A special Vega Sicilia dinner

Terry Selection has built a 12-year relationship with Bodegas Vega Sicilia, one of the most notable Spanish wines in the region of Castilla y León, north of Spain. 

Well, with its D.O.C. (Denominacion de Origen) stature in Valladolid, Terry Selection Inc. (TSI) opened its gracious doors once again to Bodegas Vega Sicilia general manager of sales and marketing Antonio Menendez, who breezed through Manila from Shanghai and Hong Kong before attending another Vega Sicilia event in the Maldives.

Menendez was quick to point out the importance of the Philippine presence for Vega Sicilia. The highlight of his trip to the Philippines was marked by the vertical wine tasting session of Valbuena 5, covering the vintages of 2006 until 2011.

The celebratory event was also made a special Terry Bistro food-pairing menu by Juan Carlos de Terry, who insisted that TSI carry the exclusive brand. The stellar dishes included platters of  Iberico Bellota Delights; Lomo de bacalao de islandiaen ragu de ajos tiernos al crujiente de hojaldre (cod belly in flaky pastry); Suprema de cordero en chilindron de Rioja al balsamo de macan (lamb with balsamic and Rioja sauce); and  trio de quesos ancestrales (three aged cheeses).

The food journey was paired aptly with vintages of Oremus 2013, Mandolas Furmint 2012, Macan 2012  and Unico Reserva 2007 all produced by Bodegas Vega Sicilia. The fabulous dinner was capped with Marquesa de melocoton de Calanda ala matalahuga Coulis de miel al mangostan y serrin de jengibre  (Calanda peach and anised marquise, mangosteen-infused Honey Coulis and ginger dust) and paired with 2003 Oremus Aszu Six Puttonyos nonetheless.

Vega Sicilia remains to be a favorite among Filipino wine collectors and enthusiasts in the hotel, resorts and catering fields. And to address the early Holiday wine demand, the 2017 Valbuena vintage is set to arrive in Manila soon.

(Visit www.terryselection.com.)

Louis XIII private client director for Southeast Asia Chris Kwek.

Louis XIII dinner experience

Recently, cognac brand Louis XIII feted friends from the media to a remarkable dinner experience in Old Manila at the Peninsula Manila in Makati City.

Louis XIII is considered the “King of Cognacs” because it uses only grapes from the Grande Champagne territory of Cognac, France. It is from a fine selection of 1,200 eaux-de-vies of which some had been aged ranging from 40 years up to even 100 years. It is then masterfully blended and further aged in oak casks in its own cellars.

Every luxurious drop of Louis XIII is contained in special crystal decanters. Each decanter is exclusively hand-crafted by Baccarat, sealed in gold foil and cork top and comes with a matching crystal stopper specific for each bottle. It comes encased in a red bespoke leather presentation box.

Prior to dinner, a special teaser of the film 100 Years: The Movie You Will Never See was shown. The film was written and starred by John Malkovich and helmed by director Robert Rodriguez. The film will be kept in storage in a special container that will be opened only in the year 2115 (yes, exactly 98 years from now) for a by-invitation only screening.

Guests enjoyed a specially prepared menu that started with heirloom tomato salad. It was followed by a rich sweet corn veloute with baby corn, roasted, pureed and popcorn. For the main course, it was a choice of either crispy seared barramundi with barley risotto or slow-cooked organic chicken with stone fruit couscous and chicken jus. Dessert was a luscious homemade baklava with date cream and pistachio ice cream.

The highlight of the evening was the ceremonial bottle opening and special sampling of Louis XIII masterfully officiated by Chris Kwek, the brand’s private client director for Southeast Asia.  Kwek said, “Louis XIII is not just a cognac, it’s a lifestyle.”

Guests were enthralled by the elegant toasting in bespoke crystal Christophe Pillet glasses, resonantly clinking during the course of the evening.

Essilor Philippines GM Dr. Emelita Roleda and Eye Can Succeed campaign ambassador Piolo Pascual.

‘Eye can succeed’

With its commitment to provide vision solutions and eye care services to underserved communities, Essilor Vision Foundation (EVF), led by its brand ambassador Piolo Pascual, launched the “Eye Can Succeed” campaign.

The groundbreaking event, which aims to help students achieve better vision as a means to successful lives, was  able to help 4,000 students of Rizal High School in Pasig City receive free eye examinations and prescription glasses during the launch.

Essilor Philippines marketing manager and Rizal High School alumna Jinky Navo said, “We are very grateful for Rizal High School for allowing us to open our advocacy campaign here. This activity has enabled us to help thousands of Filipino students achieve clearer, better vision as they strive towards better lives.” 

Piolo Pascual shared, “Through Eye Can Succeed, we hope to make students’ daily tasks easier to do. Surely, the free eye check-up and prescription glasses will play a big role to help every student achieve his or her dreams.”

Present during the event were representatives from EVF, ASEAN coordinator Germaine Lye and associate director of communications Lauren Wyper and Rizal High School principal Virginia Membrebe.

With the assistance of volunteer optometrists, the students went through a series of eye examinations to ensure their eye health. Those who showed signs of vision problems were given free prescription glasses.

(For more information about EVF and the Eye Can Succeed campaign, visit www.essilor.com.ph or @EssilorPH on Facebook and Instagram.)

Ever Bilena Advance brand manager Creole David and Ever Bilena brand manager Christel Roca.

Bold & beautiful

Makeup fanatics and enthusiasts trooped to Whitespace  in Makati City recently for Ever Bilena’s Bold Beauty event, which allowed them to use Ever Bilena and Ever Bilena Advance products to interpret their chosen makeup peg.

Participants were given cheat sheets of the products to use to achieve their desired make-up look, which ranged from simple and feminine to fun and outrageous. A mini-photo shoot for the participants was held after the makeup session.

Present during the event were Ever Bilena Cosmetics Inc. executives led by CEO Dioceldo Sy, key accounts manager Denice Sy, marketing manager Olive Padilla, Ever Bilena brand manager Christel Roca and Ever Bilena Advance brand manager Creole David.

“This event is for everyone. It is staged to show that the products that we carry for both Ever Bilena and Ever Bilena Advance are comparable to high-end brands. We are here to show you that you can achieve these trendy looks with our products,”  David said.

Roca added, “Ever Bilena and Ever Bilena Advance want to encourage Filipinas to tap into their fun, playful and adventurous side. This event was the perfect avenue to express that side of them.”

(For more information, visit www.everbilena.com.ph, www.facebook.com/everbilenacosmetics and www.facebook.com/EBAdvance.)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)