exquisite piece unique timepiece – exclusively for the Ball. “It’s a way for us to show our support and to cement our partnership,” noted Mr. Guadalupe. “We believe in long-term investments and we have a sense that this relationship we’ve built with W!LD RICE will certainly be for the long run.” [More from our interview with Mr. Guadalupe here.]
By the end of the night, the silent auction for the King Power Royale had fetched S$43,000 from a generous benefactor who prefers to remain anonymous.
Hublot’s timepieces were paired with design maestro Frederick Lee’s haute couture creations in a dazzling runway show, which kicked off the evening’s programme.
Hosted by veteran performer Pam Oei, the Royal Command Variety Performance featured exhilarating numbers starring Ivan Heng, Hossan Leong, Matilda d’Silva, and nine-year-old Lauren Yeo, whose performance of O Mio Babbino Caro received a standing ovation.
Guests at the Ball enjoyed a sumptuous five-course dinner prepared especially by Colin Buchan, in collaboration with Shangri-La Hotel’s Executive Chef.
“We’re enormously thrilled with the success we’ve had with The (Very) Royal Ball, the proceeds of which will go towards funding our work in the coming year,” Ivan remarked.
“Frankly, it would be impossible for W!LD RICE to do the work we do if we did not enjoy the support of all our generous benefactors. The arts scene in Singapore would be all the poorer without them.”
