Smart celebrates Living More with the Smart Move Party

SMART Communications Inc. (Smart) recently held the Smart Move party at the Opus Restaurant and Lounge in Resorts World, Manila. The event was an exclusive gathering of loyal clients and new subscribers that have moved up from their former mobile service providers and have embraced the telco's mantra of “Living More.”

Hosts Marc Nelson and Sarah Meier welcomed guests to the evening's festivities, and asked some of Smart's charismatic celebrity ambassadors, such as the lovely Anne Curtis and the hilarious Ramon Bautista, to share what they love about being with the nation's top network.

Tessa Prieto Valdes’ Website Launch

When socialite, interior designer, newspaper columnist and triathlete Tessa Prieto Valdes throws a party, you can bet it is a successful one. Her website launch was no different as it was held at the Y2 Residence Hotel in Makati City, this time, with the famous manila sunset as the backdrop.

Watsons summer kickoff at Mall of Asia

IT WAS an exciting Sunday for mall-goers when Watsons launched its summer party last at the SM Mall of Asia Atrium. Thank goodness it was not a Sunday, so traffic was bearable.

MEGA goes digital on their 21st anniversary

MEGA magazine, the Philippine’s best fashion magazine, celebrated its 21st anniversary with the biggest names in fashion, showbiz, and lifestyle in a digital-themed bash at Opus Restaurant and Lounge.

Hong Kong’s Ava Restaurant

Glorious summer is here and the Holy Week is fast approaching. I know people make plans for this week because it is one of the longest weekends we have in this country. Apart from spiritual reflection, I know this is the time that families take on trips locally and abroad.

Oakley: "IT" Sunglasses of Summer 2013

It was a scorching hot summer afternoon at the residence of Rajiv Dargani as his pool area was made into a chic lounge area for the launch of the Oakley sunglasses as the IT sunglasses of this summer. It was the launch of the Spring/Summer eyewear collection

Models decked out in Oakley sunnies scattered around the pool area, with ambient house music played in the background. There were three female stylists from Sunglasses Hut who styled the guests with the sunnies that best fit them. A professional photobooth was waiting to capture their photo with their Oakley sunnies.

My Home Today launch

My Home, the Philippines’ number one home and shelter magazine, is once again breaking out of its pages and into television screens everywhere with the brand new season of My Home Today!

The season premier kicks off featuring Resort Living at its finest with father and son Architects Mike and Paul Pena first in line to show their masterpiece.

Hot and Sexy 2013 at the Metro Body Launch Party

Wander Woman always wants to be inspired so I cannot help looking at the Metro magazine body issue. I have this magazine at my bedside because it has the much anticipated Metro Body Issue—10 of the hottest young personalities in Philippine entertainment and fashion, led by Kapamilya heartthrob Enchong Dee.

Who will be the first Filipino to go to space?

AXE, the iconic men’s fragrance brand, recently launched its most ambitious project that will bring the country into the space age: the Axe Apollo Space Academy (AASA).

Bakers converge in Manila for 3-day fair

Baking trends, products and equipment will be the highlights of the three-day Bakery Fair Philippines 2013, an international exhibit on bakery, confectionery and food service which opened Thursday at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

The event, which will run until Saturday, is a forum where suppliers, small and large scale bakers, and buyers can meet on common ground and share information, ideas and latest products on baking.

Let’s travel now!

ONE of my favorite writing works is contributing to what used to be Lifestyle Asia Travel magazine, which has now been simply called TRAVEL. The magazine has emerged from being a high-end luxurious magazine, to one that contains content for all types of budget travel experiences. While we used to write about Four Seasons, the Banyan tree, Luxurious and Kenyan safaris, we now involve unique travel stories that need not break an arm and a leg.

Valentine’s at Pretty Estates

THIS Valentines, I would be very happy if I can spend it in Harrison Mills, British Columbia. There is a resort there called Rowena’s Inn, a very luxurious bed and breakfast. Rowena’s Inn is part of Pretty Estates Resort, Pretty, being the surname of the family who owns this vast track of land that has been known for bald eagle sightings. It is undoubtedly one of Fraser Valley’s most romantic boutique resorts. Rowena's Inn on the River is a natural work of art.

Shoephoric

SHOEPHORIC, a group of lovely ladies who all have a profound passion for shoes, gathered at Life Sciences at the Fort Bonifacio to start the year with kindred spirits.

Nurture Spa detox

I AM glad that in the Philippines, there is a hideaway in Tagaytay that offers not just the normal facials and massages, but therapeutic detoxification programs. Nurture Spa, voted by CNN Go as one of the 28 most relaxing spas in the Philippines is the best kept secret no more of this town.

One on one with Franck Provost

I AM privileged to have met countless interesting personalities with the work that I do. On some days, I get to hang with celebrities, politicians, and renowned business people. As much as possible, I try to learn as much as I can from these encounters.

Eyewear luxury at Four Seasons Bangkok

BANGKOK, Thailand was the venue for eyewear enthusiasts and businessmen who carry some of the world’s most luxurious brands in eyewear. De Rigo, an eyewear distributor of top brands like Escada, Lanvin, Chopard, Furla, Ermenegildo Zegna and Police, invited friends from the trade to attend the annual showcasing of the newest collections of the much coveted brands.

Amanda Griffin-Jacob baby shower

The year 2012 has been a fantastic year for me. It was a year of being able to check a lot of boxes in my bucket list. Some of which include traveling to Russia with my best friend, living on my own in a foreign country, joining the festivities of the summer Olympics in London, doing a cameo for a movie,being a brand ambassador for a beauty product,and opening two new restaurants.

Filipino gathering in Vancouver

I always notice that every Filipino gathering has to have the ubiquitous lumpiang shanghai, barbecue, lechon and sweet Filipino style spaghetti with hotdog and cheese.

London’s Mahiki and pornstar martini

A GOOD night out is a fantastic mix of meeting new friends and having a good time with old friends. I am still reeling from the incredible feeling of having to have witnessed the London Summer Olympics this year, for it was truly a dream come true for me. That is one check on my bucket list and as I look back at 2012, I can only shake my head in disbelief of what a blessed year this was for me.

Dingdong Dantes dazzles in Breitling

UNDOUBTEDLY one of the entertainment industry’s most bankable actors, Dingdong Dantes lives a very busy lifestyle. But occasionally, Dingdong likes to take a break from the showbiz hubbub by going on a vacation or experiencing adventures to different places.

Like any guy, Dingdong is fond of gadgets and in particular, he likes wearing timepieces that can withstand the test of time. He especially likes watches that he can wear anytime, anywhere, whether he’s attending a party, shooting a TV show, or just relaxing during a holiday.

The Johnnie Walker Voyager

JOHN Walker & Sons Voyager, the iconic ocean journey across Asia Pacific that seeks to present a game changing experience for the most progressive of individuals, finally arrives in Manila. The luxury yacht gathered Manila’s crème de la crème to experience the pinnacle of luxury craftsmanship, heritage and modern innovation, and launch the new rare triple malt, John Walker & Sons Odyssey.

Italian festival at Makati Shangri-La

I BROUGHT my friend Carminia to an intimate dinner of Italian specialties at the Makati Shangri-La, Manila as it brought the prestige, culture and cuisine of Italy during the launch of the Italian Festival celebration. We enjoyed a special degustation dinner menu at Red restaurant, exquisitely prepared by Italian guest chef Paolo Bodon, paired with Italian wines chosen by the hotel’s Head Sommelier, Daniel Blais.

Lo*VE collection

Lo*VE collection, which stands for LOrin and Venice Bektas was a hit!

Almost all clothes are sold out. Clothes are colorful displays of fuschia, pink, aqua, orange. And the clothes are beautifully bejeweled-perfect for the little princesses!

Miss Earth 2012 at Don Henrico's Glorietta

THE candidates of Miss Earth 2012 were recently feted to a get together before intense competition and more training to prepare them in the Miss Earth competition.

Kasbah opening party

IF YOU have been to our very own Boracay island, touted to be one of the world’s best islands especially for partying, you have surely been to Kasbah, that exotic restaurant that serves Moroccan cuisine, and the island’s place to party and smoke sisha.

Goodylicious afternoon

GOODY is the most widely recognized manufacturer of hair accessories and styling tools in the world. Goody offers an inspiring range of hair accessories and innovative styling tools to help women express their hairstyle any way they want.

The Come Play with Goody Styling, Modeling and Blogging, and Fashion Show Audition is dedicated to Goody Girls who want to develop their self-confidence and self-expression through fashion and beauty.

V Kool opening in Manila

WITH the green revolution on sweeping through the country, the opening of V Kool in Manila was much anticipated. “The Advent of V-KOOL in Philippines,” with the unveiling of the launch of the first V-KOOL full-fledged green store concept in Otis, Manila, headed by V-KOOL Philippines Inc. President Mr. Willy Q. Tee Ten and General Manager Mr. Lordan P. Marco, was one night to remember.

Veejay Floresca’s fashion farewell at Prive luxury club

VEEJAY Floresca, a talented young designer whom I met at a birthday dinner at Le Souffle, even before he became as popular as he is now, has always remained humble, and easy to talk to. Their video became viral as he and his friends uploaded their video watching the Miss Universe contest when Venus Raj represented the Philippines two years ago – their video has a little over three million hits. The video is just the tip of the iceberg in showing that Veejay has passion – both for the connecting worlds of beauty and fashion.

Pureology Hydrate line

ONE of the fastest ways we can change our looks is by hair color. Ombre, a touch of blonde, a drastic brunette change, or a darkening of our original tresses gives instant makeovers.

All over the world, women and men continue to color their hair to enhance their looks, change their appearance, or simply to feel more beautiful. However, maintaining one’s color-treated hair can sometimes be a challenge.

Olympian fans from Visayas

IN LONDON, I met up with my Bisaya friends from Bohol. I was so glad that RG called me to have mass with him and Eric at the Westminster Cathedral in Victoria, which is different from the Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Kate Middleton got married.